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state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.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 Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety, of Route 111 within its city limits, 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.

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state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.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 Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety, of Route 111 within its city limits, 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.

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state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.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 Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety, of Route 111 within its city limits or sphere of influence, limits, 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.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full control of the state highway system. Existing law authorizes the department to construct exclusive or preferential lanes for buses only or for buses and other high-occupancy vehicles.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to these provisions relating to exclusive or preferential lanes.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 2272

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 12-0, 6/12/18

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Dodd, Gaines, Galgiani, McGuire, Roth, Skinner, Vidak, Wieckowski, Wiener

NO VOTE RECORDED: Morrell

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/16/18

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

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 5/29/18 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion or the entirety of State Route (SR) 111 within the city’s limits.

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.
4. Provides for a two-step state highway relinquishment process allowing for the deletion of sections of the state highway system beginning with the Legislature amending existing law to allow for the state highway segment to be deleted and culminating with the CTC making a finding that it is in the best interest of the state to delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.
5. Relinquishes former portions of SR 111 within the unincorporated area of Riverside County, as well as within the Cities of Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City, and requires all these jurisdictions to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111 and ensure the continuity of traffic flow.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety of SR 111 within the city limits upon terms and conditions CTC finds to be in the best interest of the state.
2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following recordation of the relinquishment resolution.
3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segments will no longer be state highways and may not be considered for future adoption as state highways.
4. Requires the City of Palm Springs to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111.

Comments

1. Purpose. According to the author, “AB 2272 is needed in order to allow a potential relinquishment agreement to occur between the California Transportation Commission and the city of Palm Springs. Currently, all other cities in the Coachella Valley have authorization to relinquish a portion of Highway 111 through city limits.”
2. Relinquishments. Each session, the Legislature passes and the governor signs numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway system to local jurisdictions. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, CTC typically approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via a resolution.
3. SR 111. SR 111 is a 134-mile long highway that generally runs North and South through Riverside and Imperial Counties between Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, past the Salton Sea, and eventually ends at the Mexico border in Calexico. Writing in support of the bill, the City of Palm Springs asserts that SR 111 has been relinquished by the state to all the other incorporated cities within the Coachella Valley. As the last remaining incorporated city with SR 111 extending through it, this bill will provide for the city to obtain control of this urban section of the highway in the same way as the other cities within the Coachella Valley.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Unknown one-time costs to the Department of Transportation ranging from minor up to $10 million prior to the relinquishment of the designated portions of SR 111 to Palm Springs (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/16/18)

City of Palm Springs

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/16/18)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 5/29/18

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

Prepared by:

8/18/18 16:04:07

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

AB 2272 (Mayes) - State highways: relinquishment

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

Bill Summary:

AB 2272 would authorize the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion of State Highway Route (SR) 111 that is within the city limits, as specified.

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown one-time costs to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) ranging from minor up to $10 million prior to the relinquishment of the designated portions of SR 111 to Palm Springs (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 to perform 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.

SR 111 is a 134-mile long state highway that generally runs north and south through Riverside and Imperial Counties from Interstate 10 on the northern end, past the Salton Sea, to the Mexico border on the southern end. Portions of SR 111 in the unincorporated area of Riverside County and in the Cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert have previously been relinquished to those respective local jurisdictions.

Proposed Law:

AB 2272 would authorize CTC to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion or the entirety of SR 111 within the city limits, if Caltrans and the City enter into an agreement providing for the relinquishment, and upon a CTC determination that the relinquishment is in the state’s best interest. The relinquished portions of SR 111 would cease to be a part of the state highway system, and would be ineligible for future adoption as a state highway. The City of Palm Springs would be required to maintain signs on any relinquished portions that direct motorists to the continuation of SR 111.

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.

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. This bill would authorize the relinquishment of approximately 10 miles of SR 111 within the city limits of Palm Springs. The various segments of SR 111 within the Palm Springs city limits are known as North Palm Canyon Drive, East Vista Chino, North Gene Autry Trail, and East Palm Canyon Drive. The relinquishment of this portion of the highway would provide local authority over the roadway and 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 Palm Springs. 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 2272 Hearing Date: 6/12/2018

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion or the entirety of State Route (SR) 111 within the city’s limits.

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.
4. Provides for a two-step state highway relinquishment process allowing for the deletion of sections of the state highway system beginning with the Legislature amending existing law to allow for the state highway segment to be deleted and culminating with the CTC making a finding that it is in the best interest of the state to delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.
5. Relinquishes former portions of SR 111 within the unincorporated area of Riverside County, as well as within the Cities of Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City, and requires all these jurisdictions to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111 and ensure the continuity of traffic flow.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety of SR 111 within the city limits upon terms and conditions CTC finds to be in the best interest of the state.
2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following recordation of the relinquishment resolution.
3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segments will no longer be state highways and may not be considered for future adoption as state highways.
4. Requires the City of Palm Springs to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111.

