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Bridge Funding
Development and Financing
Motor Vehicle Emissions
Miscellaneous

Bridge Funding

Two of the majors resolved this year was how to retrofit the seven state-owned bridges and replacing the last span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. These bridges are (1) the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, (2) the Carquinez Bridge, (3) the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, (4) the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, (5) the San Pedro Terminal Island Bridge (known as the Vincent Thomas Bridge), (6) the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, and (7) the west span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

SB 60 (Kopp-I), SB 226 (Kopp-I), and AB 1302 (Wayne-D), were the bills which resolved the retrofitting of these bills.

SB 47* (Kopp-I) Transportation: Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

Requires that, not later than 60 days after the effective date of this bill, all tolls collected by the State Department of Transportation or the state-owned toll bridges be based on the number of axles on a vehicle or the total number of axles on a vehicle plus a drawn trailer or vehicle.

Deletes the current toll on bridges within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and sets forth, not later than 60 days after the effective date of the bill, a specific uniform toll schedule for all such bridges, based upon the number of axles on a vehicle.

Chapter 252, Statutes of 1997

SB 60 (Kopp-I) Transportation: funding

Provides for funding for the seismic retrofitting of 7 state-owned toll bridges and to replace the east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Adds language imposing a surcharge of $1 on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Chapter 327, Statutes of 1997

Similar legislation in this area was AB 465 (Miller-R), which failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and AB 1493 (Baugh-R), which also failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 226 (Kopp-I) Bridges: tolls: seismic retrofit

Authorizes the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to use an additional 2% of existing toll bridge revenues authorized by Regional Measure 1 solely for the planning, construction, operation and acquisition of rapid water transit systems.

Establishes the Bay Area Toll Authority, and specifies that it is the same as the MTC. Authorizes the MTC to retain up to 1% of the gross revenues collected from tolls for its cost in administering the duties conferred by this bill.

Specifies that the authority, instead of the California Transportation Commission, is responsible for the programming, administration and allocation of all toll revenues authorized under Regional Measure 1, except revenues from the seismic retrofit surcharge, from state-owned roll bridges within the MTC's jurisdiction.

Requires the authority, with the concurrence of the State Department of Transportation, to prepare and adopt a long-range plan for the completion of all specified projects.

Clarifies that all revenues from the existing tolls authorized under Regional Measure 1 are transferred to the authority, and shall be deposited in the newly created Bay Area Toll Account.

Specifies that maintenance of the specified state-owned toll bridges shall continue to be funded by the state.

Authorizes the MTC to issue, by resolution, commercial debt instruments (toll bridge revenue bonds) which shall be payable from revenues from the tolls.

Requires the authority to keep and submit annually, commencing January 1, 1999, to the Governor and the Legislature balance sheets and income and profit-and-loss statements which show (individually) the financial condition of each toll bridge.

Prohibits State Highway Account monies from being loaned or transferred (a) to directly fund the construction of amenities on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, or (b) for the purpose of covering shortfalls that occur as the direct result of expenditures from the Roll Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account for amenities on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Chapter 328, Statutes of 1997

AB 1302 (Wayne-D) Highways: toll bridges

Provides for seismic retrofitting of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Chapter 777, Statutes of 1997

Development and Financing

SB 45 (Kopp-I) Transportation funding

Makes major changes to the process by which state and federal transportation funds are allocated to individual projects in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), including:

1. Shortening the programming period from 7 years to 4 years.
2. Increasing the amount guaranteed for programming in individual counties from 70% to 75%.
3. Increasing the amount of funds subject to programming in the STIP by consolidating existing programs.
4. Increasing the uses for which funds allocated in the STIP could be used.
5. Requires an assessment report to the Legislature as to the effectiveness of the program changes included in this bill.
6. Adds numerous provisions relative to improving the realigning of the responsibilities between state and local levels.
7. Reinstates the Grade Separation Program.

Double-joined with AB 87 (Escutia-D).

Chapter 622, Statutes of 1997

SB 47* (Kopp-I) Transportation: Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

Authorizes the establishment of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority when at least 2 of the specified jurisdictions execute a joint powers agreement for the purpose of assuming responsibility for intercity passenger rail service in the Capitol Corridor and elect to appoint members to the board.

Chapter 252, Statutes of 1997

SB 239* (Schiff-D) California Transportation Commission

Allows the California Transportation Commission to enter into an agreement with a county transportation commission or authority to advance funds for a project included in state transportation improvement program from resources estimated to be available to the county for any purpose in the most recently adopted fund estimate as specified.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 344 (Monteith-R) Local transportation funds: Stanislaus County

Provides a specific allocation priority and procedure for the allocation of Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds for the Stanislaus Area Association of Governments and Stanislaus County. Requires TDA funds to be first used for administration and planning activities, similar to existing law; the remaining funds allocated by the Stanislaus Area Association of Governments, using a formula to be adopted by that association. Requires apportionments and allocations from those funds made by the association to the county and cities in the county to be in accordance with the cost-sharing criteria approved by the association.

Chapter 45, Statutes of 1997

SB 367 (Sher-D) Air pollution: bay district: motor vehicle fee revenues

Continues, from January 1998 until January 2000, the allowable use of motor vehicle fees in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for bicycle facility improvements.

Chapter 425, Statutes of 1997

SB 908 (Lee-D) Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District: special taxes

Allows the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District to impose a special tax by 2/3 voter approval within:

1. The boundaries of a city in the district; and
2. The boundaries of contiguous cities in the district.

Requires the revenue from the special tax to be used to provide, within the area taxed, for operation, maintenance, or acquisition of any public improvement or utility for transportation purposes.

Chapter 433, Statutes of 1997

AB 87 (Escutia-D) California Transportation Finance Bank Program

Establishes the California Transportation Finance Bank Program, to be administered by the California Economic Development Authority. Permits the authority to use state and federal transportation funds to provide various credit enhancements for transportation projects which are being implemented by public entities.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 543 (Perata-D) Transportation funding: San Francisco Bay Area

Amends the 1986 Bay Area County Traffic and Transportation Funding (BACTTF) Act to allow agencies that administer local transportation tax, and transportation agencies that were established subsequent to the enactment of the BACTTF, to sponsor transportation projects.

Chapter 173, Statutes of 1997

AB 557 (Firestone-R) Transportation: projects: public and private partnerships

Authorizes the State Department of Transportation to enter into an unlimited number of agreements with private entities for a variety of transportation related projects. Allows private developers who provided full or partial funding for the projects to design, build, manage, and own these facilities. Also allows developers to charge tolls for the use of the facilities.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 595 (Brown-D) Metropolitan Transportation Commission: fuel tax

Places before the voters a gasoline tax increase in the Bay Area in order to fund locally and regionally important transportation projects.

Chapter 878, Statutes of 1997

AB 731* (Keeley-D) Intercity rail transportation

Includes the San Jose-Oakland-Gilroy-Watsonville-Santa Cruz corridor and San Francisco Bay Area-San Jose-Oakland-Gilroy-Salinas-Monterey corridor among the intercity rail corridors eligible to apply for funding.

Chapter 502, Statutes of 1997

AB 806 (Morrow-R) Highways: non-motorized grade crossings

Declares legislative intent that any federal funds that are received and available for the purpose of constructing non-motorized grade crossings shall be allocated, transferred or disbursed for that purpose.

Chapter 178, Statutes of 1997

AB 1020 (Firestone-R) Highways: Bicycle Lane Account

Increases the annual appropriation to the Bicycle Lane Account from the current $360,000 to $1 million in calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000; to $2 million in 2001 and 2002; to $3 million in 2003 and to $5 million in 2004 and thereafter.

Chapter 644, Statutes of 1997

AB 1072 (Cardoza-D) Transportation: local finance

Authorizes a transportation planning agency or a county transportation commission to adopt a resolution to allocate all or a portion of the county's minimum programming under those formulas to another county that adopts a similar resolution, as specified.

Double-joined with SB 45 (Kopp).

