CA AB1597

Extends the low-cost automobile insurance program from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2016, allowing continued operation within the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan.

Requires public hearings for assigned risk plan amendments to be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and deletes specific newspaper publication notice requirements.

Establishes electronic effective date procedures for automobile insurance coverage, allowing immediate or future effective dates (up to 45 days) when applications are electronically transmitted and meet specified requirements.

Extends the repeal date of certain automobile insurance proof of financial responsibility requirements from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2016 for Los Angeles County and San Francisco.

Removes requirement that the commissioner's annual plan to promote low-cost auto insurance include the most recent annual report status from the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan.