NICB Disappointed by Gov. Brown's Veto

Legislation Would Have Allowed Car Rental Companies to More Quickly Report Vehicle Theft

DES PLAINES, Ill., Sept. 17, 2018 — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is expressing disappointment in Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s August 27 veto of Assembly Bill 2169. Assembly Bill 2169 reduces the time from five days to 48 hours, following the expiration of the rental period, before a vehicle rental company may report a vehicle stolen.  

In his veto message, Governor Brown cites increased use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and unnamed "other solutions" as better approaches.

While GPS technology certainly is one tool in curbing automobile theft, it is an exponentially useless tool if California car rental companies cannot report the vehicle stolen. Worse, criminals are becoming more skilled in locating and disabling GPS technology. 

"Every passing day a car rental company cannot report their vehicle stolen, the likelihood of that vehicle being recovered decreases," says Joseph H. Wehrle, Jr., NICB President and Chief Executive Officer. "Car rental companies can watch, in real time, their stolen vehicle taken over the U.S.-Mexico border with little recourse."

According to NICB's annual Hot Spots vehicle theft report, five of the top 10 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), adjusted for population, for auto theft are located in California: Redding (4), Bakersfield (6), Modesto (7), Stockton-Lodi (8), and Yuba City (9).

Assembly Bill 2169 passed both California legislative chambers with only one dissenting vote. The NICB applauds sponsor Assemblyman Randy Voepel and the California legislature for taking a step in the right direction toward reducing California auto theft, and looks forward to the legislation being reintroduced.

To access the NICB's Hot Spots Vehicle Theft Report, please visit: nicb.org/news.