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 1521 (Scott-D) Transportation: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transport

A spot bill, it is the leadership's intention to send this bill back to the Assembly for non-concurrence and send to a Conference Committee. In its current form, states legislative intent that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority submit a recovery plan to the Federal Transit Administration that is fund-constrained, fair, and responsible. States that it is also the intent of the Legislature that the state establish a reasonable oversight of the financial condition of the authority, that all modes of transportation under the jurisdiction of the authority receive an equitable share of funding, consistent with all legal requirements, and that the state take any appropriate action to avoid the loss of federal funds by the authority.

Congress is scheduled to act on legislation dealing with $100 million estimated for this subject area in Los Angeles County. The intent of the Conference Committee is to work out all details of the recovery plan and to send the bill to the appropriate policy committee which, in this case, is the Senate Transportation Committee.

(In Conference Committee)

Motor Vehicle Emissions

SB 40 (Johannessen-R) Vehicles: smog impact fee

Repeals the existing $300 smog impact fee which is assessed on out-of-state vehicles when first registered in California, and repeals legislative findings and declarations related to the fee and its imposition.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

SB 42 (Kopp-I) Air pollution: vehicles: inspection and maintenance

Exempts from the biennial vehicle emissions inspection (smog check) requirement any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1974 model year, as specified.

Deletes the rolling exemption for vehicles 25 years old, and replaces that exemption with an exemption for any model manufactured prior to the 1974 model year.

Chapter 801, Statutes of 1997

SB 61 (Haynes-R) Vehicle inspection and maintenance

Repeals the current smog check program ("Smog Check II") and related provisions, and reinstates the provisions of the smog check program which existed prior to 1994 ("BAR 90"), with several exceptions. Repeals the smog check program on January 1, 2005.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 113* (Lewis-R) Air pollution: school districts: trip reduction plan

Requires the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), until January 1, 2010, or until a SCAQMD rule governing the reduction of mobile source emissions is repealed, to waive any fee imposed upon a school district for the submission or review of a trip reduction plan or alternative compliance plan. Requires the district to recover that amount from specified vehicle registration fees.

Chapter 273, Statutes of 1997

SB 191* (Ayala-D) Prima facie speed limit: local ordinances

Reinstates an existing law that was repealed on January 1, 1997 because of a sunset clause. Reauthorizes any county or city which is contained, in whole or in part, within the South Coast Air Quality Management District to declare by ordinance a reduced prima facie speed limit for air pollution control purposes.

Chapter 16, Statutes of 1997

SB 201 (Kelley-R) Vehicles: smog impact fee: exemption

Exempts out-of-state motor vehicles sold through a dealer conducting a motor vehicle auction from the existing $300 smog impact fee imposed on out-of-state vehicles first registered in California.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

SB 432 (Lewis-R) Air quality: rideshare programs

Requires the State Department of Transportation to allocate $3.5 million for rideshare programs in the South Coast Air Basin in fiscal year 1998-99.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 476 (Rosenthal-D) Vehicle fees: air pollution

Repeals the August 1, 1999 sunset date on the authority of the South Coast Air Quality Management District to impose a $1 annual vehicle registration fee surcharge to fund clean fuels programs. Establishes an expiration date of July 1, 2009 on the surcharge authority.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 521 (Mountjoy-R) Gasoline: MTBE

Enacts the MTBE Public Health and Environmental Act of 1997 which:

1. Appropriates $500,000 from the Motor Vehicle Fuel Account in the Transportation Tax Fund to the University of California for a study and assessment of MTBE to be submitted to the Governor by January, 1999.
2. Requires the Governor to take prescribed actions based on the information presented in the study and the assessment, including certifying whether there is a risk to human health or the environment of using MTBE in gasoline, and requires the discontinuance of the sale and use of MTBE in gasoline if the Governor certifies there is such a risk.
3. Provides that no water system, or its customer, is to be responsible for remediation or treatment costs of water contaminated by MTBE or a product containing MTBE.

Chapter 816, Statutes of 1997

Similar legislation is SB 755 (Johannessen-R), which is in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

SB 679* (Mountjoy-R) Vehicle inspection and maintenance

Repeals the current smog check program ("Smog Check II") and related provisions, and reinstates the provisions of the smog check program which were operative prior to 1994 ("BAR 90"), with several exceptions.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 731 (Hurtt-R) Air pollution: parking cash-out programs

Repeals the requirement for employers to provide an employee parking cash-out program.

(In Senate Environmental Quality Committee)

SB 772 (Johannessen-R) Vehicles: inspection and maintenance

Limits the testing procedures required for vehicles subject to smog check requirements. Revises test procedures to eliminate a requirement for a functional check of emission control devices, with exceptions in basic program areas. Modifies provisions relating to a visual inspection or check, and limits the tests or inspections required for a vehicle equipped with aftermarket parts.

States that the prohibition against a referral of an auto equipped with aftermarket parts does not apply to a vehicle that is identified as a gross polluter.

Vetoed by the Governor

SB 775* (Johannessen-R) Gasoline: MTBE: study

Requires the State Air Resources Board to conduct a prescribed study, in conjunction with private industry, on the health effects of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), as specified.

(In Senate Environmental Quality Committee)

SB 807 (Thompson-D) Vehicles: inspection and maintenance

Requires the State Department of Consumer Affairs to annually make available the failure rates and related information for vehicles subject to smog check testing. Allows the department to charge a fee for providing that information to cover the costs of obtaining and providing the information.

Requires a task force to review a means of implementing a rating system, and adds January 1,1999 sunset date for the task force.

Vetoed by the Governor

SB 1096 (Brulte-R) Air quality: heavy-duty vehicles

Makes certain legislative findings and declarations regarding the reduction of heavy-duty vehicle emissions, and financial assistance for that purpose.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

SB 1250 (Kopp-I) Smog check repair assistance

Establishes a smog check repair assistance program to assist qualified low-income motor vehicle owners with the repair of high emission motor vehicles as a means of obtaining a certificate of compliance with emissions requirements. Requires that revenues derived from the vehicle smog impact fee be used for the assistance program, and uses PVEA funds to the extent permitted by federal law.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1275* (Haynes-R) Air pollution: heavy-duty trucks

Requires the State Air Resources Board, by June 30, 1997, to implement a heavy-duty vehicle roadside inspection program, including the use of specified procedures and specifications in detecting smoke from those vehicles.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1343 (Johannessen-R) Vehicular emissions: particulate matter

Requires the State Air Resources Board to give as much consideration to new technology advances when considering methods to reduce particulate matter as it gives to reconstituted fuel.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1358* (Costa-D) Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance

Establishes the enhanced motor vehicle and inspection program in any district of origin of upwind emissions, any part of which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a moderate non-attainment area for ozone and which hs been determined by the State Air Resoures Board to make an overwhelming or significant contribution to downwind ozone ambient air pollutant levels in a district that is not in attainment.

(In Senate Rules Committee)

SCA 20 (Mountjoy-R) Vehicle inspection and maintenance

Amends the California Constitution to include the pre-revision provisions of the vehicle inspection and maintenance law. Makes various changes, including prohibiting the use of centralized testing stations, dynamometers, and remote sensing equipment; deleting testing for oxides of nitrogen; requiring BAR 90 testing equipment and additional prescribed tests; authorizing pretesting of vehicles. Imposes a $250 cost limit for repairs. Provides that it supersedes existing law and shall be self-executing, as specified.

(In Senate Rules Committee)

AB 57 (Escutia-D) Vehicles: repair: enhanced smog check program

Requires the establishment of a low-income repair assistance program by March 1, 1998, through special entities, for owners of vehicles failing their emission inspection. Prescribes a $250 vehicle repair cost limit for low-income owners. Revises existing repair cost limit provisions when funds for economic assistance were insufficient, and allows gross-polluting vehicles to be subject to repair cost limits.

Double-joined with AB 208 (Migden-D) and AB 1492 (Baugh-R).

Chapter 804, Statutes of 1997

AB 208 (Migden-D) Vehicle inspection: high polluter repair or removal

Requires that fees derived from the vehicle smog impact fee be redirected from the General Fund and deposited into the High Polluter Repair or Removal Account.

Authorizes the State Department of Consumer Affairs to conduct a pilot program to exempt specified vehicles.

