Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for the California Transportation Commission to adopt a highway on an authorized route. Existing law requires the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway portions that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment, and authorizes relinquishment in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 1 if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment, as specified.

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for the California Transportation Commission to adopt a highway on an authorized route. Existing law requires the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway portions that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment, and authorizes relinquishment in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 1 if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment, as specified.

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for the California Transportation Commission to adopt a highway on an authorized route. Existing law requires the commission to relinquish to local agencies state highway portions that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment, and authorizes relinquishment in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 1 if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment, as specified.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 2817

Author: Dixon (R)

Introduced: 2/15/24

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 15-0, 6/25/24

AYES: Cortese, Niello, Allen, Archuleta, Becker, Blakespear, Dahle, Dodd, Gonzalez, Laird, Limón, Newman, Nguyen, Seyarto, Umberg

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/15/24

AYES: Caballero, Jones, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 66-0, 5/22/24 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: State highways: Route 1: relinquishment

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill authorizes the commission to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 1 if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Identifies the California state highway system through a description of segments of the state’s regional and interregional roads that are owned and operated by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
2. Defines a “state highway” as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway according to legislative authorization.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature for the routes of the state highway system to connect the 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 that any expansion or deletion of the state highway system occurs through a statutory process requiring the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to make findings that it is in the best interest of the state to include or delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC, upon determining it is in the best interests of the state and upon an agreement being reached between the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Laguna Beach, to relinquish a portion of Route 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone.
2. Requires the city to ensure continuity of traffic flow, maintain traffic signal progression, and maintain signs along the segments in their jurisdiction directing motorists to the continuation of Route 1.

Comments

1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “The City of Laguna Beach, in my district, is hoping to improve State Route 1. Their goal to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach is one I encourage. Currently, Caltrans has possession and control over the State’s highways and is limited in the types of improvements it is able to make to those highways. This bill is necessary to formally begin the process of relinquishment of SR-1 within the boundaries of the City of Laguna Beach from Caltrans to the City.”
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. Route 1. The City of Laguna Beach would like to implement various street improvements and efficiencies along State Route (SR) 1 within the City limits. The goal is to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, “Unknown one-time Department of Transportation (Caltrans) costs, potentially minor but possibly in the millions, prior to the relinquishment of the designated segment of SR 1 to Laguna Beach (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/24)

City of Laguna Beach

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 66-0, 5/22/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Friedman, Gipson, Holden, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, McKinnor, Luz Rivas, Weber, Wilson

Prepared by: Madison Hinojosa / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121, Randy Chinn / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121

8/18/24 11:47:27

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 2817 (Dixon) - State highways: Route 1: relinquishment

Bill Summary:

AB 2817 would authorize the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish a specified portion of State Route (SR) 1 to the City of Laguna Beach.

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown one-time Department of Transportation (Caltrans) costs, potentially minor but possibly in the millions, prior to the relinquishment of the designated segment of SR 1 to Laguna Beach (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, and also from exposure to tort liability 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. The 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 1, known at various portions as the Pacific Coast Highway, Cabrillo Highway, Shoreline Highway, or Coast Highway, is a major north-south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the state, and is the longest state route in California at 656 miles. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 5 near Dana Point and its northern terminus is at US Route 101 near Leggett in Mendocino County, and it runs concurrently with US 101 in several areas. Several segments of SR 1 in Southern California have been relinquished to local jurisdictions through legislative action, including portions of SR 1 in Dana Point, Newport Beach, Santa Monica, and Oxnard.

Proposed Law:

AB 2817 would authorize the CTC to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach the portion of SR 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone. The relinquishment would be conditioned upon Caltrans and the City entering into an agreement providing for relinquishment, and the CTC making a determination that it is in the state’s best interest. On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, 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 City must ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion, including traffic signal progression, and maintain signs within its jurisdiction directing motorists to the continuation of SR 1.

Related Legislation:

AB 2082 (Juan Carrillo), which is currently pending in this Committee, would authorize the CTC to relinquish a specified portion of SR 138 to the City of Palmdale.

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. 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.

