This page is a reference sheet for pieces of legislation in the California State Legislature that relate to transportation, land use, and global warming. The list will include not just bills that are still making their way through the Legislature, but also relevant bills that have passed into law, and even a couple aborted bills that still may be useful to reference. For now, this list only includes bills that I have actively discussed in blog posts, but check back later for a more complete list. This page will be continually updated to include new bills and to update the status of current bills.

More bills coming soon!

AB 1358 (Complete Streets Act)

• Summary: Requires the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to create guidelines governing street design, to make streets safe and effective for the movement of all street users, where street users include “motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods, and users of public transportation.” Requires cities and counties to follow OPR guidelines when updating the circulation elements of their General Plans.
• Author: Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
• Status: Passed the legislature; awaits Governor’s signature.
• Read More: Complete Streets Act to Hit the State Senate Floor [7.31.2008], SB 375 and AB 1358 Are on the Governor’s Desk [9.8.2008]

AB 2558 (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority & Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission Fees)

• Summary: Authorizes Los Angeles MTA and the Bay Area MTC to levy climate change mitigation fees in their respective jurisdictions, in the form of either a motor vehicle fuel fee or a vehicle registration fee. MTA and MTC must both create expenditure plans to use the new funding to reduce global warming, in which at least two-thirds of funds must be applied to transit, and the remaining money is to be applied to “regional environmental and transportation needs,” including new infrastructure that encourages biking and walking, as well as programs that maximize efficiency of current freeway infrastructure (e.g. high occupancy vehicle lanes) without building new freeways. Expenditure plans must be passed by a majority of voters before they can be implemented.
• Authors: Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael).
• Status: Inactive, as of August 25, 2008. Bill withdrawn, to be replaced later by a new proposal.
• Read More: California Senate to Vote on Climate Change Fees [8.12.2008]

AB 2744 (Metropolitan Transportation Commission Fee on Motor Vehicle Fuel)

• Summary: Authorizes the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to levy a fee on each gallon of motor vehicle fuel purchased for 25 years and to apply that new revenue stream to fund climate change and transportation programs.
• Author: Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael).
• Status: Failed passage through Assembly Transportation Committee.
• Read More: California Senate to Vote on Climate Change Fees [8.12.2008]

AB 3034 (Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century)

• Summary: Amends the $9.95 billion high-speed rail bond measure Proposition 1 into Proposition 1A for the November 4, 2008 ballot. Affirms the Phase 1 spine from San Francisco to Los Angeles, via the Pacheco Pass. Maintains the $950 million of funds that are to be allocated for capital improvements to commuter and intercity rail. Adds key provisions to Proposition 1, including: (i) establishes oversight committee of the California High-Speed Rail Authority; (ii) requires the Authority to submit a new business plan by September 1, 2008; (iii) allows the Authority to allocate funds to secondary high-speed corridors, as long as doing so does not have an adverse impact on constructing the Phase 1 spine connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles.
• Author: Cathleen Galgiani (D-Tracy).
• Status: Passed Assembly (54-15); to be sent to Governor post-budget.
• Read More: From AB 3034 to November 4 [8.9.2008], AB 3034: The High-Speed Drama Continues [8.11.2008], Governor to Sign High-Speed Rail Bill [8.26.2008]