Chapter 802, Statutes of 1997

AB 325 (Baldwin-R) Uncertified vehicles or engines: transfer of title

Reduces the minimum required odometer reading from 7,500 to 1,350 on out-of-state motorcycles.

(Failed passage in Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 421 (Baugh-R) Air pollution: refrigerated trailers

Classifies refrigerated trailers as mobile sources of pollution and requires the State Air Resources Board to regulate, by January 1, 2000, such trailers for purposes of reducing emissions.

Chapter 418, Statutes of 1997

AB 999 (Thomson-D) Enhanced smog check program: urbanized areas

Defines "urbanized area" as an area with a population of 100,000 or more residents for purposes of determining whether an area is subject to the enhanced smog check program.

Vetoed by the Governor

AB 1368 (Villaraigosa-D) California Air Quality and Energy Efficiency Program

Creates, on July 1, 1998, the California Air Qualilty and Energy Efficiency Joint Powers Agency with prescribed membership. Authorizes the agency and air pollution control districts, and air quality management districts and port authorities that apply to administer funds, to make grants for heavy-duty motor vehicle, locomotive, and marine vessel emission reduction projects, as specified.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 1492 (Baugh-R) Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance

Makes changes in the Smog Check Program, as follows:

1. Requires the Smog Check Program to provide for the inspection only of specified motor vehicles, as determined by the State Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), except as otherwise provided in the smog check law.
2. Authorizes the DCA to conduct a pilot program to exempt certain motor vehicles from the biennial certification requirement and, with the approval of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to establish permanent exemptions. Exempts from the biennial certification requirement any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles 4 years old or less.
3. Repeals provisions regarding the economic hardship extension program, and requires that such a "repair cost waiver" be issued only upon request.
4. Reduces the $450 cost repair cost limit to $200 for owners that qualify as low-income. Permits the DCA to increase this amount to $250 if the DCA determines that the program is not cost-effective.
5. Authorizes the DCA to authorize qualified test-only stations to perform referee services, and authorizes the DCA to adopt specified regulations with regard to referee services.
6. States legislative intent to replace the inspection and maintenance program by January 1, 2005.
7. Makes the bill operative only if both AB 57 (Escutia) and AB 208 (Migden) are enacted and take effect on or before January 1, 1998.

Chapter 803, Statutes of 1997

See AB 57 (Escutia-D) and AB 208 (Migden-D) in this section.

Miscellaneous

SB 4 (Kopp-I) Trespass: bridges

Increases the penalty for trespass on a toll bridge or other district property to a misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000, with mandatory community service of 40-160 hours as a condition of probation, and with reimbursement to the district for costs.

Chapter 379, Statutes of 1997

Similar legislation is SB 582 (Burton-D), which is in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

SB 32 (Maddy-R) Transportation corridors

Provides a rebuttable presumption that "the use of a public transportation corridor does not give rise to a possessory interest in real property on the part of the user of that corridor." Provides that the presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence showing that the interest sought to be classified as a possessory interest is independent, durable, and exclusive of rights held by others in the property.

(In Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee)

SB 89 (Hayden-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority

Imposes limitations on contributions that may be given to members and employees of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LACMTA). Prohibits former members or employees of the LACMTA from accepting employment with any entity that was awarded specified contracts, as specified. Requires the reporting of injuries by construction firms that are contacted by the LACMTA, as specified.

Chapter 657, Statutes of 1997

SB 108 (Haynes-R) License plates: driving under the influence

Requires the issuance and display of special red "DUI" license plates on every vehicle owned, operated or acquired by a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Imposes fees and other conditions related to the license plate requirement.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 112* (Kopp-I) Abandoned vehicle abatement: allocation

Restores vehicle abatement funds that were withheld from San Francisco and San Benito Counties. Establishes a new formula for apportioning vehicle abatement funds to the localities within a vehicle abatement authority.

Chapter 272, Statutes of 1997

SB 125 (Ayala-D) Tow trucks: emergency road service: storage

Authorizes the chief of police of any city police department to enter into agreements with providers of towing, emergency road, or storage services for services to be provided within the jurisdiction of that police department. Requires the agreements to meet specified requirements, including, but not limited to, provision of a suspension or termination hearing and appeal process. Requires the agreements to include, but not limited to, provisions relating to (1) liability insurance requirements, (2) fees for towing service, emergency road service, and storage, (3) inspection of business and storage facilities and equipment, (4) recordkeeping, (5) minimum equipment requirements, and (6) establishment of two districts.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 171 (Knight-R) Vehicles: records

Grants members of the National Guard assigned to drug interdiction duty peace officer status solely for the purpose of having their home addresses kept confidential by the State Department of Motor Vehicles, with specified exceptions.

Vetoed by Governor

SB 172 (Rainey-R) Vessels: disposal of wrecks and wrecked property

Increases the authority of local officials to remove and dispose of abandoned or wrecked vessels on public waterways. Authorizes the expedited sale or disposal of these vessels, which have been appraised to be worth $300 or less, by the public agency responsible for the removal. Creates the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund, administered by the State Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW), whose monies will be used to assist local agencies in the abatement, removal, storage, and disposal of any abandoned or wrecked vessels from private or public property. Authorizes DBW to make a one-time appropriation of $500,000 (Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund) to Redwood City for clean-up of abandoned, wrecked and dismantled vessels. Authorizes removal of vessels when an unattended vessel poses a threat to adjacent levees.

Chapter 930, Statutes of 1997 - Item Veto

The Governor item-vetoed the $500,000 appropriation to Redwood City, which was contained in AB 1188.

SB 192 (Peace-D) Vehicles: registration: penalties

Requires the State Department of Motor Vehicles to waive penalties for the late payment of registration renewal fees on specified vehicles.

Chapter 311, Statutes of 1997

SB 211 (Kelley-R) Vehicles: neighborhood electric vehicle pilot program

Establishes a 5-year pilot project authorizing the Coachella Valley Association of Governments or the Sunline Joint Powers Transit Agency to establish a neighborhood electric vehicle plan, adopt design and marking specifications, and adopt design and safety standards for neighborhood electric vehicles.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 236 (Solis-D) High-occupancy vehicle lanes

Authorizes a mass transit vehicle to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Chapter 579, Statutes of 1997

SB 270 (Peace-D) Foreign commercial vehicles

Requires the California Highway Patrol to adopt reasonable rules and regulations promoting the safe operation of all foreign commercial vehicles entering into, and operating within, California.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

SB 280* (Brulte-R) Vehicle registration: proof of registration

Revises the requirement for information to be submitted to the State Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of insurance for the registration of a vehicle. Permits the City and County of San Francisco to allow the placement of advertising displays on "street furniture."

(On Assembly Inactive File)

SB 315 (Calderon-D) Motor vehicle fuels

Creates a new crime with an alternative felony/misdemeanor penalty for the unlawful blending of motor vehicle fuel.

(Failed passage in Senate Public Safety Committee)

SB 322 (Craven-R) Auto body repair

Creates, until January 1, 2003, a Better Auto Body Repair Shop Gold Star Program that, among other things: (1) requires the Bureau of Automotive Repair (bureau) to establish standards for the voluntary certification of auto body repair facilities; (2) requires the bureau, on a regular basis, to monitor and inspect certified auto body repair facilities, as specified; (3) requires the bureau to establish a fee structure for auto body repair shops applying for certification; (4) specifies the powers and duties of a certified auto body repair shop; and (5) makes a violation of its provisions by a certified facility grounds for decertification, as specified.

(In Senate Business and Professions Committee)

SB 347 (Thompson-D) Boating safety

Defines a new category of vessel, "personal watercraft," in the Harbors and Navigation Code. Makes specified actions and operations of such watercraft an infraction.

Double-joined with SB 810 (Johnson-R) and SB 545 (Rosenthal-D).

Chapter 746, Statutes of 1997

SB 354 (Johannessen-R) Firefighter and "Pearl Harbor Survivor" license plates

Authorizes the surviving spouse of a Pearl Harbor survivor to retain special Pearl Harbor Survivor license plates upon the death of the plate holder. Requires the plates to be returned to theState Department of Motor Vehicles upon the death of the spouse. Extends, by 2 years, the time frame for depositing revenues derived from special fees for firefighter license plates into the California Firefighter Memorial Fund.

