Vehicles: local regulation: Department of Transportation.

Removed the requirement for Caltrans to conduct a study on highway safety on State Highway Route 74, including collecting 10 years of data on accidents, tire blowout-related 911 calls, truck tractor incidents, citations, injuries, fatalities, brake failures, and enforcement facility bypassing corridors. The study was due by December 31, 2027, with a report to the Legislature, and would have been repealed January 1, 2029.

Cleaned up redundant and erroneous language in Vehicle Code Section 21104(a). The old text contained duplicated phrases ('for approval authority for approval') and used 'local legislative body' and 'in complete draft form'; the enrolled version simplifies this to 'local authority' and removes the redundant wording.

New Section 1 amends Vehicle Code Section 21104 to require Caltrans, when reviewing a local ordinance or resolution submitted for approval on a state highway, to consider the costs of the proposed measure compared to any possible alternative solution and, if rejecting it, to provide written reasons and justifications to the submitting local authority.

The Route 74 safety study was narrowed from covering 'the state highway system, including, but not limited to, State Highway Route 74' to focusing specifically on 'State Highway Route 74' only. Recommendations are likewise narrowed to improving safety on Route 74 rather than the broader state highway system.

Removed the requirement that study data be 'disaggregated by state highway,' which is no longer necessary given the narrowed single-route focus.

Clarified awkward language in the tire blowout data category from 'due to potholes and otherwise or other poor road conditions' to 'due to potholes or other poor road conditions.'

Removed all provisions amending Section 97 of the Streets and Highways Code, which established the framework for designating highway segments as Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones, including eligibility criteria (collision rates at least 1.5x statewide average), local government concurrence requirements, signage requirements, and renewal/revocation procedures.

Removed the specific designation of State Highway Route 74 between the Route 111 junction in Palm Desert and Route 371 in Anza as eligible for Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zone status.

The study's recommendations section was expanded to include 'bypassing on roadways other than State Highway Route 74, as specified,' broadening the scope of the study beyond just Route 74 to address enforcement facility bypassing on other roadways as well.

Removed all provisions amending Vehicle Code Section 42010, which would have doubled fines for traffic violations (speeding, reckless driving, DUI, open container, commercial motor vehicle weight limit violations) committed within a designated Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zone.

Minor wording clarifications in the study data collection section: 'otherwise poor road conditions' changed to 'or other poor road conditions,' and 'hazards, poor conditions' changed to 'hazards, poor road conditions.'

New Section 98 added to the Streets and Highways Code requiring Caltrans to conduct a highway safety study on the state highway system, including but not limited to State Highway Route 74, by December 31, 2027. The study must collect 10 years of disaggregated data including accidents, 911 calls for tire blowouts from potholes, truck tractor incidents, citations (including weight-limit violations), injuries/fatalities, brake failure accidents, and enforcement facility bypassing data.

Removed the standalone legislative intent section that stated 'It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to penalties for certain traffic violations.'

The new Section 98 requires Caltrans to develop recommendations to improve highway safety, including on enforcement facility bypassing, increased enforcement, road safety projects, and road maintenance projects, and to report findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2027.

The new Section 98 sunsets (repeals itself) as of January 1, 2029, making it a temporary study mandate rather than a permanent requirement.

Removed former subdivision (i) of Section 97, which had exempted Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones established before the effective date (pursuant to Section 97.4) and zones established pursuant to Section 97.5 from the new designation requirements in subdivision (a).

Minor wording change in Vehicle Code Section 42010(d)(1): 'Notwithstanding any other provision of law' was shortened to 'Notwithstanding any other law.'

Fiscal committee vote changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now has fiscal committee approval.

Added a complete statutory framework for Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones in Streets and Highways Code Section 97, including designation criteria (collision rates at least 1.5x statewide average, local government support, public awareness programs), signage requirements, two-year review cycles, and civil liability protections.

Made State Highway Route 74 between the Route 111 junction in Palm Desert and Route 371 in Anza eligible for designation as a Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zone, in addition to the existing Route 12 segment.

Added commercial motor vehicle weight limit violations (Vehicle Code Section 4000.6) to the list of offenses subject to enhanced fines within Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones. Previously only driving-related offenses like speeding, reckless driving, and DUI were covered.

The original single-section intent statement was moved to the end of the bill as a final section rather than being the sole content.