Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Santa Clarita all or any portion of Sierra Highway, also known as Route 14U, located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state, if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Santa Clarita all or any portion of Sierra Highway, also known as Route 14U, located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state, if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Santa Clarita all or any portion of Sierra Highway, also known as Route 14U, located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state, if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1172

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 12-0, 6/20/17

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Atkins, Bates, McGuire, Mendoza, Morrell, Roth, Skinner, Wieckowski, Wiener

NO VOTE RECORDED: Gaines

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/17

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Hill, Nielsen, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/30/17 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish segments of the Sierra Highway (Route 14U) to the City of Santa Clarita, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Defines a "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
2. Identifies, statutorily, state highway system routes.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect communities and regions of the state and that they serve the state's economy by connecting centers of commerce, industry, agriculture, mineral wealth, and recreation.

This bill authorizes CTC, upon a determination that it is the best interest of the state to do so and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Santa Clarita, to relinquish all or a portion of Sierra Highway to the City.

Comments

1. Purpose. According to the author, “The City of Santa Clarita would like to take over control of a portion of the Sierra Highway within city limits between Golden Valley Road and Friendly Valley Parkway. Since the construction of the Antelope Valley Freeway, the Sierra Highway has fallen into disrepair. The City of Santa Clarita would like to continue to maintain a short portion that still services the local community before it too deteriorates to a degree that it is cost prohibitive to maintain.”
2. Relinquishments. Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway to local jurisdictions are passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, the Legislature authorizes CTC to relinquish the segment and CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The final step is for the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.

This bill is consistent with Caltrans' policies that encourage the relinquishment of state highways that do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs. Recipient agencies often seek relinquishment of state highways so that they can have greater control over the facility, which often serves as a local street.

1. Santa Clarita. The City of Santa Clarita is in support of this bill so that it can assume ownership of the approximately three-mile portion of Sierra Highway between Newhall Avenue and Friendly Valley Parkway. The City wants control of the highway so that it can ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Unknown one-time costs ranging from minor up to several million to Caltrans prior to the relinquishment of a portion of Sierra Highway to the City of Santa Clarita (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/17)

City of Santa Clarita

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/17)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/30/17

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gomez, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Chau, Choi, Eggman

Prepared by:

9/4/17 12:24:09

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

AB 1172 (Acosta) - State highways: relinquishment

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

AB 1172 would authorize the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Santa Clarita all or a portion of Sierra Highway, also known as Route 14U, that is located within the city limits, as specified.

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown one-time costs ranging from minor up to several million to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) prior to the relinquishment of a portion of Sierra Highway to the City of Santa Clarita (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.

Background:

Existing law identifies the California state highway system (SHS) through a description of segments of the state’s regional and interregional roads that are owned and operated by Caltrans. Existing law requires the CTC to relinquish to cities and counties segments of state highways that have been deleted from the SHS by legislative enactment. The CTC is prohibited from relinquishing a segment of state highway to a city or county that has been superseded by relocation until Caltrans has placed the highway into a “state of good repair,” which includes litter removal, weed control, and tree and shrub trimming, but does not obligate Caltrans for widening, new construction, or major reconstruction, unless directed by the CTC.

The Legislature has provided statutory authorization to CTC to relinquish a number of state highway segments to local jurisdictions under specified conditions. Relinquishment provides the recipient agency with greater control over local transportation projects and relieves Caltrans of any further responsibility to improve, maintain, or repair infrastructure related to the relinquished segment of state highway. Generally, relinquishments are subject to negotiated agreements between Caltrans and a local jurisdiction seeking control of a local highway segment. CTC must determine that the agreement for relinquishment, which has typically involved a one-time payment of State Highway Account funds to the local entity, is in the best interests of the state.

Historically, Caltrans has annually set aside $12 million of State Highway Operations and Protection Plan (SHOPP) funding for rehabilitation necessary for highway relinquishments. In recent years, however, Caltrans has not set aside funding to rehabilitate relinquished highways.