Chapter 114, Statutes of 1997

SB 396 (Kelley-R) Service authority for freeway emergencies

Authorizes service authorities for freeway emergencies to contract with either the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or private entities to answer calls from freeway call boxes. Directs the CHP, in consultation with the service authority, to develop contract guidelines and performance standards and specify other contractual requirements.

Repeals a San Diego County demonstration program to test the effectiveness of contracting out for supplemental call box services.

Chapter 89, Statutes of 1997

SB 416 (Kelley-R) State Highway Route 94: restrictions

Requires the State Department of Transportation to determine methods of mitigating safety hazards relative to the use of truck tractor-trailer combinations on Route 94 from the community of Tecate to the junction of Interstate Route 5 during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on those days that public school districts utilize that portion of the highway to operate schoolbuses.

Chapter 426, Statutes of 1997

SB 432 (Lewis-R) Rideshare programs

Requires the State Department of Transportation to allocate $3.5 million for rideshare programs in the South Coast Air Basin in fiscal year 1998-99.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 459 (Kelley-R) East Valley Intermodal Transportation Authority

Creates the East Valley Intermodal Transportation Authority, and makes it the primary public entity responsible for developing intermodal facilities for passengers and cargo within the eastern Coachella Valley and eastern Riverside County.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 506 (Senate Transportation Committee) Miscellaneous transportation matters

Makes various technical, nonsubstantive changes to the Vehicle Code, and deletes obsolete provisions in the code.

Chapter 619, Statutes of 1997

SB 507 (Senate Transportation Committee) Miscellaneous transportation matters

Makes various technical, nonsubstantive changes to the Vehicle Code, and deletes obsolete provisions in the code, including allowing 2 or more regional transportation planning agencies within specified jurisdictions to establish a joint powers authority for the purpose of assuming responsibility for intercity passenger rail services in the Capitol Corridor.

(On Assembly Third Reading File)

SB 516* (Polanco-D) Crimes against operators of public transit buses

Makes an assault committed against the person of an operator or driver of a public transit bus punishable by a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment in a county jail for a full term of 1 year.

Makes a battery committed against the person of an operator or driver of a public transit bus punishable by a fine of $3,000 and imprisonment in a county jail for a full term of one year. Makes an injury inflicted upon the operator or driver punishable by a fine of $4,000 and imprisonment in the state prison for a full term of 2 or 3 years.

(In Senate Public Safety Committee)

SB 525 (Maddy-R) Golf cart transportation plans

Extends the sunset date on provisions authorizing any city or county to establish a golf cart transportation plan for the travel of golf carts in golf cart lanes on roadways, from January 1, 1998 to January 1, 2001.

Authorizes the use of golf carts in a residential district in a city, as specified, on roadways if the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less in that district.

Chapter 536, Statutes of 1997

SB 531* (Polanco-D) Local transportation fund: Los Angeles County

Authorizes the transfer of up to $60 million of county transportation funds to the general fund of Los Angeles County. Becomes operative when a court of appellate jurisdiction renders a final determination invalidating the transfer made under SB 727 (Polanco) of 1995.

Limits the amount of money to be deposited in the local general fund, exempts these deposits from repayment, and sets forth procedures for the allocation of funds.

Chapter 123, Statutes of 1997

SB 545 (Rosenthal-D) Operation of vessels

Provides that it is an infraction for persons 15 years of age or younger to operate a powered water vessel with more than 15 horsepower, with specified exceptions. Provides that it is an infraction for persons 12, 13, 14, or 15 to operate specified water vessels.

Chapter 747, Statutes of 1997

SB 559 (Wright-R) Vehicles: dealers

Authorizes the State Department of Motor Vehicles to issue temporary branch licenses to a dealer to sell or lease new or used vehicles under specified conditions. Places specific limitations upon dealers operating a temporary branch location.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 565 (Craven-R) Parking regulation

Exempts dump trucks that are registered or permitted by the Public Utilities Commission from local ordinances that regulate parking of commercial vehicles on a street within a residential or business district.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 567 (Polanco-D) Los Angeles County Transportation Authority

Reduces, from 13 to 9, the voting membership of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as follows:

1. Removes 5 members from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and replaces them with 3 non-elected official members appointed by the board.
2. Removes the Mayor of Los Angeles from the MTA.
3. Reduces, from 4 to 3, the number of members who are mayors of or city councilmembers for other cities in Los Angeles County, and allows members previously appointed to serve out their terms.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 599 (Knight-R) Freeway Logo Sign Program

Requires the State Department of Transportation to allow the placement of business logo information signs near exists on freeways in a city with a population larger than 5,000, if the city submits a written request to the department for such placement.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 626 (Karnette-D) Local parking: schools

Allows local authorities to establish preferential parking permits for specified individuals and organizations, allowing them to park on streets adjacent to public schools.

Chapter 343, Statutes of 1997

SB 630 (Solis-D) Driving school instructors

Makes it a misdemeanor for driving school owners or operators to hire independent contractors as driving school instructors.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee; reconsideration granted)

SB 634 (Knight-R) Ridesharing Tax Credit

Reestablishes the Ridesharing Tax Credit.

(In Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee)

SB 686 (Kelley-R) Tolls: Riverside County

Authorizes the Riverside County Transportation Commission to construct, manage, and operate transportation toll facilities in the commission's jurisdiction.

(On Senate Inactive File)

SB 690 (Polanco-D) New Motor Vehicle Board

Revises procedures applicable to New Motor Vehicle Board proceedings.

Chapter 356, Statutes of 1997

Similar legislation is SB 1284 (Hughes-D), which is on the Senate Inactive File.

SB 703 (Rainey-R) Energy transporters

Specifies how local agencies are to calculate the municipal surcharge imposed on transportation customers purchasing commodity electricity from non-franchised utilities under electric restructuring.

Chapter 487, Statutes of 1997

SB 720 (Lockyer-D) Vehicles registration surcharge

Imposes an annual $1 per vehicle registration fee surcharge in any county adopting a specified resolution, for the support of local programs to provide automated mobile and fixed location fingerprint identification systems. Sunsets on January 1, 2003.

Chapter 587, Statutes of 1997

SB 789 (Sher-D) State Highway Route 109

Transfers the responsibility for maintenance and operation of State Highway Route 109 from the City of East Palo Alto to the State Department of Transportation.

Chapter 277, Statutes of 1997

SB 790* (Hayden-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

States that a consent decree was filed in a case involving the authority, and requires the authority to take specified action in view of that decree. Requires the authority to allocate sufficient funds to the consolidated transportation services agency for Los Angeles County to allow that agency to continue to provide complimentary paratransit services to the disabled population of the county, as required under federal law.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 810 (Johnson-R) Boating

Makes technical and conforming changes to provisions governing the operation of watercraft and related penalties.

Double-joined with SB 347 (Thompson-D) and SB 545 (Rosenthal-D).

Chapter 666, Statutes of 1997

SB 811 (Hayden-D) Speed traps

Provides that in a county with a population of 750,000 or more, a speed limit may be established that is up to 15 miles per hour less than the speed limit justified by the engineering and traffic survey, and that enforcement of that speed limit does not constitute a speed trap.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 812 (Hayden-D) Commercial weight fees

Expands the commercial weight fee exemption to paratransit vehicles operated by non-profit, public benefit consolidated transportation services, to include any vehicle operated by such a service to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Limits the number of exempted vehicles to 600 at any one time.

Chapter 667, Statutes of 1997

SB 815 (Leslie-R) Tahoe Transportation District

Modifies provisions governing the board of directors of the Tahoe Transportation District (district) and expands the district's powers, including the district's role in owning and operating transportation systems facilities. Adds additional members to the board of directors of the district. Authorizes the district to own and operate transportation facilities, including parking lots, maintenance facilities, and terminals, related equipment, and revenue collection devices.

