Committee forwards ordinance to raise vehicle registration surcharge to fund vehicle‑theft work

The Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously amended and voted on June 17 to recommend an administrative‑code ordinance that would raise a vehicle registration surcharge from $1 to $2 for vehicles registered to San Francisco addresses.

The clerk read the ordinance language: funds would be used “exclusively to deter and investigate and prosecute vehicle theft crimes,” citing Assembly Bill 767 (2014) as state authorization. The committee approved an amendment to technical language and voted to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation for the July 12 meeting.

The committee heard one caller in favor during public comment; supervisors asked clarifying questions about exemptions (city‑owned and certain commercial vehicles are generally exempt under state law) and the amended language re: implementation. The amendment passed by roll call vote and the measure was forwarded unanimously.