Governor Newsom Signs Assemblymember Bonta's AB 1153 to Combat Illegal Dumping and Abandoned RVs

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1153, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), which will allow CalRecycle to develop regulations and deploy resources to help local jurisdictions remove and dispose of abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs) and support existing illegal dumping enforcement teams.

"Across California, the growing number of abandoned recreational vehicles is creating significant public health, safety, and environmental hazards in our communities," said Assemblymember Mia Bonta. "Local governments haven't had the resources or authority they need to properly address this. AB 1153, the Funding Clean Streets Act, gives them the tools to tackle this growing issue to protect our communities, improve public safety, and ensure clean, accessible streets for everyone. This is especially important for neighborhoods like East Oakland that have historically been overburdened by illegal dumping and environmental neglect. I'm grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing our community's needs and signing this bill into law."

Illegal dumping, such as the unauthorized disposal of waste such as mattresses, tires, appliances, and construction debris, imposes significant social, environmental, and economic costs on communities across California. Reports of illegal dumping have risen sharply in recent years:

• Los Angeles saw 22,000 complaints in 2 months last year, reflecting a 36% increase from the same period in 2024
• Sacramento County reported a 32% increase in illegal dumping over the past three years
• In fiscal year 2024-25, the City of Oakland alone spent approximately $14 million cleaning up illegal dumping

"Expanding and aligning state and local resources to address illegal dumping is a common-sense step to deliver safe, clean streets for Oaklanders," said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland has invested heavily in combating illegal dumping, and I'm thankful to Assemblymember Bonta for being our town's voice in Sacramento. Together, we're delivering the resources our communities need and deserve."

Abandoned RVs pose a costly challenge that creates severe operational, legal, and environmental burdens for local jurisdictions. Removal costs for an RV typically range from $500 to $2,500 depending on size, condition, and location, while dismantling an inoperable RV can cost $5,000 to $9,000 per vehicle, expenses that often exceed what cities can absorb within existing illegal dumping budgets. Forcing families to live, play, and navigate their daily lives in their shadow.

AB 1153 goes into effect January 1st, 2027, and will allow CalRecycle to:

• Support the removal and proper disposal of abandoned RVs
• Provide resources, technical assistance, and operational support to strengthen local abandoned RV abatement and enforcement capacity
• Develop regulations and program guidelines to improve coordination between CalRecycle, local jurisdictions, and existing local enforcement teams.

AB 1153 received bipartisan support in the legislature alongside a broad coalition including the California State Association of Counties, Californians Against Waste, the League of California Cities, the Rural County Representatives of California, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville, among others. The bill's passage comes as Oakland officials continue to ramp up local enforcement efforts.