Legislation meant to reduce the number of vehicles impounded at sobriety checkpoints was sent to the governor late Thursday night.
The bill would bar counties from conducting combined sobriety and vehicle inspection checkpoints.
Supporters of the measure, Assembly Bill 1389, say that checkpoints are used as a revenue-generating tool for local government and that they unduly harm sober but low-income or undocumented drivers.
The impounding of vehicles at checkpoints when drivers have no valid California license hits undocumented residents particularly hard, because state law bars them from obtaining driver's licenses, supporters of AB 1389 note.
Under the legislation, officers would be entitled to briefly question motorists at sobriety checkpoints, but if no sign of impairment is found, the drivers should be permitted to leave without further delay.
Opponents of the bill, by Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-Santa Rosa, said its passage could endanger public safety by restricting officers at checkpoints.
"I think we're going down a very slippery slope," said Assemblyman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale.
Added Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks: "We need to trust local law enforcement and let them have the tools to protect our communities," he said.
AB 1389, which also would enact public notification and various other standards for sobriety checkpoints, passed by a largely party-line vote, 44-21. Only two Republicans supported the bill. No Democrats voted no, but 10 abstained.
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