Chapter 322, Statutes of 1997

SB 837 (Kopp-I) Los Angeles County Transportation Authority

Abolishes the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority and creates the Los Angeles Transit District, the Los Angeles Rail Authority, and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission as successor agencies, as specified.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 839 (Karnette-D) Vehicle weight limits

Extends for 5 years the authority for the issuance of special permits allowing the operation of cargo container vehicle combinations which exceed maximum weight limits on specified freeways near the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Chapter 358, Statutes of 1997

SB 844 (Schiff-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Allows the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enter into an agreement with the California Transportation Commission for a loan of up to $135 million from the State Highway Account to fund local transit improvements.

(In Senate Approppriations Committee)

SB 864 (Lee-D) State Highway Route 260

Requires the State Department of Transportation to mitigate the closure for seismic retrofit of State Highway Route 260 at the Posey Street Tube and Webster Street Tube by any reasonable means necessary, as specified.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 866 (Lee-D) Professional sports teams: license plates

Requires the State Department of Motor Vehicles to issue professional sports team or organization reflectorized license plates containing the name and reflectorized logotype, motto, symbol, or other design, as specified, of a participating professional sports team or organization of the applicant's choice.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 908 (Lee-D) Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District

Allows the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District to impose a special tax, with 2/3 voter approval, within the boundaries of a city or contiguous cities in the district.

Chapter 433, Statutes of 1997

SB 944* (O'Connell-D) San Diego Intercity Rail Corridor

Requires, for the 1997-98 fiscal year, that operating subsidies for the San Diegan Intercity Rail Corridor be 34% of the total subsidy available, but not less than $13.3 million, and requires, for that fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, funding for capital improvements be not less than 60% of the total intercity rail capital funds available.

Requires the State Department of Transportation to continue to have the responsbility for the San Diegan Intercity Rail Corridor until that time that a joint powers agency is created.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 950 (Johnson-R) State Highway Route 73

States findings and declarations of the Legislature regarding Route 73, including declarations regarding a method of comparing the cost effectiveness of highway maintenance performed by contracting out and maintenance performed by civil service employees using portions of the route. Sunsets January 1, 2003.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1046 (Haynes-R) Government tort liability

Provides that a public highway is not in a dangerous condition and, therefore, not subject to tort liability, merely because the public entitiy failed to erect a median barrier on the highway.

(Failed passage in Senate Judiciary; reconsideration granted)

SB 1057* (Mountjoy-R) Recreational vehicles

Creates an exemption from existing requirements for the issuance of a temporary branch license for selling new recreational vehicles. Applies the exemption in the case of an annual recreational vehicle show, as specified.

Chapter 339, Statutes of 1997

SB 1115 (Lockyer-D) Ignition interlock devices

Changes the ignition interlock device programs for driving under the influence offenders, and gives the State Department of Motor Vehicles responsibility to administer them.

(In Assembly Public Safety Committee)

SB 1118 (Monteith-R) Caltrans Rail Task Force: San Joaquin Corridor

Allows the Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force to talk to the Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to coordinate intercity passenger rail services for the San Joaquin Corridor, including helping develop an appropriate management structure for the corridor as an element of a coordinated statewide intercity rail system.

Chapter 202, Statutes of 1997

SB 1131 (Burton-D) Vehicles

Prohibits a person from driving a vehicle upon any highway while operating a cellular telephone if the operation of that telephone requires the driver to hold the telephone in his or hand.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1183 (Polanco-D) Motor carriers and drivers: drug and alcohol testing

Requires the immediate 30-day suspension of the commercial driver's license of a driver who tests positive for alcohol or drugs, and specifies conditions for reinstatement of the license.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1203 (Hayden-D) Airport expansion

Prohibits the South Coast Air Quality Management District from approving any airport expansion unless the South Coast district board makes specified findings supported by substantial evidence.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

SB 1284 (Hughes-D) New Motor Vehicle Board

Revises procedures applicable to New Motor Vehicle Board proceedings.

(On Senate Inactive File)

Identical to SB 690 (Polanco).

SB 1325 (Mountjoy-R) Installment: sales contract

Increases from$1,650 to $2,500, the rate threshold for interest rate ceilings in auto installment sales contracts. Places, on auto loans below $2,500, a ceiling on the interest rate a lender could charge the consumer.

Chapter 891, Statutes of 1997

SB 1329 (Leslie-R) Minors: provisional drivers' licenses

Places, beginning July 1, 1998, additional conditions and restrictions on the exercise of driving privileges by minors holding an instruction permit or provisional driver's license. Requires additional supervised driving practice, places graduated restrictions on driving hours and the transportation of passengers, and authorizes community service penalties and fines for violations of such restrictions.

Chapter 760, Statutes of 1997

SB 1352* (Johannessen-R) Transportation: State-Local Partnership Program

Extends, by 2 years to June 30, 1999, the deadline by which Siskiyou County must award contracts funded from the State-Local Partnership Program for a specific local road project.

Chapter 205, Statutes of 1997

SCR 2 (Johannessen-R) Memorial bridges

Designates a specified new bridge on Interstate Highway Route 5, in Shasta County, the Earl Sholes Memorial Bridge, and also designates its twin bridge the Dan Heryford Memorial Bridge.

Resolution Chapter 61, Statutes of 1997

SCR 9 (Kelley-R) Avocado Highway

Designates a specified segment of State Highway Route 15 in San Diego and Riverside Counties as the Avocado Highway.

Resolution Chapter 62, Statutes of 1997

SCR 22 (McPherson-R) State Highway Route 156

Designates the State Highway Route 156 Hollister Bypass Bridge crossing the San Benito River the Ed Hanna Memorial Bridge and designates the bypass itself the Veterans Memorial Highway.

Resolution Chapter 65, Statutes of 1997

SCR 25 (Costa-D) Highways

Designates the Livingston Freeway segment of State Highway Route 99 as the Kenneth L. Maddy Freeway.

Also designates (1) Highway 41 from Fresno to Madera County line as the "Yosemite Freeway;" (2) Highway 168 from Highway 180 to Fresno as the "Sierra Freeway;" (3) Highway 180 in a portion of Fresno as the "Sequoia-Kings Canyon Freeway;" and (4) The Highway 41/Highway 180 Interchange as the "Rose Ann Vuich Interchange."

Resolution Chapter 85, Statutes of 1997

SCR 34 (Thompson-R) Memorial bridge

Renames the St. Helena Bridge in Lake County as the Robert H. "Bob" Weatherwax Memorial Bridge.

Resolution Chapter 71, Statutes of 1997

SCR 35 (Johannessen-R) California Historical and Special Interest

Proclaims the week of April 13 through April 20, 1997, as California Historical and Special Interest Automobile Recognition Week.

Resolution Chapter 21, Statutes of 1997

SCR 43 (Leslie-R) Stephen P. Teale Hwy.: Amador Co. Veterans Memorial Bridge

Names a specified segment of State Highway Route 26 in Calaveras County as the Stephen P. Teale Highway, and names a specified bridge on State Highway Route 49 in Amador County as the Amador County Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Designates a portion of State Highway Route 89 as the 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway.

Resolution Chapter 106, Statutes of 1997

SCR 48 (McPherson-R) Thomas M. Sanders Memorial Bridge

Designates the Highway 1 Bridge at Burn Creek in the Big Sur area of Monterey County to the memory of Thomas M. Sanders, a Caltrans maintenance supervisor killed in the line of duty on Highway 1.

Resolution Chapter 107, Statutes of 1997

SJR 1 (Haynes-R) Auxiliary parachutes

Recommends that Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Parachute Association work together to reduce the frequency of inspection for reserve parachutes that are made of rayon, nylon or other similar synthetic material.

Resolution Chapter 57, Statutes of 1997

SJR 11 (Kelley-R) Tandem skydiving equipment and instruction

Urges Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the skydiving industry to finalize the rule change to FAR Part 105.43(a), which would legalize and legitimize tandem skydiving equipment and the current methods of training.

Resolution Chapter 38, Statutes of 1997

SJR 12 (Thompson-D) Arcata-Eureka Airport

Memorializes Congress to oppose the closure of the air-flight service center at the Arcata-Eureka Airport in Humboldt County, and to direct the Federal Aviation Administration accordingly.

Resolution Chapter 27, Statutes of 1997

SJR 18 (Karnette-D) Freight transportation

Memorializes the President and Congress to make the intensity of use, including population, vehicle travel miles and freight movement, a factor in the distribution of funds in the reauthorization of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.

