BILL NUMBER: AB 1872	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Stone

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2014

   An act to amend Section 14000 of the Government Code, relating to
transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1872, as introduced, Stone. Transportation planning.
   Under existing law, the Legislature has made findings regarding
the need for continuing and improving transportation planning at the
state, regional, and local level.
   This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 14000 of the Government Code is amended to
read:
   14000.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:
   (a) Continued growth in transport demand resulting from population
growth, concentration of population in urban areas, and increasing
mobility requirements indicate a need for innovative, as well as
improved, systems to accommodate increased demand.
   (b) The diversity of conditions in California  is such as
to require   requires  a variety of solutions to
transportation problems within various areas of the state.
Differences in population levels and densities, living patterns,
social conditions, topography, climate, environmental circumstances,
and other factors should be recognized in determining appropriate
solutions to transportation problems in the various areas. Particular
attention must be given to differences among the metropolitan, the
less urbanized, and the more rural areas of the state. In some cases,
future demands, particularly in urban corridors, may prove to be
beyond the practical capabilities of a highway solution; while in
other cases, environmental conditions may rule out a highway
solution. In still other cases, heavy reliance upon highway
transportation may prove to be satisfactory for the foreseeable
future. Clearly, the appropriate mix of transportation modes
throughout California to provide economical and efficient
transportation service consistent with desires for mobility 
,  will vary markedly from time to time and from area to
area within the state.
   In all cases, regional and local expressions of transportation
goals, objectives, and policies  which   that
 reflect the unique characteristics and aspirations of various
areas of the state shall be recognized in transportation planning
tempered, however, by consideration of statewide interests.
   (c) A goal of the state is to provide adequate, safe, and
efficient transportation facilities and services for the movement of
people and goods at reasonable cost. The provision of adequate
transportation services for persons not now adequately served by any
transportation mode, particularly the disadvantaged, the elderly, the
handicapped, and the young, should be an integral element of the
planning process. Stimulation of the provision of transportation not
only for speed and efficiency of travel, but also for convenience and
enjoyment in shopping, school, cultural, and business pursuits,
leisure time travel, and pedestrian travel, is also a state aim. It
is the  desire   intent  of the state to
provide a transportation system that significantly reduces hazards to
human life, pollution of the atmosphere, generation of noise,
disruption of community organization, and adverse impacts on the
natural environment. The desirability of utilizing corridors for
multimodal transportation, where possible to improve efficiency and
economy in land use, is recognized. The coastal zone should be
provided with optimal transportation services consistent with local
and regional goals and plans, with the objective of conserving the
coastal resource.
   (d) The responsibilities for decisionmaking for California's
transportation systems are highly fragmented. This has hampered
effective integration of transportation planning and intermodal
coordination. A comprehensive multimodal transportation planning
process should be established  which   that
 involves all levels of government and the private sector in a
cooperative process to develop coordinated transportation plans.
   (e) Accelerating change and increasing transportation problems
require that California take timely action to maintain viable
transportation systems. As long lead times are necessary to develop
transportation systems, the planning and development of
transportation in California should be coordinated by a Department of
Transportation. A multimodal transportation department in state
government is in keeping with the necessities of contemporary
problems and the thrust of federal involvement. However, there is no
intent to diminish or preempt the existing authorities and
responsibilities of regional, local, and district transportation
agencies in their handling of transportation matters  which
  that  are local or regional in nature.
   (f) The stimulation, continuance, and improvement of statewide,
regional, and local transportation planning and development are a
matter of state concern, and the state should, for this reason,
provide a portion of the financial resources and assistance necessary
to aid in preparing transportation plans, developing effective
transportation decisionmaking processes, and carrying out
implementation programs.