Transportation (Roads & Highways)

This measure would strongly encourage the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 1235 to establish a Federal Infrastructure Bank to facilitate the financing of urgently needed infrastructure projects in the United States.

This measure would urge President Donald J. Trump and Congress to protect and maintain the historic investments made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Existing law requires a driver approaching, among others, a stationary marked Caltrans vehicle that is displaying flashing lights to approach with due caution and either change lanes to a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or, if unable to safely do so, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed, as specified. Existing law makes a violation of that provision an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $50. This bill would expand that requirement to apply to all marked highway maintenance vehicles, as defined, and would also make that requirement applicable to any other stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device, including, but not limited to, cones, flares, or retroreflective devices. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Existing law establishes the Department of Transportation and requires the department to improve and maintain the state highways. This bill would establish the Quick-Build Pilot Program to expedite development and implementation of low-cost improvements on the state highway system, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before December 31, 2027, to develop and publish guidance for the deployment of district quick-build improvements. The bill would require the department, on or before December 31, 2028, to identify and commit to funding a minimum of 6 quick-build improvements statewide.

Existing law establishes the state transportation improvement program (STIP) process, pursuant to which the California Transportation Commission programs, on a biennial basis, available state and federal funds for transportation capital improvement projects, other than state highway rehabilitation and repair projects, for the 5-year period of the STIP, based on the interregional transportation improvement program (ITIP) prepared by the Department of Transportation and the regional transportation improvement programs (RTIP) prepared by regional transportation planning agencies. Existing law requires projects included in the ITIP to be consistent with the interregional transportation strategic plan (ITSP) . Existing law requires the department to submit the ITSP to the commission for approval and requires the ITSP, among other things, to be directed at achieving a high functioning and balanced interregional transportation system and consistent with the California Transportation Plan. This bill would require, to the extent feasible and consistent with the California Transportation Plan, the department to assess incorporating bicycle highways into strategic interregional corridors within the ITSP.

Existing law authorizes local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction, to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution, on various matters, including regulating traffic by means of specified official traffic control devices and prohibiting the use of particular highways by certain vehicles. Existing law authorizes specified proposed ordinances or resolutions to be effective as to any state highway or part thereof if the proposed ordinance or resolution is submitted to the Department of Transportation for approval prior to the enactment, as specified. This bill would require the Department of Transportation, when reviewing and approving or rejecting an ordinance or resolution that has been submitted to the department for approval by a local authority, to consider the costs of the proposed ordinance or resolution compared to any possible alternative solution to the issue that the proposed ordinance or resolution is addressing and to provide written reasons and justifications for a rejection.

Existing law establishes the Department of Transportation and vests it with full possession and control of the state highway system. This bill would require the department to prepare a report evaluating current efforts and potential opportunities to streamline the processes and procedures for the delivery of safety enhancement projects on the state highway system, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit the report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.