BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 2095|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2095
Author: Campos (D), et al.
Amended: 8/20/12 in Senate
Vote: 21
PRIOR VOTES NOT RELEVANT
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-0, 7/3/12
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Kehoe, Lowenthal, Pavley, Rubio,
Simitian, Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Harman
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not relevant
SUBJECT : Highway signs
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill permits, until January 1, 2014, the
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to erect highway
signs on the state highway system directing motorists to
notable communities, when consistent with existing law, if
in receipt of a resolution in support from the county and a
letter on non-opposition from the city in which the
community is located.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/20/12 add a sunset date of
January 1, 2014, and authorize Caltrans to continue to
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display any sign erected during the 2013 calendar year,
notwithstanding the sunset of this bill.
ANALYSIS : Existing law assigns Caltrans the
responsibility of operating and maintaining the state
highway system, including the installation and maintenance
of highway signs. In administering its duties, Caltrans
developed guidelines to use when considering whether to
erect non-required signage along the state's highways, in
this case for "culturally unique and historically
significant communities." In 2004, the Legislature
codified these guidelines in order to ensure consensus and
that state, local, and community interests all are
represented and respected.
Under existing law, Caltrans erects signs directing
motorists to these communities if all the following
conditions are satisfied:
The name of the community has resulted from the influence
of a culture over a significant period of time;
The general public and media commonly recognize the name
of the community;
Signs are consistent with the signing requirements for
the state highway system;
The geographical boundary of the community is within
three miles of the state highway exit;
Directional signs are installed on the local streets or
roads prior to installation of signs on the state
highway;
The local jurisdiction provides funds from nonstate
sources that cover all costs; and
The local jurisdiction's governing body adopts a
resolution designating the name and geographical
boundaries of the community and requesting Caltrans to
post the signs.
This bill:
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1. Permits Caltrans, until January 1, 2014, to erect
highway signs on the state highway system directing
motorists to notable communities, when consistent with
existing law, if in receipt of a resolution in support
from the county and a letter on non-opposition from the
city in which the community is located.
2. Authorizes Caltrans to continue to display any sign
erected in 2013, pursuant to this bill after the sunset
date.
Comments
According to the author's office, the City of San Jose is
home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of
Vietnam. The Vietnamese community's economic, social, and
cultural contributions have benefited all city residents
and tourists. For several weeks, the author has tried to
guide the City of San Jose through the administrative
process necessary to enable Caltrans to erect the requested
signage. Santa Clara County has passed a resolution in
support of the directional signs. Unfortunately, political
division on the city council has stymied the city's efforts
to convey to Caltrans its support for the signs. The City
has provided a letter clarifying that it does not oppose
the signs, however. Due to the City's lack of leadership
on this issue, the author's office believes this bill is
necessary to enable Caltrans to move forward with the
requested signage based upon the clear and overwhelming
support for such signage within the surrounding community.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/8/12)
Little Saigon San Jose Foundation
Santa Clara County Supervisor, George Shirakawa
Santa Clara County Supervisor, Dave Cortese
Vietnamese-American Community of Northern California
JJA:m 8/20/12 Senate Floor Analyses
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SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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