BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1175
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1175 (Walters)
As Amended August 18, 2014
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :36-0
TRANSPORTATION 13-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Lowenthal, Linder, |Ayes:|Gatto, Bigelow, |
| |Achadjian, Ammiano, | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| |Bloom, Bonta, Buchanan, | |Calderon, Campos, |
| |Daly, Frazier, Gatto, | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| |Patterson, Quirk-Silva, | |Holden, Jones, Linder, |
| |Waldron | |Pan, Quirk, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Wagner, |
| | | |Weber |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Allows extra-long semitrailers (up to 56 feet) used in
connection with the motorsports industry to operate on certain
roadways in California, under certain circumstances.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Updates requirements for the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) to conduct and report on field tests
of 56-foot truck tractor semitrailer combinations used in
connection with motorsports on transition routes in California
that connect sanctioned motorsport raceways to the national
highway network.
2)Requires Caltrans to update designated transition routes to
sanctioned motorsports events to reflect road projects
completed since the 1990s, update the transition routes every
five years thereafter, and develop new transition routes for
the truck tractor semitrailer combinations, as necessary, for
motorsport trucks with a trailer length of 56 feet.
3)Requires Caltrans to issue permits for 56-foot truck tractor
semitrailer combinations used in connection with motorsports
for travel on specified transition routes to and from
sanctioned motorsports events.
SB 1175
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4)Authorizes 56-foot truck tractor semitrailer combinations to
travel to the Sonoma, Pomona, and Fontana raceways without a
permit issued by Caltrans once all projects identified in
field tests for the transition routes are completed.
5)Makes related technical, non-substantive changes.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
1)Result in minor one-time special fund costs for Caltrans to
complete the field tests for the Fontana raceway and prepare
the Legislative report and minor costs every five years
thereafter to update and develop new routes, if necessary, and
to re-examine existing routes.
2)Result in Caltrans administrative costs to continue permitting
motorsports trailers to be covered by permit fees.
COMMENTS : Previous legislation, SB 1174 (Walters), Chapter 292,
Statutes of 2012, allowed 56-foot trailers used in connection
with sanctioned motorsports events to travel on transition
routes without a permit until January 1, 2018, pending the
completion of field tests. Once field tests for the Sonoma and
Pomona Raceways were completed, however, it was determined that
the extra-long semitrailers were not able to stay within their
respective lane when completing turns, thereby creating a
potentially dangerous traffic situation.
To address this, this bill requires all 56-foot trailers used in
connection with sanctioned motorsports events to obtain a permit
from Caltrans when traveling on transition routes to all
sanctioned raceways in California. For the three major raceways
(Sonoma, Pomona, and Fontana), however, field tests will be
completed on the transition routes leading to the raceways to
determine what projects, if any, are needed to allow for the
safe passage of these extra-long semitrailers. Once all
projects identified in the field tests are completed, permits
will no longer be required for travel on the routes where the
field tests were completed.
To date, field tests have been completed for the transition
routes leading to the Pomona and Sonoma Raceways. Given that
the Fontana Raceway also requires access by 56-foot long
SB 1175
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semitrailers and no field studies have been completed for that
route, this bill requires Caltrans to complete the field testing
on the route no later than January 1, 2017.
Previous legislation: SB 1174 deleted the authority of Caltrans
or a local government to issue those permits. Instead, SB 1174
explicitly allows, on specified federal and state routes and
until January 1, 2016, semitrailers of up to 56 feet in length,
if the distance from the KP-RA is not more than 46 feet and the
semitrailer is used primarily in connection with motorsports.
Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion
on this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-
2093
FN: 0004789