Specialized license plates: The Lowrider.

The DMV is removed from the plate design process. The old version required the department to design plates in consultation with the Arts Council and approve the design. The new version simply requires that the design reflect lowrider culture and heritage, placing the design responsibility primarily with the Arts Council.

Nonprofit consultation for plate design, stakeholder engagement, publicity, and community outreach changed from permissive ('may consult') to mandatory ('shall consult'). Three specific criteria were added defining qualifying nonprofits: Latino arts/cultural preservation related to lowrider imagery, promoting lowrider culture through youth programs/exhibitions/events, and educational initiatives celebrating lowrider history.

The source of donated or licensed artwork changed from 'California artists' (individuals) to 'a nonprofit entity,' narrowing who can provide artwork for the plate design.

Nonprofit selection criteria changed from prioritizing entities 'with a mission of supporting the lowrider community and Latino culture' to those 'with a history of supporting the lowrider community, Latino culture, and youth development.' This shifts focus from stated mission to demonstrated track record and adds youth development as a consideration.

Removed a provision that allowed a nonprofit entity, upon Arts Council approval, to assist in reviewing and administering grants and to request a 4-to-6-percent administrative fee for doing so. This eliminates a potential revenue-sharing mechanism with nonprofits.

Removed an explicit provision stating that fees under Section 5157 would be imposed for issuance, renewal, or transfer of the plates. This is likely redundant since Section 5157 already imposes fees on all specialized license plates.

The requirement for the Arts Council to consult with a nonprofit entity for plate design consultation, stakeholder engagement, publicity, and community outreach was changed from optional ('may consult') to mandatory ('shall consult'). The new language also specifies that the nonprofit must engage in Latino arts and cultural preservation related to lowrider imagery, promoting lowrider culture through youth programs or public exhibitions, or educational initiatives celebrating lowrider history.

A new revenue mechanism was added requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to deposit additional revenue from issuance, renewal, transfer, and substitution of The Lowrider plate into the Specialized License Plate Fund in the State Treasury after deducting administrative costs. The Arts Council then uses those funds upon legislative appropriation.

The 4-6 percent fee provision was restructured. Previously it applied only to entities assisting in grant review and administration. Now the council may use 4-6 percent of appropriated funds to consult with or enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity to support overall program implementation, which is a broader scope.

A new provision allows a nonprofit to use funds to support a project operating under a fiscal sponsorship agreement, creating a new pathway for organizations without direct grantmaking capacity to access funding.

The priority criterion for selecting nonprofits was expanded from entities 'with a mission of supporting the lowrider community and Latino culture' to entities 'with a history of supporting the lowrider community, Latino culture, and youth development,' adding both a track record requirement and youth development as a factor.

A new provision states that the Arts Council shall retain final authority over application review, funding decisions, and program oversight of any consultation or agreement with a nonprofit entity, clarifying the council's control over the program.

The artwork provision was expanded from accepting only 'donated artwork' to accepting 'donated or licensed artwork' from California artists, broadening the types of creative works that can be used for plate design.

The bill was restructured from creating a standalone Lowrider License Plate Program (Section 5073) to adding a specialized license plate under the existing program framework (Section 5167, referencing Section 5156 requirements). This means the plate now follows standard specialized plate rules rather than having its own independent program structure.

The custom fee schedule ($50 issuance, $40 renewal, $15 transfer, $35 replacement, $38 retention) was eliminated. The bill now simply references the fees specified in Section 5157, which are the standard specialized plate fees.

The Lowrider Arts and Culture Fund established in the State Treasury was eliminated. Proceeds now flow through the existing Section 5157(c) mechanism directly to the Arts Council upon legislative appropriation.

New subsection (b)(2)(C) authorizes the Department and Arts Council to use funds from nonprofit or private sources to augment implementation of the plate program.

New subsection (c)(2)(C) authorizes a nonprofit entity, upon Arts Council approval, to assist in review and administration of grants, with the ability to request and qualify for a 4 percent to 6 percent administrative fee.

The requirement of 7,500 paid applications by January 1, 2032 with a refund provision if not met was removed. The bill now simply requires the Arts Council to satisfy the existing Section 5156 requirements for specialized plates.

New subsection (b)(2)(A) allows the Department and Arts Council to consult with a nonprofit entity with a mission of supporting the lowrider community and Latino culture for plate design consultation, stakeholder engagement, publicity, and community outreach.

New subsection (b)(2)(B) allows the Department and Arts Council to accept and use donated artwork from California artists for the plate design.

Removed the amendment to Vehicle Code Section 9400, which made technical, nonsubstantive changes to commercial vehicle weight fee provisions. The bill no longer touches vehicle weight fees.

Added new Vehicle Code Section 5167 requiring the Arts Council to apply to DMV to sponsor 'The Lowrider' specialized license plate under the existing specialized license plate framework (Section 5156). This creates a second, separate pathway for a lowrider plate alongside the standalone program in Section 5073.

Under new Section 5167, proceeds from 'The Lowrider' specialized plate fees (set by Section 5157) go to the Arts Council upon legislative appropriation to fund lowrider arts, cultural preservation, youth engagement, public exhibitions, community-based cultural events, and educational initiatives. The Arts Council must prioritize nonprofit entities with a mission of supporting the lowrider community and Latino culture.

The fiscal committee requirement changed from 'no' to 'yes,' meaning the bill now requires review by the Legislative Fiscal Committee before proceeding.

Added multiple Assembly and Senate coauthors (Alanis, Blanca Rubio, Arambula, Bryan, Caloza, Carrillo, Elhawary, Krell, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Quirk-Silva, Michelle Rodriguez, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Tangipa; Senators Caballero, Hurtado, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguin, Cortese, Durazo, Grove, Rubio, and Umberg).

Adds an entirely new Section 5073 to the Vehicle Code establishing the Lowrider License Plate Program, expanding the bill from a technical vehicle fee cleanup to a cultural licensing and funding initiative.

Establishes the Lowrider Arts and Culture Fund in the State Treasury. After deducting administrative costs, all net revenues from plate fees are deposited into this fund. Moneys are available upon legislative appropriation to the Arts Council for lowrider arts, cultural preservation, youth engagement, public exhibitions, community events, and educational initiatives.

Fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' reflecting that the bill now has fiscal implications due to the new fund and fee structure.

Sets a fee schedule for Lowrider Plates: $50 for original issuance, $40 for renewal, $15 for transfer to another vehicle, $35 for each substitute replacement plate, and $38 for retention when renewal fees are not required.

Requires at least 7,500 paid applications before the DMV may issue plates. The DMV has until January 1, 2032 to reach that threshold; if not met, all collected fees must be refunded. Plates are not available for vehicles exempt from registration fees under Vehicle Code Sections 9101 or 9103.

Adds legislative findings (Section 1) recognizing lowrider culture as a uniquely Californian tradition originating in the mid-1940s, its connection to the Chicano movement, the role of women in car clubs, and the growing diversity of cruising communities.

Fixes drafting errors in Section 9400: corrects 'is does not applicable apply' to 'does not apply,' corrects 'in this state the state' to 'in the state,' and makes minor wording adjustments. No substantive change to fee amounts.