Proposed Law:

AB 1172 would authorize CTC to relinquish to the City of
Santa Clarita County the portions of Sierra Highway (Route 14U) located within the city limits, upon a determination that the relinquishment is in the state’s best interest. The relinquished segment would cease to be a part of the state highway system, and would be ineligible for future adoption as a state highway. The bill also includes legislative findings and declarations that indicate Santa Clarita is interested in assuming ownership over a specified segment of Sierra Highway that is approximately 3 miles long.

Staff Comments:

Caltrans may provide State Highway Account funding to a local entity that is assuming control over state highway segments in order to bring the roadway up to a “state of good repair,” although there is no statutory obligation to do so. The actual amounts vary for each relinquished highway segment and are determined by a negotiation of terms and conditions between Caltrans and the local jurisdiction, but those costs are based upon a cost-benefit analysis covering a ten-year period, which is included in a Project Scope Summary Report prepared for legislative relinquishments.

According to the bill’s findings and declarations, Caltrans retained ownership of, and maintenance responsibility for, a portion of Sierra Highway, also known as Route 14U, when the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR 14) was constructed through what is now the City of Santa Clarita to replace the conventional highway. According to the City of Santa Clarita, Caltrans maintains a segment of Sierra Highway from 500 feet north of Newhall Avenue to Whispering Leaves Drive, which is over 3 miles long. The remaining part of Sierra Highway through the City of Santa Clarita is maintained by the City and not part of the Route 14U designation.

SB 1172 also contains findings and declarations indicating that the City of Santa Clarita is interested in assuming ownership over, and maintenance responsibility for, the portion of Sierra Highway approximately between the intersection of Newhall Avenue and the intersection of Friendly Valley Parkway within the city limits. The City of Santa Clarita wants to assume ownership of the highway to ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.

Caltrans has not identified a specific cost estimate for the relinquishment of this highway segment, but based on other relinquishments, one-time costs may range from minimal up to $1 million per centerline mile of roadway depending on numerous factors such as roadway condition, projected maintenance costs, and any planned capital projects. Staff notes that over eight miles of Sierra Highway is located within the Santa Clarita city limits, but approximately 3 miles of the roadway is still owned and maintained by Caltrans. The relinquishment of this segment would relieve Caltrans of any future maintenance and repair costs, resulting in unknown long-term annual savings.

Actual costs and savings would be more certain if legislation to authorize relinquishment followed, rather than preceded, the completion of the cost-benefit analysis and an agreement between Caltrans and Santa Clarita. However, Caltrans does not typically conduct the analysis and enter into negotiations until legislative authority for relinquishment has been provided.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: AB 1172 Hearing Date: 6/20/17

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment.

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish segments of the Sierra Highway (Route 14U) the City of Santa Clarita, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Defines a "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
2. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect communities and regions of the state and that they serve the state's economy by connecting centers of commerce, industry, agriculture, mineral wealth, and recreation.

This bill authorizes CTC, upon a determination that it is the best interest of the state to do so and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Santa Clarita, to relinquish all or a portion of Sierra Highway to the City.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, “The City of Santa Clarita would like to take over control of a portion of the Sierra Highway within city limits between Golden Valley Road and Friendly Valley Parkway. Since the construction of the Antelope Valley Freeway, the Sierra Highway has fallen into disrepair. The City of Santa Clarita would like to continue to maintain a short portion that still services the local community before it too deteriorates to a degree that it is cost prohibitive to maintain.
2. Relinquishments. Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway to local jurisdictions are passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, the Legislature authorizes CTC to relinquish the segment and CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The final step is for the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.

This bill is consistent with Caltrans' policies that encourage the relinquishment of state highways that do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs. Recipient agencies often seek relinquishment of state highways so that they can have greater control over the facility, which often serves as a local street.

1. Santa Clarita. The City of Santa Clarita is in support of this bill so that it can assume ownership of the approximately 3-mile portion of Sierra Highway between Newhall Avenue and Friendly Valley Parkway. The city wants control of the highway so that it can ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.

