AB 382, allows cities and counties to lower school zone speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph through 2031. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA (MPG) - California ushered in a new set of laws this week, and while many were shaped by urban concerns, several will still influence daily life in rural Northern California.

Under Assembly Bill 1087, signed in 2024, probation terms for individuals convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated will increase from two years to between three and five years. Lawmakers said the change is intended to strengthen deterrence and bring sentencing in line with similar offenses.

Traffic safety rules will also expand. AB 390 broadens California’s “slow down and move over” requirement to include any stationary vehicle using hazard lights, not just emergency or tow trucks. Drivers must reduce speed and change lanes when safe, a shift the California Highway Patrol says is intended to reduce roadside collisions. 

Another measure, AB 382, allows cities and counties to lower school zone speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph through 2031, giving rural districts more flexibility on streets where children often walk or bike.

Assembly Bill 1299, authored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) allows cities and counties to waive or reduce parking penalties for low income and homeless residents and requires agencies to offer payment plans upon request. Lawmakers said the change is intended to keep “vulnerable” Californians from falling into escalating fines, towing, or vehicle loss that can make it harder to keep jobs, attend school, or access services. 

California is also targeting tools used in property crimes. AB 1085 establishes a $1,000 infraction for manufacturing devices designed to obscure or interfere with automated license plate readers. Senate Bill 586 formally classifies off highway electric motorcycles, known as eMotos, as off highway vehicles, requiring helmets, DMV issued ID plates, and compliance with existing OHV rules.

Electric bicycle riders will see new requirements under AB 544, which mandates a rear red reflector or red light at all times. Minors who receive helmet citations may also be required to complete an online safety course developed by the California Highway Patrol.

Consumer protections are expanding statewide. New rules eliminate thicker reusable plastic bags under California’s existing plastic bag ban, and AB 578 requires food delivery platforms to provide full refunds for missing or incorrect orders, disclose itemized pay and tips to drivers, and offer human customer service when automated systems fail. 

Individually, these laws may not dramatically reshape rural communities. But together, legislators say they will set the stage for policy shifts that will reach every corner of the state, from its largest cities to its smallest agricultural towns.