BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 178
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 178 (Beth Gaines)
As Amended June 10, 2013
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(April 25, |SENATE: |33-0 |(July 8, 2013) |
| | |2013) | | | |
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Original Committee Reference: TRANS.
SUMMARY : Authorizes, until January 1, 2021, the placement of
business logo program signs along State Route 65 within the City
of Lincoln.
The Senate amendments limit the expansion of the California
Department of Transportation's (Caltrans') business logo program
to just State Route 65 within, or at exits leading to, the City
of Lincoln. The amendments also require Caltrans to report on
the implementation of this expanded (albeit slightly) program.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Directs Caltrans to adopt rules and regulations that allow the
placement near freeways identifying the presence of specific
roadside businesses offering food, lodging, camping services,
approved 24-hour pharmacy services, or specific approved
attractions, under the following conditions:
a) All business applicants must have equal access to the
program; and,
b) Caltrans is prohibited from placing business logo signs
within urban areas designated by the United State Bureau of
Census as having a population of 5,000 or more.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : The business logo program was originally created to
provide motorists with information regarding specific roadside
businesses offering gas, food, lodging, or camping services
alongside rural areas and to include 24-hour pharmacies or
AB 178
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specific attractions.
Implementing regulations promulgated by Caltrans set forth
criteria for businesses to be included in the program. For
example, gas stations must meet the following criteria:
1)The business must be generally neat, clean, and have a
comfortable appearance and an adequate scope of services.
2)For gas stations, a business must be located within one mile
of the freeway interchange and it must provide vehicle
services, including fuel, oil, tire repair, battery, and
radiator water. It must also provide public restrooms, water
fountains, and telephones and it must be open for a specified
number of hours per day.
Application of this bill's provisions will be limited to within,
or at exits leading to, the City of Lincoln.
The city's business community has been negatively impacted by
the opening of the Lincoln Bypass last year. The bypass diverts
traffic from the historic downtown and its fuel and food service
providers. Lincoln is not eligible to participate in the
business logo program because its population exceeds the
definition of rural.
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
FN: 0001279