Assemblymember Haney presented AB 1190 to address consumer complaints about online registration services that use third-party websites on behalf of the DMV, saying some sites charge large, undisclosed fees and mimic the official DMV interface.

Under the bill as amended and discussed in committee, online “second-line” business partners that process registration renewals would be subject to a fee cap of $29 per transaction (the same cap currently applied to certain first-line partners, such as dealers) and must display a prominent link to the DMV’s official website and a clear disclosure that the same service is available from the DMV without the added fee.

The bill’s nut graf: AB 1190 is limited to online registration renewals processed by second-line business partners; sponsors say the measure brings parity and consumer protections that already apply to other DMV vendor relationships and curbs “junk fees” and deceptive websites.

Supporters included consumer groups and low-income advocate organizations. Robert Harrell of the Consumer Federation of California described problem cases in which consumers paid hundreds of dollars in hidden or misleading fees after visiting websites that closely resembled the DMV site. The author and witnesses said the proposal was narrowed during negotiations to focus on online registration renewals and to apply an existing $29 cap, rather than a broader percentage-based cap earlier proposed.

Opposition witnesses included representatives of online service providers and industry groups that process registrations. They said the cap would affect small-business operators that provide assisted services (telephone, in‑person help, call centers) and incur staffing, technology and compliance costs. Industry witnesses asked for continued dialogue on how to preserve consumer protections while avoiding a fee cap that could drive some vendors out of business.

Committee action: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 1190 to the Committee on Appropriations; committee staff recorded the item and took the vote for the record during the hearing. The author said the bill had been narrowed and worked with stakeholders to limit scope to online registration renewals.

Why it matters: Millions of registration transactions take place annually; sponsors said users — often seniors and low-income Californians — can be misled by sites that resemble official government pages and then charged high fees. The bill aims to limit fees for an essential government transaction and require clearer disclosure.

What’s next: AB 1190 was advanced to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal analysis and additional stakeholder negotiation; author and consumer groups said they would continue to work with industry on implementation details.