Senate passes SB 26, a cleanup to AB 1755 'lemon law' procedures

The California State Senate on Thursday passed SB 26, a bill described by its author, Senator Umberg, as a cleanup to Assembly Bill 1755, the statute that reformed how lemon‑law civil cases are handled.

Senator Umberg said AB 1755 had been intended to expedite litigation and restitution for consumers but had coincided with an “explosion” of civil filings in some counties; he cited that roughly 10% of filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court were lemon‑law cases. SB 26, he said, addresses concerns with AB 1755 and gives manufacturers additional options to opt into or opt out of the expedited processes created under AB 1755.

Senator Ashby, who said he was among those not initially supportive of AB 1755, told the Senate he supported SB 26 as an appropriate cleanup that had been amended by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. Umberg acknowledged those committee amendments and urged an Aye vote.

The bill was read on the Senate floor as an urgency measure to take effect immediately. The transcript records the Senate completing the required roll call and, on the urgency vote, recording 35 ayes and no votes against; the presiding officer declared the measure passed on the urgency vote. The author said the amendments improved the bill and asked members to vote Aye.

The transcript does not record additional implementation details or funding attached to SB 26; the measure was presented as a statutory cleanup to an existing statutory framework (AB 1755).

Speakers recorded on this item included Senator Umberg (bill author) and Senator Ashby (commenting member).