AB2541 - Specialized license plates: The Lowrider.

Assembly Bill No. 2541 CHAPTER 243 An act to add Section 5167 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. [ Approved by Governor September 16, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 16, 2026. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2541, Mark González. Specialized license plates: The Lowrider. Existing law establishes a specialized license plate program and requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialized license plates, also referred to as environmental license plates, on behalf of a sponsoring state agency if the agency receives 7,500 applications for that plate within a 12-month period, among other requirements. Existing law authorizes a person who is the registered owner or lessee of a vehicle to apply to the department for specialized license plates. Existing law imposes a fee, in addition to the regular registration fee, for the issuance, renewal, retention, transfer, and duplication of specialized license plates. Existing law requires that all revenue derived from these fees be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund. This bill would require the Arts Council to apply to the department to sponsor “The Lowrider” specialized license plate program, as specified. The bill would require the design of the plate to reflect lowrider culture and heritage. The bill would require the council to consult with a nonprofit entity for plate design consultation, stakeholder engagement, publicity, and community outreach. The bill would authorize the council to accept and use donated or licensed artwork from a nonprofit entity for these purposes, and to use funds from nonprofit or private sources to augment implementation. The bill would require the department, after deducting its administrative costs, to deposit additional revenue derived from the issuance, renewal, transfer, and substitution of the plate into the Specialized License Plate Fund in the State Treasury. The bill would require the council to use those funds, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to fund projects that include, among others, supporting lowrider arts and cultural preservation efforts. The bill would authorize the council to use 4 to 6% of those funds to consult with or enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity to support implementation of the program. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California’s strength lies in its rich cultural diversity, and the state’s Latino community has made profound contributions to California’s social, artistic, and civic life. (b) Lowriding originated in California in the mid-1940s in Los Angeles and grew alongside the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s as both an artistic expression and a statement of cultural identity during a time of inequality and segregation. (c) Lowrider vehicles are handcrafted works of art that reflect cultural history, folklore, faith traditions, and personal storytelling, representing a unique and enduring form of Latino artistic expression. (d) Lowrider car clubs have long supported their communities through charitable events, public health initiatives, civic engagement, and collaboration with local leaders to promote safe and positive community gatherings. (e) The Legislature has recognized the cultural significance of lowriding by declaring the first Sunday of summer to be observed as California Lowrider Day through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 102 of the 2023–24 Regular Session, celebrating the history, artistry, and community impact of lowrider culture. (f) The Legislature has recognized the prominent role that women have always had in the lowrider car scene and the proliferation of women’s car clubs as a space for women who want to drive and work on their own lowrider cars so that other young women can see that it is possible for women to be behind the wheel too. (g) While cruising is most popular among Latinos, cruising is becoming increasingly popular among many other groups, including Armenians, African Americans, and Persians across the state. (h) Establishing The Lowrider specialized license plate will further honor this uniquely Californian cultural tradition while generating funding to support lowrider arts and cultural programs administered through the Arts Council. SEC. 2. Section 5167 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 5167. (a) (1) The Arts Council shall apply to the department to sponsor “The Lowrider” specialized license plate program pursuant to this article. (2) The design of the plates shall reflect lowrider culture and heritage. (3) For the purposes of plate design consultation, stakeholder engagement, publicity, and community outreach, the council shall consult with a nonprofit entity that engages in any of the following: (A) Latino arts and cultural preservation related to lowrider imagery and culture. (B) Promoting lowrider culture through youth engagement programs, public exhibitions, or community based cultural events. (C) Educational initiatives that celebrate and maintain the history and cultural contributions of California’s lowriders and diverse communities. (4) The council may accept and use donated or licensed artwork from a nonprofit entity. (5) The council may use funds from nonprofit or private sources to augment implementation of the program. (b) (1) After deducting its administrative costs pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5157, the department shall deposit the additional revenue derived from the issuance, renewal, transfer, and substitution of “The Lowrider” specialized license plate into the Specialized License Plate Fund in the State Treasury. (2) Except as authorized under Section 5159, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the council shall use the funds deposited in the fund pursuant to paragraph (1) to fund projects related to the purpose of supporting lowrider arts, cultural preservation efforts, youth engagement programs, public exhibitions, community-based cultural events, and educational initiatives that celebrate and preserve the history and cultural contributions of lowrider communities in California. (c) (1) The council may use 4 to 6 percent, inclusive, of the funds appropriated to “The Lowrider” specialized plate program pursuant to subdivision (b) to consult with or enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity to support implementation of the program. (2) (A) In selecting entities pursuant to paragraph (1), the council shall prioritize nonprofit entities with a history of supporting the lowrider community, Latino culture, and youth development. (B) The nonprofit may use funds to support a project operating under a fiscal sponsorship agreement. (3) The council shall retain final authority over application review, funding decisions, and program oversight of a consultation or agreement described in paragraph (1).