They did finally make parking tickets slightly less onerous:
Assembly Bill 1299 was introduced by Isaac Bryan (D-Clover City) and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 6, 2025. It took effect on Jan. 1. If a person can prove their inability to pay a parking ticket in full, the new law authorizes the issuing agency to reduce or waive the parking penalty.
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Now, if a contestant provides satisfactory evidence, such as proof of homelessness, financial hardship, or other extenuating circumstances, the unpaid parking ticket can be waived, reduced, or paid through a payment plan.
The worst ones were expired registration tickets. Late on registration, or with a sticker that's been stolen by someone who wishes they had your parking spot, and suddenly you're getting $60 tickets that double after 21 days, and a vengeful traffic pig can just keep adding to the pile. The city issues the parking violation and the state collects the registration fee and its late penalties, so it's not in anyone's interest to listen to you when you say you'd love to register your car, but can't because your budget goes to paying off the parking tickets.