10/8/03 - Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation Sept. 24 hiking the fine for seat-belt violations from a maximum of $20 for first offenses to as much as $70.
AB1625 also allows court costs to be added to the fine.

9/25/03 - A bill that would hike the fine for seat-belt violations from a maximum of $20 for first offenses to as much as $70 is headed to the governor. Additional violations, which are now capped at $50, could also increase.

AB1625 was approved by the Assembly Sept. 5 by a 71-7 vote. It previously passed the Senate 23-12.

The bill also would change how court costs are collected for not buckling up. If approved, the bill would allow court costs to be added to the fine.