Highway greening: statewide strategic plan.

Existing law establishes the Department of Transportation and vests it with full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property for state highway purposes. Under existing law, the department administers the Clean California Local Grant Program of 2021 to provide funding, upon appropriation, for grants to specified local entities for purposes of beautifying and cleaning up local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, transit centers, and other public spaces, and administers the Clean California State Beautification Program of 2021 to provide funding, upon appropriation, for purposes of beautifying and cleaning up state highways. This bill would enact the Highway Greening Act, which would require the department to complete a statewide strategic plan, as specified, to work to achieve at least a 10% increase of green highways, as defined, in urban areas, disadvantaged communities, and low-income communities by 2035. The bill would require the department to submit the plan to the Legislature and specified committees of the Legislature on or before June 30, 2025.