BILL NUMBER: AB 15 CHAPTERED 10/11/07 CHAPTER 484 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 11, 2007 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 11, 2007 PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 30, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 20, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 1, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 1, 2007 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Houston (Coauthor: Senator Torlakson) DECEMBER 4, 2006 An act to add and repeal Section 66537 of the Government Code, relating to Vasco Road. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 15, Houston. Metropolitan Transportation Commission: Vasco Road. Existing law creates the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as a local area planning agency to provide comprehensive regional transportation planning for the San Francisco Bay area counties. This bill would require the commission, in cooperation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, on or before September 30, 2008, to conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature containing recommendations to expedite approval and facilitate funding of the construction and maintenance of a median barrier on a specified portion of Vasco Road in Contra Costa County. The bill would authorize the commission to request funding to cover the cost of that study, as specified, and would also require the commission to establish a policy committee and a technical advisory committee, as specified. Because the bill would require local agencies to perform additional duties, it 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 shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act, but would recognize that local agencies and school districts may pursue any available remedies to seek reimbursement for these costs. AB 15, Houston. Metropolitan Transportation Commission: Vasco Road. Existing law creates the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as a local area planning agency to provide comprehensive regional transportation planning for the San Francisco Bay area counties. This bill would require the commission, in cooperation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, on or before September 30, 2008, to conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature containing recommendations to expedite approval and facilitate funding of the construction and maintenance of a median barrier on a specified portion of Vasco Road in Contra Costa County. The bill would authorize the commission to request funding to cover the cost of that study, as specified, and would also require the commission to establish a policy committee and a technical advisory committee, as specified. Because the bill would require local agencies to perform additional duties, it 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 shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act, but would recognize that local agencies and school districts may pursue any available remedies to seek reimbursement for these costs. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (a) Vasco Road, linking the residential communities of Brentwood, Oakley, and the adjacent unincorporated communities in Contra Costa County with the Alameda County employment centers in the Cities of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, has emerged as an important regional travel corridor. (b) Vasco Road is a two-lane county road that has poor geometry and sight distance, and is currently used by 22,000 vehicles per day. Local studies forecast that travel will grow substantially on that road during the next few years. SEC. 2. Section 66537 is added to the Government Code, to read: 66537. (a) On or before September 30, 2008, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, in cooperation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature that includes recommendations to expedite approval and facilitate funding of the construction and maintenance of a median barrier on Vasco Road between the Alameda County border and the intersection of Vasco Road and Camino Diablo in Contra Costa County. (b) The commission may request funding from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to cover the costs of the study specified in subdivision (a). To the extent that such funding is not provided, the commission shall use its existing resources to complete the study. (c) The commission shall establish a policy committee that includes representatives from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the commission. (d) The commission shall establish a technical advisory committee to advise the policy committee specified in subdivision (c). The technical advisory committee shall include representatives from the county government of Contra Costa County, the city governments of the Cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and other entities specified by the commission. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2010, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2010, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 3. No reimbursement shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act. It is recognized, however, that a local agency or school district may pursue any remedies to obtain reimbursement available to it under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) and any other provisions of law. SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (a) Vasco Road, linking the residential communities of Brentwood, Oakley, and the adjacent unincorporated communities in Contra Costa County with the Alameda County employment centers in the Cities of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, has emerged as an important regional travel corridor. (b) Vasco Road is a two-lane county road that has poor geometry and sight distance, and is currently used by 22,000 vehicles per day. Local studies forecast that travel will grow substantially on that road during the next few years. SEC. 2. Section 66537 is added to the Government Code, to read: 66537. (a) On or before September 30, 2008, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, in cooperation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature that includes recommendations to expedite approval and facilitate funding of the construction and maintenance of a median barrier on Vasco Road between the Alameda County border and the intersection of Vasco Road and Camino Diablo in Contra Costa County. (b) The commission may request funding from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to cover the costs of the study specified in subdivision (a). To the extent that such funding is not provided, the commission shall use its existing resources to complete the study. (c) The commission shall establish a policy committee that includes representatives from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the commission. (d) The commission shall establish a technical advisory committee to advise the policy committee specified in subdivision (c). The technical advisory committee shall include representatives from the county government of Contra Costa County, the city governments of the Cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and other entities specified by the commission. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2010, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2010, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 3. No reimbursement shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act. It is recognized, however, that a local agency or school district may pursue any remedies to obtain reimbursement available to it under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) and any other provisions of law.