COMMENTS

1. Purpose. According to the author, “AB 2272 is needed in order to allow a potential relinquishment agreement to occur between the California Transportation Commission and the city of Palm Springs. Currently, all other cities in the Coachella Valley have authorization to relinquish a portion of Highway 111 through city limits.”
2. Relinquishments. Each session, the Legislature passes and the governor signs numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway system to local jurisdictions. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been established, CTC typically approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via a resolution.
3. SR 111. SR 111 is a 134-mile long highway that generally runs North and South through Riverside and Imperial Counties between Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, past the Salton Sea, and eventually ends at the Mexico border in Calexico. Writing in support of the bill, the City of Palm Springs asserts that SR 111 has been relinquished by the state to all the other incorporated cities within the Coachella Valley. As the last remaining incorporated city with SR 111 extending through it, this bill will provide for the city to obtain control of this urban section of the highway in the same way as the other cities within the Coachella Valley.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

Assembly votes:

Floor: 78-0

Approps: 16-0

Trans: 12-0

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

June 6, 2018.)

SUPPORT:

City of Palm Springs

OPPOSITION:

None received.

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:

Author:(Mayes)

As Amended Ver:April 2, 2018

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion or the entirety of State Route (SR) 111 within the city’s limits. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety of
   SR 111 within city limits, upon terms and conditions CTC finds to be in the best interest of the state.
2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following recordation of the relinquishment resolution.
3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segments will no longer be state highways and may not be considered for future adoption as state highways.
4. Requires the City of Palm Springs to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111.

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.
4. Provides for a two-step state highway relinquishment process allowing for the deletion of sections of the state highway system beginning with the Legislature amending existing law to allow for the state highway segment to be deleted and culminating with the CTC making a finding that it is in the best interest of the state to delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.
5. Relinquishes former portions of SR 111 within the unincorporated area of Riverside County, as well as within the Cities of Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City, and requires all these jurisdictions to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111 and ensure the continuity of traffic flow.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Potentially significant one-time State Highway Account (SHA) costs depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the City of Palm Springs. 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 the California Department of Transportation (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' policy encouraging 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.

SR 111 is a 134-mile long highway that generally runs North and South through Riverside and Imperial Counties between Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, past the Salton Sea, and eventually ends at the Mexico border in Calexico.

According to the supporter of the bill, the City of Palm Springs, SR 111 has been relinquished by the state to all the other incorporated cities within the Coachella Valley; as the last remaining incorporated city with SR 111 extending through it, this bill will provide for the city to obtain control of this urban section of the highway in the same way as the other cities within the Coachella Valley.

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Thronson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0003054

Date of Hearing: April 18, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2272

Author:(Mayes) – As Amended Ver:April 2, 2018

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

SUMMARY:

This bill allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion of State Route (SR) 111 within the city’s limits if the CTC determines it is in the best interest of the state and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Palm Springs.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potentially significant one-time State Highway Account (SHA) costs depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the City of Palm Springs. 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 111 is a 134-mile highway that generally runs north and south through Riverside and Imperial counties. According to the City of Palm Springs, other portions of SR 111 have previously been relinquished by Caltrans to other incorporated cities within the Coachella Valley.
2. Costs depend on agreement between Caltrans and local jurisdictions. 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.
3. Related legislation.

AB 1764 (Salas), of the current legislative session, allows the CTC to relinquish SR 184 to Kern County and the City of Bakersfield. AB 1764 is on this committee’s suspense file.

AB 2473 (Bonta), of the current legislative session, allows the CTC to relinquish SR 185 to the City of San Leandro. AB 2473 is pending hearing in this committee.

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

Date of Hearing: April 9, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2272 (

Author:Mayes) – As Amended Ver:April 2, 2018

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion or the entirety of State Route (SR) 111 within the city’s limits. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Palm Springs any portion, or the entirety of
   SR 111 within city limits, upon terms and conditions CTC finds to be in the best interest of the state.
2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following recordation of the relinquishment resolution.
3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segments will no longer be state highways and may not be considered for future adoption as state highways.
4. Requires the City of Palm Springs to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111.

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.
4. Provides for a two-step state highway relinquishment process allowing for the deletion of sections of the state highway system beginning with the Legislature amending existing law to allow for the state highway segment to be deleted and culminating with the CTC making a finding that it is in the best interest of the state to delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.
5. Relinquishes former portions of SR 111 within the unincorporated area of Riverside County, as well as within the Cities of Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City, and requires all these jurisdictions to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 111 and ensure the continuity of traffic flow.

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 the California Department of Transportation (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' policy encouraging 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.

SR 111 is a 134-mile long highway that generally runs North and South through Riverside and Imperial Counties between Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, past the Salton Sea, and eventually ends at the Mexico border in Calexico.

According to the supporter of the bill, the City of Palm Springs, SR 111 has been relinquished by the state to all the other incorporated cities within the Coachella Valley; as the last remaining incorporated city with SR 111 extending through it, this bill will provide for the city to obtain control of this urban section of the highway in the same way as the other cities within the Coachella Valley.

Previous legislation: AB 2679 (Committee on Transportation), Chapter 769, Statutes of 2012, clarified existing law related to other relinquished portions of SR 111.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

City of Palm Springs

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Thronson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093