Resolution Chapter 74, Statutes of 1997

SR 19 (Lee-D) San Francisco Bay Water Transport

Endorses the leadership of the Bay Area Council and the Bay Area Economic Forum in their effort to form a Blue Ribbon Advisory Task Force to report recommendations for the improvement or expansion of water transport on the San Francisco Bay.

Adopted

AB 17 (Machado-D) Driver's licenses: driver education

Declares that the driver license requirements for driver education and training courses may not be satisfied by correspondence courses or any course that is not delivered under the "direct, personal supervision" of a properly certified instructor.

(In Senate Education Committee)

AB 43 (Murray-D) Department of Motor Vehicles: Internet transaction

Requires the State Department of Motor Vehicles to have available, by January 1, 1999, a public program to conduct transactions through the department's Internet website.

Vetoed by the Govenror

AB 74* (Bowler-R) Drivers' licenses: controlled substances

Requires the State Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately suspend, or delay, the driver's license of any person for 6 months upon receipt of a court abstract showing that the person has been convicted of any specified controlled substance offense, with each successive offense to be followed by an additional 6-month suspension.

Sunsets January 1, 2000.

Chapter 5, Statutes of 1997

AB 96 (Strom-Martin-D) North Coast Railroad Authority

Authorizes the Counties of Napa and Solano to join the North Coast Railroad Authority.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 140 (Baca-D) Safety standards for traffic control

Requires the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to establish an advisory committee to study recommendations on the necessity of promulgating safety standards for the training of flag persons and others who are responsible for the selection, placement, or maintenance of traffic control devices on public streets or highways where construction work is occuring.

Vetoed by the Governor

AB 153 (Baldwin-R) Youth groups: use of beach and recreation areas: carrier

Part 1 relates to access to public beaches and recreation facilities: prohibits state or local agencies from adopting any ordinance, regulation or law which would charge youth groups different prices for access to public beaches and recreation areas than groups of similar numbers pay.

Part 2 relates to transportation provided by camping organizations, and establishes insurance requirements for those vehicles.

Chapter 707, Statutes of 1997

AB 171 (Cunneen-R) Transit passes and van pool fares

Authorizes, as a credit against the amount of net tax, an amount equal to 40% of employer's cost for providing either subsidized transit passes to an employee or a subsidy toward an employee's monthly vanpool fare. Makes this credit effective for taxable and income years beginning on or after January 1, 1997, and before January 1, 2002.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

AB 176 (Shelley-D) Transportation: right-of-way

Authorizes a public entity to acquire, by eminent domain, a right-of-way that is necessary to connect a public transit entity to an airport.

Vetoed by the Governor

AB 178 (Gallegos-D) Vehicles: automotive products

Allows the State Department of Food and Agriculture to grant a variance from the chloride standards imposed for recycled engine coolants or antifreeze, upon application by a provider or manufacturer, if the department is satisfied that certain conditions are met.

Chapter 634, Statutes of 1997

AB 218 (Takasugi-R) Vehicles: salvage certificates

Requires the endorsed salvage certificate to contain a single endorsement. Requires that subsequent sales or disposal of the vehicle requires the issuance of a new salvage certificate, as specified.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 296 (Vincent-D) Traffic signs for alleys

Authorizes local authorities to place signs, mirrors, or other visual or audible devices at exits from alleys that are under their jurisdiction to warn drivers to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists on the sidewalk prior to exiting the alley.

Makes declarations and findings regarding alleys that lead to blind intersections and the potential safety hazards to both drivers and pedestrians.

Chapter 150, Statutes of 1997

AB 299* (Ducheny-D) Motorcyclist: safety program

Extends the January 1, 1998 repeal date of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program to January 1, 2003, and extends the date for collecting fees from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2002.

Makes a biennial $10 boating registration fee, established in 1996 legislation, applicable to registrations renewable on December 31, 1997, and increases the fee on original boating registration fees to reflect the biennial fee.

Chapter 257, Statutes of 1997

AB 346 (Cunneen-R) Highways: median strip

Requires the State Department of Transportation to build a median barrier along the median strip of any divided highway where the width of the unpaved portion of the median strip is less than 46 feet. Specifie that this provision does not apply to highways already built.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 379* (Alquist-D) Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol: contract

Authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to enforce laws regulating operation of vehicles on, and the use of, expressways in Santa Clara County, if affected cities or the county so request and if those parties enter into a contract for that purpose.

Chapter 467, Statutes of 1997

AB 394 (Kaloogian-R) Speed limit: estate residential district

Allows San Diego County to define a portion of unincorporated area within its boundaries (known as Rancho Santa Fe) as an "estate residential district" for the purposes of establishing a 35 miles per hour prima facie speed limit.

(Failed passage in Assembly Transportation Committee; reconsideration granted)

AB 395 (Kaloogian-R) State Highways: Twin Oaks Valley Bridge

Requires the State Department of Transportation to include $5.1 million in the proposed budget to fund expansion of the Twin Oaks Valley Bridge over Route 78 in San Diego County near San Marcos.

(Failed passage in Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 448 (Kuykendall-R) Tallship ambassador

Allows a loan up to $450,000 to any non-profit organization to refinance the mortgage on the tallship "California," which is the official Tallship of the State.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

AB 464 (Richter-R) County Director of Transportation: contracting

Extends existing provisions relating to authorization of work on county highways to counties that have abolished the office of road commissioner in compliance with existing law, where the work is under the supervision or direction of a registered civil engineer under the direction of the County Director of Transportation.

Chapter 214, Statutes of 1997

AB 466 (Campbell-R) High occupancy toll road

Authorizes the Orange County Transportation Authority to conduct a congestion pricing transportation demonstration project on Route 91 between Route 55 and the Los Angeles County line.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 467 (Goldsmith-R) High occupancy toll lanes

Extends the termination date for a demonstration project on Interstate Route 15 in San Diego County which allows single-occupant vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle lanes upon paying a toll from January 1, 1998 to January 1, 2000.

Chapter 419, Statutes of 1997

AB 483 (Floyd-D) Motorcycle helmets: misdemeanor

Requires the manufacturers and sellers of motorcycle safety helmets to either meet specified standards or to label helmets that do not comply with those standards. Makes failure to do so punishable as a misdemeanor.

(Failed passage on Assembly Floor)

AB 503 (Cardoza-D) Weights and measures: combination of vehicles

Provides a weigh-in method exemption for multiple draft or in-motion weighing operations.

Chapter 233, Statutes of 1997

AB 517 (Cunneen-R) Santa Clara Co. Transit District: competitive negotiations

Authorizes the Santa Clara County Transit District to purchase specialized electronic equipment and specialized rail transit equipment through competitive negotiation, rather than through competitive bid.

Chapter 171, Statutes of 1997

AB 527 (Havice-D) Vehicles: immobilization: private property

Allows private property owners to utilize vehicle immobilization devices (boots) for parking enforcement purposes.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 542 (Perata-D) Transportation: rail feeder bus service

Requires the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to consult with private scheduled bus operators to determine whether or not the private operator could provide intercity bus feeder service under terms which are in the state's interests. Provides, beginning 1998-99, that no state funds are to be used to subsidize an intercity rail feeder service unless Caltrans determined that comparable service could not be provided with scheduled service by private operators without a subsidy. Requires Caltrans to submit a report, by January 1, 1999, on the provisions of the bill.

(In Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 543 (Perata-D) Transportation funding: San Francisco Bay Area

Amends the 1986 Bay Area County Traffic and Transportation Funding (BACTTF) Act to allow agencies that administer local transportation tax, and transportation agencies that were established subsequent to trhe enactment of the BACTTF, to sponsor transportation projects.

Chapter 173, Statutes of 1997

AB 584 (Villaraigosa-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Requires the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to appoint an inspector general, as specified, and establishes a code of conduct for the MTA.

Chapter 900, Statutes of 1997

Similar legislation is SB 794 (Hayden-D), which is in the Senate Transportation Committee.

AB 585 (Ashburn-R) Commercial weight fees: disposition

Requires 20% of the revenue derived from the imposition of commercial truck weight fees to be apportioned to counties (minus state administrative costs) from the State Highway Account, for the purposes of maintaining county roads.

