BILL NUMBER: AB 400	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 17, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alejo

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2015

   An act to add Section 101.14 to the Streets and Highways Code,
relating to highway signs.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 400, as amended, Alejo. Department of Transportation:
changeable message signs.
   Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has
full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law, the
Outdoor Advertising Act, provides for the regulation by the
department of advertising displays, as defined, within view of public
highways. Existing law also authorizes the department to install and
maintain information signs along state highways.
   This bill would require the department, by June 30, 2016, to
update its internal policies to allow displays of safety,
transportation-related, and  voting-relating  
voting-related  messages on changeable message signs, as defined
 ,   subject to approval by the United States
Department of Transportation, as provided  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 101.14 is added to the Streets and Highways
Code, to read:
   101.14.  (a) Prior to June 30, 2016,  and subject to federal
approval as provided in subdivision (d)   ,  the
department shall update its internal policies to allow displays of
the following types of messages on changeable message signs:
   (1) Safety messages.
   (2) Transportation-related messages.
   (3) Reminders to register to  vote.   
 vote, not more than 14 days prior to the deadline to register to
vote in a particular statewide general, primary, or special
election. 
   (4) Reminders to vote as elections  approach. 
 approach, not more than 14 days prior to a particular statewide
general, primary, or special election. 
   (b) For purposes of this section, "changeable message sign" means
any electronic sign on a roadway with a changeable message typically
used to alert motorists of traffic conditions, unusual weather
conditions, emergencies, or other events.
   (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the
requirements of the Emergency Alert System or  
System,  the Amber Plan under Section 8594 of the Government
Code, or the  Blue Alert System  under Section
8594.5 of the Government Code.  The department shall give
priority to the display of emergency alerts, Amber Alerts, and Blue
Alerts over the messages authorized pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4)
of subdivision (a).  
   (d) The department shall not display any information on a
changeable message sign authorized pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4)
of subdivision (a) unless the United States Department of
Transportation, or any of its agencies, has expressly approved the
display of that information. If the department is advised by the
United States Department of Transportation, or any of its agencies,
that the display of information otherwise authorized by paragraph (3)
or (4) of subdivision (a) will result in the reduction of federal
aid highway funds to the state pursuant to Section 131 of Title 23 of
the United States Code, that display of information shall not be
made. 
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