BILL NUMBER: AB 2823	CHAPTERED  08/16/04

	CHAPTER  238
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 16, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 16, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 29, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 20, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 20, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Benoit

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

   An act to add Section 101.12 to the Streets and Highways Code,
relating to highways.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2823, Benoit.  Highway signs.
   Under existing law, the Department of Transportation places and
maintains directional signs on state highways, including freeways.
   This bill would authorize the department to place and maintain
signs on state highways directing motorists to culturally unique and
historically significant communities if certain conditions are
satisfied.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 101.12 is added to the Streets and Highways
Code, to read:
   101.12.  The department may place and maintain, or cause to be
placed and maintained, signs on state highways directing motorists to
communities within the geographical boundaries of a city, county, or
city and county if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
   (a) The name of the community is culturally unique and
historically significant.
   (b) The name of the community has resulted from the influence of a
culture over a significant period of time.
   (c) The general public and media commonly recognize the name of
the community.
   (d) The community is located within a city, county, or city and
county.
   (e) Signs are consistent with the signing requirements for the
state highway system.
   (f) The geographical boundary of the community is within three
miles of the state highway exit.
   (g) Trailblazing signs are installed on the appropriate streets or
roads prior to installation of signs on the state highway.
   (h) The city, county, or city and county provides funds from
nonstate sources that cover all costs for the Department of
Transportation to place and maintain, or cause to be placed and
maintained, appropriate signs on state highways.
   (i) The governing body of the city, county, or city and county in
which the community is located adopts a resolution that does the
following:
   (A) Designates the name of the community that is to be used on
directional signs.
   (B) Defines the geographical boundaries of the community.
   (C) Requests the department to post signs on state highways.