BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2559
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Date of Hearing: May 4, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2559 (Frazier) - As Amended April 13, 2016
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|Policy |Arts, Entertainment, Sports, |Vote:|7 - 0 |
|Committee: |Tourism, and Internet Media | | |
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| |Transportation | |14 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill stipulates that, notwithstanding existing provisions
related to uniform traffic control devices, Caltrans may
authorize guide signs for any visitor center seeking a sign if
the visitor center is located within two miles, rather than
one-half mile, from the highway intersection.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 2559
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Potential minor costs to Caltrans to install any additional
signs ($1,000 to $3,000 per sign), to be reimbursed by the
visitor centers.
COMMENTS:
Background and Purpose. Regulations regarding traffic signs are
set forth in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD). This manual includes provisions governing
directional signs to tourist centers, including a requirement
that to be eligible for freeway signing, a visitor center must
be within one-half of a mile from the freeway. (Only signs
provided for in the MUTCD can be lawfully placed on public
roads.)
The author introduced AB 2559 to provide directional signs to
visitor centers currently ineligible for directional signage by
virtue of being more than one-half mile from a freeway. The
author hopes that more flexible criteria will increase
opportunities for visitor centers signs and increase motorists'
awareness and accessibility to California's many attractions and
destinations.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 2559
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