BILL NUMBER: AB 400	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 31, 2015
	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-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,
as requested by the Secretary of State,  not more than 
14   two  days prior  to   to,
and on  the  deadline to   last day to,
 register to vote in a particular statewide  general,
primary, or special election.   general election,
statewide primary election, or statewide special election conducted
pursuant to the Elections Code. 
   (4) Reminders to  vote   vote, as requested
by the Secretary of State,  as elections approach, not more than
 14   two  days prior  to
 to, and on election day of,  a particular statewide
 general, primary, or special election.  
general election, statewide primary election, or statewide special
election conducted pursuant to the Elections Code. 
   (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, 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   may  give priority to  other
messages, including, but not limited to,  the display of
emergency alerts, Amber  Alerts, and   Alerts,
 Blue  Alerts   Alerts,   safety
messages, and transportation-related messages,  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.