BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 842 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 842 (Knight) - As Amended: June 25, 2014 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:13-0 (Consent) Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill: 1)Requires Caltrans to erect directional signs on state highways to each Veterans Home upon receiving sufficient funds from non-state sources to cover costs. 2)Requires that placement of the signs be consistent with criteria for signing to federal or state hospitals. FISCAL EFFECT Minor costs to Caltrans to provide and install the directional signs, fully covered by non-state funds. COMMENTS 1)Background . The placement of supplemental destination signs on state highways is ultimately the responsibility of Caltrans, based on guidance and standards approved by the Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices CUTCD and as set forth in the committee's manual. The committee generally only authorizes destination signs to facilities that attract large numbers of visitors, such as stadiums, convention centers, universities, airports, and museums. As an exception to this regulation, however, the committee manual establishes eligibility criteria for destination signs to federal or state hospitals, prisons, and national cemeteries, regardless of the number of visitors these facilities generate. The one criterion that applies to SB 842 Page 2 destination signs for this type of facility is the distance between the state highway and the facility, as follows: a) In major metropolitan areas, the distance from the state highway cannot exceed one mile. b) In urbanized areas, three miles. c) In rural areas, five miles. 2)Purpose . The California Department of Veterans Affairs maintains eight veterans' homes throughout the state. The author introduced this bill out of frustration stemming from Caltrans' inconsistent signing policies. Although none of the homes meet the eligibility requirements for destination signs under existing regulations, including the existing exception, which does not specifically cover veterans home, Caltrans nonetheless placed destination signs to veterans' homes in Yountville and Barstow. On the other hand, it reportedly denied requests for signs to three homes in West Los Angeles, Lancaster, and Ventura. This bill requires directional signs for all of the homes, subject to the location criteria in the state manual. Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081