Recent Streetsblog CALIFORNIA posts about State Capitol Updates

Interview: Mike Gatto Talks Hit and Runs and Why Jerry Brown Will Get Behind a “Yellow Alert” System

By Damien Newton | Apr 22, 2015 | 3 Comments

Last week, I conducted a phone interview with Assemblyman Mike Gatto, best known to Streetsblog readers for his tireless work fighting for tougher laws to prevent hit and run drivers. While Gatto’s efforts have proven popular with safety advocates, his center piece legislation to create a statewide hit and run alert system was vetoed last […]

Bill Asking for Delay in CEQA Reform Guidelines Amended But Alive

By Melanie Curry | Apr 21, 2015 | 5 Comments

An attempt by large developers to undermine promised reforms to the state’s landmark environmental review law (CEQA) is winding its way through the Assembly. The bill, A.B. 779, was watered down before being presented to the Assembly Transportation Committee on Monday. It now calls for delaying new CEQA guidelines, due from the Governor’s Office of […]

Republican’s Attempt to Undermine High Speed Rail on Hold…for Now

By Damien Newton | Apr 20, 2015 | 6 Comments

The Assembly Transportation Committee said “thanks, but no thanks” to A.B. 6, legislation by a Santa Clarita Republican that would give voters the chance to overturn $8 billion in bonds meant to fund California High Speed Rail. A.B. 6 was defeated by an unofficial vote of 7-4 (which will likely be 11-5 when the official […]

CA Legislative Update: Raise the Gas Tax? Cap and Trade, HOT Lanes

By Melanie Curry | Apr 17, 2015 | No Comments

Bills have started moving through committees in both houses of the California legislature as the hearing season starts. For those of you just joining us, we try to provide a regular roundup of legislation of interest to livable streets advocates. Highlights from the current session are included the bills below. Let us know if we […]

CA Bill to Prohibit Bridge Tolls for Bikes, Peds Passes Committee

By Melanie Curry | Apr 14, 2015 | 29 Comments

A bill in the California Assembly that would prohibit state-owned bridges from charging tolls for pedestrians and bicycle riders moved forward yesterday in committee. Assemblymember Phil Ting’s A.B. 40 passed the Assembly Transportation Committee with a vote of 31 to 2. The bill’s first draft would have applied only to the Golden Gate Bridge. The […]

Mandatory Helmet Bill Is Gutted: Now Asks for Study

By Melanie Curry | Apr 10, 2015 | 28 Comments

The mandatory bicycle helmet bill, Senator Carol Liu’s Senate Bill 192, has been dropped—or rather amended. Instead of requiring bicyclists to wear helmets, it calls on the Office of Traffic Safety to conduct a study of bicycle helmet use. Liu’s office released a statement, first reported by former Streetsblog San Francisco editor Bryan Goebel, explaining […]