California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1872

Introduced by Assembly Member Stone

February 19, 2014

An act to amend Section 14000 of the Government Code, relating to transportation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1872, as introduced, Stone. Transportation planning.

Under existing law, the Legislature has made findings regarding the need for continuing and improving transportation planning at the state, regional, and local level.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 14000 of the Government Code is
amended to read:

14000.  

The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

(a) Continued growth in transport demand resulting from
population growth, concentration of population in urban areas, and
increasing mobility requirements indicate a need for innovative,
as well as improved, systems to accommodate increased demand.

(b) The diversity of conditions in California begin delete is such as to require end delete
begin insert requires end insert a variety of solutions to transportation problems within
various areas of the state. Differences in population levels and
densities, living patterns, social conditions, topography, climate,
environmental circumstances, and other factors should be
recognized in determining appropriate solutions to transportation
problems in the various areas. Particular attention must be given
to differences among the metropolitan, the less urbanized, and the
more rural areas of the state. In some cases, future demands,
particularly in urban corridors, may prove to be beyond the
practical capabilities of a highway solution; while in other cases,
environmental conditions may rule out a highway solution. In still
other cases, heavy reliance upon highway transportation may prove
to be satisfactory for the foreseeable future. Clearly, the appropriate
mix of transportation modes throughout California to provide
economical and efficient transportation service consistent with
desires for mobility begin delete , end delete will vary markedly from time to time and
from area to area within the state.

In all cases, regional and local expressions of transportation
goals, objectives, and policies begin delete which end delete begin insert that end insert reflect the unique
characteristics and aspirations of various areas of the state shall
be recognized in transportation planning tempered, however, by
consideration of statewide interests.

(c) A goal of the state is to provide adequate, safe, and efficient
transportation facilities and services for the movement of people
and goods at reasonable cost. The provision of adequate
transportation services for persons not now adequately served by
any transportation mode, particularly the disadvantaged, the elderly,
the handicapped, and the young, should be an integral element of
the planning process. Stimulation of the provision of transportation
not only for speed and efficiency of travel, but also for convenience
and enjoyment in shopping, school, cultural, and business pursuits,
leisure time travel, and pedestrian travel, is also a state aim. It is
the begin delete desire end delete begin insert intent end insert of the state to provide a transportation system that
significantly reduces hazards to human life, pollution of the
atmosphere, generation of noise, disruption of community
organization, and adverse impacts on the natural environment. The
desirability of utilizing corridors for multimodal transportation,
where possible to improve efficiency and economy in land use, is
recognized. The coastal zone should be provided with optimal
transportation services consistent with local and regional goals
and plans, with the objective of conserving the coastal resource.

(d) The responsibilities for decisionmaking for California’s
transportation systems are highly fragmented. This has hampered
effective integration of transportation planning and intermodal
coordination. A comprehensive multimodal transportation planning
process should be established begin delete which end delete begin insert that end insert involves all levels of
government and the private sector in a cooperative process to
develop coordinated transportation plans.

(e) Accelerating change and increasing transportation problems
require that California take timely action to maintain viable
transportation systems. As long lead times are necessary to develop
transportation systems, the planning and development of
transportation in California should be coordinated by a Department
of Transportation. A multimodal transportation department in state
government is in keeping with the necessities of contemporary
problems and the thrust of federal involvement. However, there
is no intent to diminish or preempt the existing authorities and
responsibilities of regional, local, and district transportation
agencies in their handling of transportation matters begin delete which end delete begin insert that end insert are
local or regional in nature.

(f) The stimulation, continuance, and improvement of statewide,
regional, and local transportation planning and development are
a matter of state concern, and the state should, for this reason,
provide a portion of the financial resources and assistance necessary
to aid in preparing transportation plans, developing effective
transportation decisionmaking processes, and carrying out
implementation programs.