BILL NUMBER: AB 2147	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act to amend Section 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code,
relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2147, as introduced, V. Manuel Perez. Safe Routes to School
Construction Program.
   Existing law requires the Department of Transportation, in
consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to
establish and administer a "Safe Routes to School" construction
program pursuant to authority granted under specified federal law and
to use federal transportation funds for construction of bicycle and
pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects. Existing law requires
the department to make grants available to local agencies under the
program through a competitive grant process that considers various
factors in rating the proposals.
   This bill would additionally require, in rating a proposal, the
consideration of the proposal's benefit to a disadvantaged community,
as defined.
   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 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is
amended to read:
   2333.5.  (a) The department, in consultation with the Department
of the California Highway Patrol, shall establish and administer a
"Safe Routes to School" construction program for construction of
bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects.
   (b) The department shall award grants to local governmental
agencies under the program based on the results of a statewide
competition that requires submission of proposals for funding and
rates those proposals on all of the following factors:
   (1) Demonstrated needs of the applicant.
   (2) Potential of the proposal for reducing child injuries and
fatalities.
   (3) Potential of the proposal for encouraging increased walking
and bicycling among students.
   (4) Identification of safety hazards.
   (5) Identification of current and potential walking and bicycling
routes to school.
   (6) Consultation and support for projects by school-based
associations, local traffic engineers, local elected officials, law
enforcement agencies, school officials, and other relevant community
stakeholders. 
   (7) Benefit to a disadvantaged community, as defined in Section
79505.5 of the Water Code. 
   (c) Any annual budget allocation to fund grants described in
subdivision (b) shall be in addition to any federal funding received
by the state that is designated for "Safe Routes to School" projects
pursuant to Section 1404 of SAFETEA-LU or any similar program funded
through a subsequent transportation act.
   (d) Any federal funding received by the state that is designated
for "Safe Routes to School" projects shall be distributed by the
department under the competitive grant process, consistent with all
applicable federal requirements.
   (e) Prior to the award of any construction grant or the department'
s use of those funds for a "Safe Routes to School" construction
project encompassing a freeway, state highway or county road, the
department shall consult with, and obtain approval from, the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, ensuring that the "Safe
Routes to School" proposal compliments the California Highway Patrol'
s Pedestrian Corridor Safety Program and is consistent with its
statewide pedestrian safety statistical analysis.
   (f) The department is encouraged to coordinate with law
enforcement agencies' community policing efforts in establishing and
maintaining the "Safe Routes to School" construction program.