Specifies that the funds will be distributed according to each county's proportionate amount of county maintained road-miles in the state.

(Failed passage in Assembly Transportation Committee; reconsideration granted)

AB 595 (Brown-D) Metropolitan Transportation Commission: fuel tax

Place before the voters a gasoline tax increase in the Bay Area in order to fund locally and regionally important transportation projects.

Chapter 878, Statutes of 1997

AB 653 (Papan-D) Fuel taxes: rates: inflation

Increases and stabilizes the revenue source for California's state highway maintenance and construction system, as financed by motor vehicle and diesel fuel excise taxes. Indexes the per-gallon tax on gas and diesel fuel according to the California Consumer Price Index.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 712 (Ackerman-R) Orange County funding exchange

Authorizes the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to exchange gasoline and diesel tax subventions for transit funds. Makes the exchange subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. On or before March 1 of each year, OCTA must inform the Director of Transportation of its plan for exchange and the amount to be exchanged.
2. The director must inform the Governor and the Legislature of the amount needed for exchange. The amount appropriated by the Legislature would be available for exchange.
3. The director and OCTA would exchange the funds appropriated pursuant to an agreement.

Vetoed by the Governor

AB 777 (Prenter-R) Cotton module movers: exemptions

Expands the definition of a "cotton mover" to include a truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer for purposes of exemption from registration requirements. Also exempts such combinations from vehicle inspection and safety equipment requirements, as well as special licensing requirements for drivers.

Requires that the $29 state vehicle registration fee continue to be paid for the specified truck tractors, but not for the vehicle license fee or truck weight fees.

Specifies that the proposed exemptions and other requirements apply to a truck tractor in combination with a specialized semitrailer, rather than the tractor-semitrailer combination.

Chapter 641, Statutes of 1997

AB 827* (Thomson-R) Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones: Route 12

Adds a specified segment off State Highway Route 12 between Suisun and Lodi to those highways where fines are required to be doubled for traffic violations. Extends for 2 years, until January 1, 2000, the termination date for double-fine zones on 5 existing highway segments.

Chapter 709, Statutes of 1997

AB 834 (Bowen-D) Vehicles: leaking fluid inspection program: Los Angeles Co.

Requires the Bureau of Automotive Repair to establish an advisory committee for the purpose of establishing a voluntary leaking automotive fluids inspection program for Los Angeles County.

(On Senate Inactive File)

AB 836 (Sweeney-D) Transactions and use taxes: administrative cost recovery

Limits the State Board of Equalization's (SBE) tax administration costs charges to special taxing districts to 1.5% of the revenue generated in the special taxing district by the SBE-administered tax.

(On Senate Inactive File)

AB 893 (Leach-R) Transportation: design-build contracting

Authorizes the Director of Transportation to conduct a demonstration to evaluate the benefits of the project "design-build" process.

(Failed passage in Senate Transportation Committee; reconsideration granted)

AB 924 (Richter-R) Flashing amber warning lights: disaster workers

Authorizes the use of flashing amber warning lights on vehicles operated by trained disaster workers during specified emergencies.

Chapter 144, Statutes of 1997

AB 946 (Washington-D) Crimes against transit drivers

Raises, from $2,000 to $10,000, the fines for specified crimes committed against public transit drivers and passengers.

Chapter 305, Statutes of 1997

AB 978* (Morrissey-R) Highways: conveyance of real property

Authorizes the Director of Transportation to accept other real property owned by a city as security for payment of the purchase price when conveying any real property or interest therein to that city for use as a park or for educational purposes.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 979 (Leach-R) Boating under the influence

Provides that the observation by members of the U.S. Coast Guard of specified misdemeanor boating violations is sufficient to be the basis of the reasonable cause to arrest the violator by a California peace officer.

Chapter 23, Statutes of 1997

AB 997 (Sweeney-D) San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District

Authorizes the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to acquire property necessaary or incidental to the exercise of its authority. Provides that the authority includes the authority to acquire property necessary for, incidental to, or convenient for, joint development and property physically or functionally related to rapid transit service or facilities, but does not include the authority to condemn property in eminent domain proceedings for the primary purpose of joint development.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

AB 1029 (Frusetta-R) Motorcycles: safety belts and helmets

Exempts from the motorcycle safety helmet requirement the driver of a specified enclosed 3-wheel motorcycle and, instead, makes the passenger motor vehicle seatbelt requirement applicable to such drivers.

Chapter 710, Statutes of 1997

AB 1074 (Papan-D) San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District: compensation

Authorizes the board of directors of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District to provide, by ordinance or resolution, that each director of the district shall be paid a sum that shall not exceed $1,000 for each month served, provided the director attended all scheduled meetings. Provides compensation of $100 per meeting, if the director fails to attend all scheduled meetings.

(On Senate Inactive File)

AB 1130 (Oller-R) Airports: land use commissions

Allows the creation of a "airport land use commission" for a single airport, if the airport is located in 2 counties.

Chapter 81, Statutes of 1997

AB 1141 (Murray-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Requires the Governor to appoint a state administrator to oversee the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and to assume all powers, including certain specific powers and duties that are granted to the authority, with the authority's board serving in an advisory capacity to the state administrator. Creates a 7-member commission that, by a 2/3 vote, would be authorized to override any decision or power exercised by the state administrator, as specified. Provides that when the commission determines that fiscal stability and compliance with a specific federal district court consent decree has occurred, the commission shall notify the state administrator whose office shall cease and the authority shall resume exercising the powers set forth in law. Requires the commission to evaluate existing statutes and administration policies and practices governing the authority and, on or before August 1, 1998, to make recommendations to the Legislature as to necessary statutory change. Allows for the commission to appoint a trustee to the authority and to reinstate the office of state administrator, if state or federal funding is withheld.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 1142 (Murray-D) Vehicles: registration fees: Consumer Price Index

Adjusts vehicle registration fees annually by the same rate as the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest dollar, after July 1, 1998.

(Assembly Third Reading File)

AB 1143 (Murray-D) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Establishes, relating to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a term of office for the chief executive officer (CEO), specifies conditions for his/her removal, eliminates alternate board members, and requires the CEO to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.

Chapter 151, Statutes of 1997

AB 1144 (Murray-D) Construction projects: specifications and standards

Requires the State Department of Transportation to verify that all construction projects performed under its jurisdiction meet or exceed departmental standards and specifications included in the project. Requires the random certification of quality control service providers to determine adherence to standards, and requires specified actions be taken if quality control problems are identified.

Vetoed by the Governor

AB 1145 (Perata-D) Transportation: traffic mitigation funding

Expresses legislative intent to reappropriate the State Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) traffic mitigation funding to the county to implement traffic mitigation plans developed by the county, upon a finding by the county board of supervisors that Caltrans has failed to do so.

(On Assembly Inactive File)

AB 1191 (Shelley-D) Fine for running red light

Increases the fine-plus-penalty assessments for running a red light from $104 to $270. Diverts 30% of the fine, plus penalty assessments, to the general fund of the city or county where the infraction occurred.

Chapter 852, Statutes of 1997

AB 1209 (Olberg-R) Speed limit

Authorizes a demonstration program in the town of Apple Valley establishing a 35 miles-per-hour prima facie speed limit.

Chapter 421, Statutes of 1997

AB 1226 (Granlund-R) Vehicle license fees: allocation for new cities

Extends, for 2 years, the 8-year and 5-year limitations imposed on cities incorporated after January 1, 1987 to use an alternate procedure for calculating the population estimates for purposes of vehicle license fee revenue allocation.

Chapter 583, Statutes of 1997

AB 1237 (Granlund-R) Outdoor advertising displays

Allows the State Department of Transportation to remove and destroy an unlawful billboard after 30 days' written notice, rather than 10 days' notice. Provides additional options for the relocation of billboards on property acquired for public use.

Chapter 473, Statutes of 1997

AB 1238 (Granlund-R) Schoolbus driver certificates

Requires the revocation of schoolbus or other specified bus driver certificates for 3 years, if the bus driver tests positive for a controlled substance. Requires bus driver applicant fingerprint forms to be processed and returned by various agencies within 15 working days.

