Title
Title
Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules | 2026 Edition for Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
The Traffic Advisory Committee recommends adopting the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition: Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing (Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules or UBPS). Vehicle Code section 40310 mandates that the Judicial Council annually adopt a uniform traffic penalty schedule for all nonparking Vehicle Code infractions. Additionally, Penal Code section 1269b(c) requires all trial courts annually to revise and adopt a countywide schedule of penalties for all felony, misdemeanor, and infraction offenses, except Vehicle Code infractions. Rule 4.102 of the California Rules of Court also provides that, when revising and adopting the schedules, counties “give consideration to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules approved by the Judicial Council.” Unlike for Vehicle Code infractions, the penalty amounts in the UBPS for other laws are advisory. These amounts are intended to provide guidance and uniformity to the trial courts for their schedules for nontraffic misdemeanors and infractions.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Traffic Advisory Committee recommends that the Judicial Council, effective January 1, 2026, adopt the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition: Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing. For the 2026 edition, the following changes to the revised 2025 edition are recommended by the committee:
1. Additions or modifications of Vehicle Code infraction offenses in the Traffic Infraction Fixed Penalty Schedule:
• 5201.1(a), Sale or Manufacture of Prohibited Product or Device to Obscure License Plate;
• 21201(f), Equipment Requirements for Bicycles and E-Bicycles;
• 21212.5(a), Selling a Class 3 Electric Bicycle to a Person Under 16 Years of Age;
• 21809(a), Failure to Slow Down or Change Lane When Approaching and Passing Stationary Emergency Vehicle or Tow Truck Displaying Warning Lights;
• 24016(e), Selling a Product, Device, or Application That Can Improperly Modify an Electric Bicycle; and
• Footnotes;
2. Modifications to Vehicle Code misdemeanors in the Traffic Misdemeanor Bail and Penalty Schedule:
• 42005(i), Failure to Attend Court-Ordered TVS;
• Footnotes; and
3. Modification to the Boating Bail and Penalty Schedule:
• 9583(c)(4), Operating a Recreational Vessel in Nonmarine Waters Without a Valid State-Issued Invasive Mussel Infestation Prevention Sticker.
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Speakers
Speakers
Hon. Stacy E. Boulware Eurie, Chair, Legislation Committee
Ms. Katy Grant, Member, Traffic Advisory Committee
Ms. Jamie Schechter, Criminal Justice Services