Assembly votes:

Floor: 77-0

Approps: 17-0

Trans: 14-0

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

June 14, 2017.)

SUPPORT:

City of Santa Clarita

OPPOSITION:

None received.

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1172

Author:(Acosta)

As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2017

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC), upon a determination that it is the best interest of the state to do so and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Santa Clarita, to relinquish all or a portion of Sierra Highway (also known as Route 14U) to the city.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Defines a "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
2. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect communities and regions of the state and that they serve the state's economy by connecting centers of commerce, industry, agriculture, mineral wealth, and recreation.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Potentially significant one-time State Highway Account costs depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the City of Santa Clarita. For example, according to Caltrans recent highway relinquishments have ranged from no initial cost to the low tens of millions of dollars.
2. Moderate long-term maintenance and repair savings to Caltrans, if the CTC exercises its authority to relinquish the highway segment.

COMMENTS: Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway to local jurisdictions are passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, the Legislature authorizes CTC to relinquish the segment and CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The final step is for the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.

This bill is consistent with Caltrans' policies that encourage the relinquishment of state highways that do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs. Recipient agencies often seek relinquishment of state highways so that they can have greater control over the facility, which often serves as a local street.

The City of Santa Clarita is sponsoring this bill so that it can assume ownership of the approximately 3-mile portion of Sierra Highway between Newhall Avenue and Friendly Valley Parkway. The city wants control of the highway so that it can ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.

Analysis Prepared by: Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0000731

Date of Hearing: April 5, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1172

Author:(Acosta) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2017

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish all or a portion of State Route (SR) 14U, also known as the Sierra Highway to the City of Santa Clarita if the CTC determines that it is the best interest of the state and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Santa Clarita (City).

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potentially significant one-time State Highway Account (SHA) costs depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the City. For example, according to Caltrans recent highway relinquishments have ranged from no initial cost to the low tens of millions of dollars.
2. Moderate long-term maintenance and repair savings to Caltrans, if the CTC exercises its authority to relinquish the highway segment.

COMMENTS:

1. Background and Purpose. Legislation is required before any segment of state highway can be relinquished to another governmental entity. Relinquishment provides the recipient agency with more control over a local transportation project and relieves Caltrans of further responsibility to improve, maintain, or repair infrastructure related to the relinquished state highway segment. SR 14U, the Sierra Highway, is a 3-mile long roadways segment that extends from Newhall Avenue to Friendly Valley Parkway. The City of Santa Clarita is sponsoring this bill so that it can assume ownership of the highway to ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.
2. Costs Depend on Agreement Between Caltrans and County. According to Caltrans, in recent years the initial cost of relinquishments has ranged from no cost to over $14 million. These costs are driven by a number of factors, including the size of the roadway, the condition, projected maintenance costs and any planned capital projects. The actual cost of a particular relinquishment is negotiated directly with the local agency, but must be based on a cost-benefit analysis using a 10-year analysis period.

Analysis Prepared by: Jessica Peters / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 27, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1172 (

Author:Acosta) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2017

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC), upon a determination that it is the best interest of the state to do so and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Santa Clarita, to relinquish all or a portion of Sierra Highway (also known as Route 14U) to the city.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Defines a "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
2. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect communities and regions of the state and that they serve the state's economy by connecting centers of commerce, industry, agriculture, mineral wealth, and recreation.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway to local jurisdictions are passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, the Legislature authorizes CTC to relinquish the segment and CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The final step is for the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.

This bill is consistent with Caltrans' policies that encourage the relinquishment of state highways that do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs. Recipient agencies often seek relinquishment of state highways so that they can have greater control over the facility, which often serves as a local street.

The City of Santa Clarita is sponsoring this bill so that it can assume ownership of the approximately 3-mile portion of Sierra Highway between Newhall Avenue and Friendly Valley Parkway. The city wants control of the highway so that it can ensure the road is sufficiently maintained.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Janet Dawson / TRANS. /