Chapter 738, Statutes of 1997

AB 1256 (Havice-D) Outdoor advertising displays: exemptions

Exempts from the prohibition against placing advertising displays adjacent to landscaped freeways, a nonconforming billboard or advertising sign erected within the City of Artesia.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 1257 (House-R) Commercial vehicle inspections

Authorizes a 2nd consecutive administrative review of a motor carrier's truck terminal in place of a full terminal inspection for carriers with exemplary compliance and safety ratings. Provides that participation in the extended incentive program includes a motor carrier's acceptance of random, unannounced inspections by the California Highway Patrol.

Revises the description of "combination vehicles."

Chapter 210, Statutes of 1997

AB 1259 (Ackerman-R) Outdoor advertising: permits and fees

Requires the Director of Transportation to establish a renewal term of 5 years for permits for outdoor advertising displays, and to adopt regulations for permit renewal within a specified time period. Authorizes the State Department of Transportation to charge the owner of an unlawful advertising display a fine equal to the costs incurred by the department in removing and destroying nonconforming displays, and makes related changes.

Chapter 152, Statutes of 1997

AB 1261 (Baugh-R) Household goods carriers: inspections

Makes it a crime for the driver of a commercial, rental vehicle to refuse to submit to an inspection by any traffic officer for the purpose of determining whether a violation of the Household Goods Carriers Act has occurred. Authorizes an officer to stop and inspect such a vehicle when the officer had probable cause to believe a violation had occurred.

Chapter 250, Statutes of 1997

AB 1278 (Cardenas-D) Motortrucks and truck tractors: seatbelts

Extends the mandatory use of seatbelts and child passenger restraint systems to motortrucks and truck tractors.

Chapter 153, Statutes of 1997

AB 1297 (Morrow-R) Schoolbuses: flashing lights: safety plan

Requires every school or district providing pupil bus transportation services to prepare a transportation safety plan containing specified procedures, require the use of flashing red lights on schoolbuses at all stops and make related changes.

Chapter 739, Statutes of 1997

AB 1316 (Alquist-D) Santa Clara County Transit District

Makes several changes to the duties and authority of the Santa Clara County Transit District.

Chapter 373, Statutes of 1997

AB 1412 (Ducheny-D) Motorcycles: helmets

Limits the motorcycle helmet to drivers and riders who are under 18 years of age, making drivers and riders who are 18 years of age or older no longer required to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle.

(In Assembly Appropriations Committee)

AB 1425* (Campbell-R) Environmental Mitigation Program - Highway Projects

Reappropriates $626,259 from the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Demonstration Program for specified highway projects in Orange and Santa Clara Counties.

Chapter 650, Statutes of 1997

AB 1481 (Kuykendall-R) Transportation: Los Angeles County

Changes the membership of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) afteer July 1, 1999, as follows:

1. Reduces the members from 14 to 10, including 3 members selected by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 3 members selected by the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council, 3 members selected by the Los Angeles County City Selection Committee from 3 corridors established by the League of Cities in the county excluding the City of Los Angeles, and 1 non-voting member selected by the Governor.
2. Prohibits those selected by the board of supervisors and the Mayor from being elected officials.
3. Requires that the terms of the initial members be staggered.
4. Eliminates the authority of members to appoint alternate members.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

AB 1518 (Assembly Transportation Committee) Motor carriers of property

Makes technical, clarifying and minor policy changes to provisions regulating the operations of intrastate motor carriers of property (commercial trucking companies) which were enacted in the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1996.

Double-joined with AB 651 (Lempert-D).

Chapter 652, Statutes of 1997

AB 1561 (Assembly Transportation Committee) Miscellaneous transportation matters

Makes various technical, clarifying and minor policy changes relating to transportaiton as a means of avoiding numerous single-provision bills.

Chapter 945, Statutes of 1997

AB 1591* (House-R) Implements motor vehicle fee increases

Increases motor vehicle registration fees $1 from $28. States that some counties in the state have the authority to charge up to an additional $2 for specified air quality control measures and roadside call box service.

Increases vehicle transfer fees from $10 to $12, for some classes of vehicles, and from $9 to $11 for other classes of vehicles. Specifies that all fee increases are over a period of 3 years ($2 in 1997-98, $1 in 1998-99 and $1/$2 in 1999-2000).

Chapter 291, Statutes of 1997

AB 1611* (Ortiz-D) Bus drivers: special driver certificates

Requires persons driving buses transporting developmentally disabled persons to undergo background checks and obtain a special driver's certificate. Prohibits employers from hiring drivers for such transportation unless the drivers possess a valid special certificate.

Chapter 595, Statutes of 1997

AB 1613* (Scott-D) California Transportation Commission

Authorizes the California Transportation Commission to enter into an agreement with a county transportation commission or authority to advance funds for a project included in the State Transportation Improvement Program from resources estimated to be available to the county for any purpose in the most recently adopted fund estimate. Provides that the agreement would be upon the terms and conditions established by the commission.

(In Assembly Transportation Committee)

ACR 12 (Cunneen-R) State Highway Route 85

States the intent of the Legislature that the segment of Route 85 between Cupertino and San Jose be dedicated with plaques or markers indicating the name of each person who died on the highway segment as a result of a median crossover.

Resolution Chapter 111, Statutes of 1997

ACR 22 (Napolitano-D) Driver education

Makes a recommendation that schools include material that encourages the use of transit and alternative modes of transit as equally positive and enjoyable as the use of automobiles in driver education courses.

Resolution Chapter 66, Statutes of 1997

ACR 33 (Murray-D) Child Passenger Safety Week

Declares April 27 through May 3, 1997, as Child Passenger Safety Week.

Resolution Chapter 31, Statutes of 1997

ACR 57 (Goldsmith-R) Kumeyaay Highway

Designates a specified segment of Interstate Route 8 in San Diego County as the Kumeyaay Highway.

Resolution Chapter 112, Statutes of 1997

ACR 64 (Knox-D) High occupancy lanes

Asks the State Department of Transportation, the California Highway Patrol, and the State Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately recognize and enforce the high occupancy vehicle lane access restrictions exemption the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides for fleet "inherently low emission vehicles" on federal highways.

(In Senate Transportation Committee)

ACR 65 (Goldsmith-R) Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Designates the week of August 17 through August 23, 1997, as Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Resolution Chapter 83, Statutes of 1997

ACR 78 (Bordonaro-R) Willard H. Murray Freeway: Jack O'Connell Highway

Designates a specified segment of Highway Route 91 as the Willard H. Murray Freeway, and a specified segment of Highway Route 46 as the Jack O'Connell Highway.

Resolution Chapter 135, Statutes of 1997

AJR 8 (Honda-D) Truck size and weight standards

Urges the President and Congress to maintain the current standards relating to truck size and weight set forth in the current federal transportation act.

Resolution Chapter 67, Statutes of 1997

AJR 17 (Murray-D) Foreign trucks: safety compliance

Requests the President and Congress to maintain existing restrictions on trucks from Mexico and other foreign countries entering California, and to assure full compliance by truck owners and drivers with all highway safety, environmental and drug enforcement laws.

Resolution Chapter 86, Statutes of 1997

AJR 36 (Machado-D) Child passenger restraint systems

Urges the President and Congress to work together to promote and support practical methods of encouraging automobile manufactuers to address problems relating to child passenger restraint systems.

Resolution Chapter 115, Statutes of 1997

AJR 39 (Thomson-D) Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act

Memorializes Congress to reauthorize the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act in a manner favorable to California.

Resolution Chapter 131, Statutes of 1997

HR 7 (Migden-D) Airbags

Memorializes the President and Congress to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the coalition of motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers, law enforcement officials, medical organizations, public health organizations, safety advocacy groups, highway administrators, insurance companies, and safety officials in their combined effort to substantially reduce or eliminate the loss of life resulting from airbag development.

Memorializes NHTSA to take interim measures to reduce the loss of life among children and small-statured adults resulting from airbag deployment without jeopardizing the lives of others and that NHTSA continue to encourage the installation of smart airbags in passenger cars and light trucks starting with the 1999 model year.

Adopted