Amended in Assembly April 15, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 40

Introduced by Assembly Members Ting and Levine

December 1, 2014

An act to add begin delete Section 27567 end delete begin insert Sections 2756 end insert begin insert 7, 30114, and 30814 end insert to the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 40, as amended, Ting. begin delete Golden Gate Bridge: sidewalk fees. end delete begin insert Toll bridges: pedestrians and bicycles. end insert

begin insert

Existing law provides for the construction and operation of various toll bridges by the state, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, and by private entities that have entered into a franchise agreement with the state.

end insert begin insert

This bill would prohibit a toll from being imposed on the passage of a pedestrian or bicycle over these various toll bridges.

end insert begin delete

Existing law establishes bridge and highway districts and various regional transportation authorities and transit districts, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, and prescribes the powers and duties of the district, including the power to fix and collect all tolls for the use of the district’s property.

end delete begin delete

This bill would prohibit the district from fixing or collecting any tolls or access fees for pedestrian and bicyclist use of the Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks.

end delete

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert . State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

begin insert

begin insert SECTION 1. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 27567 is added to the end insert begin insert Streets and
Highways Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 27567. end insert   

No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian
or bicycle over any bridge that is under the jurisdiction of the
district, on which the travel of pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise
authorized.

end insert

begin insert

begin insert SEC. end insert begin insert 2 end insert begin insert . end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 30114 is added to the end insert begin insert Streets and Highways
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 30114. end insert   

No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian
or bicycle over any state-owned bridge, on which the travel of
pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise authorized, and on which
tolls are imposed on the passage of motor vehicles.

end insert

begin insert

begin insert SEC. end insert begin insert 3 end insert begin insert . end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 30814 is added to the end insert begin insert Streets and Highways
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 30814. end insert   

No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian
or bicycle over any bridge that is part of the state highway system,
on which the travel of pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise
authorized, and on which tolls are imposed on the passage of motor
vehicles, including any bridge constructed pursuant to a franchise
granted under this article.

end insert

begin delete

SECTION 1.  

Section 27567 is added to the Streets and
Highways Code, to read:

27567.  

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:

(1) The Golden Gate Bridge is a treasured San Francisco Bay
Area landmark, attracting visitors from around the world. As a
transportation and recreation corridor, the bridge links highway
and trail traffic along the bay and it is crossed by tens of millions
of people each year.

(2) Free bridge access for bicyclists and pedestrians is a tradition
making the bridge a vibrant part of life in the Bay Area that is
routinely enjoyed by area residents. It also provides an incentive
for the use of nonvehicular forms of transportation that improve
air quality, confront climate change, and encourage physical
activity.

(3) The district was formed by the Legislature under authority
of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway Act of 1923, and was
incorporated on December 4, 1928. At multiple times in recent
years, the district has considered and rejected charging sidewalk
fees. Sidewalk fees would directly contradict California’s
commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering
healthy, sustainable transportation strategies.

(4) A sidewalk fee is wrong and unfairly burdens people biking
and walking. The state should work to expand access to this iconic
landmark, not limit it to only those who can afford to pay. The
Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks should remain free to the public.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 27171 or any other provision of
law, the district may not fix or collect any tolls or access fees for
pedestrian and bicyclist use of the Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks.

end delete