There is no relinquishment assessment report available at this time for the portions of SR 1 that are within the jurisdiction of Laguna Beach, and Caltrans has not identified a specific cost estimate for the relinquishment of this highway segment. Based on other relinquishments, however, one-time costs may range from minimal to 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. Actual costs and savings of this bill would be more certain if legislation to authorize relinquishment followed, rather than preceded, the completion of the cost-benefit analyses and agreements between Caltrans and the City of Laguna Beach. However, Caltrans does not typically conduct the necessary cost-benefit analysis and enter into negotiations until legislative authority for relinquishment has been provided. This bill would authorize the relinquishment of approximately 7 miles of SR 1 within Laguna Beach’s municipal jurisdiction.

Staff notes the following projects and funding have been approved in recent years along the segment of SB 1 that is subject to relinquishment under this bill:

• An adopted State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP) project on SR 1 from Ruby Street to Ledroit Street in the city of Laguna Beach to upgrade pedestrian facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards (curb ramps, sidewalk, and audible pedestrian crossing signals), and remove and replace over 10 lane miles of pavement with Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt (RHMA). Total projected costs are $11.95 million, and the expected completion date is September 30, 2025.
• An adopted $2.89 million dollar SHOPP project in 2023-24 on SR 1 in Laguna Beach to improve safety by modifying existing signals, adding safety lighting, adding protected left-turn signal heads, and upgrading facilities to ADA standards.
• A $5.85 million bridge replacement project in 2021-22 on SR 1 in Laguna Beach.
• An adopted $3.99 million 2020 SHOPP project on SR 1 from 7^th Avenue to Ruby Street to remove and replace pavement with RHMA.

The relinquishment of this portion of the highway would provide local authority over the SR 1 corridor in Laguna Beach, allowing city officials to maintain the roadway, and to make other improvements within the right-of-way without seeking approval from Caltrans through an encroachment permit. The City of Laguna Beach wants to make improvements to the Coast Highway to help achieve transportation and safety goals. According to the author, relinquishment would allow Laguna Beach to make improvements on SR 1 “to accommodate motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach.”

This bill authorizes CTC to relinquish to Laguna Beach the portion of SR 1 between Moro Ridge Road at the northern end and Via Mentone at the southern end. Staff notes, however, that Via Mentone is within the Dana Point city limits, and the portion of SR 1 between Eastline Rd (at the border with Laguna Beach) and Via Mentone has already been relinquished to the City of Dana Point. The author may wish to amend the bill to make this technical change, or to simply authorize CTC to relinquish the portion of SR 1 that is within the City of Laguna Beach’s jurisdiction.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Senator Dave Cortese, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/25/2024

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the commission to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 1 if the department and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Identifies the California state highway system through a description of segments of the state’s regional and interregional roads that are owned and operated by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
2. Defines a “state highway” as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway according to legislative authorization.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature for the routes of the state highway system to connect the 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 that any expansion or deletion of the state highway system occurs through a statutory process requiring the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to make findings that it is in the best interest of the state to include or delete a specified portion of roadway from the system.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC, upon determining it is in the best interests of the state and upon an agreement being reached between the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Laguna Beach, to relinquish a portion of Route 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone.
2. Requires the city to ensure continuity of traffic flow, maintain traffic signal progression, and maintain signs along the segments in their jurisdiction directing motorists to the continuation of Route 1.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “The City of Laguna Beach, in my district, is hoping to improve State Route 1. Their goal to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach is one I encourage. Currently, Caltrans has possession and control over the State’s highways and is limited in the types of improvements it is able to make to those highways. This bill is necessary to formally begin the process of relinquishment of SR-1 within the boundaries of the City of Laguna Beach from Caltrans to the City.”
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. Route 1. The City of Laguna Beach would like to implement various street improvements and efficiencies along State Route (SR) 1 within the City limits. The goal is to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development.

Related Legislation:

AB 2172 (Petrie-Norris, Chapter 126, Statutes of 2020). Relinquished to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 133.

AB 1456 (Kiley, Chapter 629, Statutes of 2019). Authorized the CTC to relinquish segments of Route 193 to the City of Lincoln.

AB 2679 (Committee on Transportation, Chapter 769, Statutes of 2012) —among other things, acknowledged the relinquishment of the portion of SR 193 that was located within the city limits of Lincoln at the time.

AB 2733 (Leslie, Chapter 362, Statutes of 2006) — authorized CTC to relinquish to the City of Lincoln the portion of SR 193 that was located within its city limits.

AB 2172 (Petrie-Norris, Chapter 126, Statutes of 2020). Relinquished to the City of Laguna Beach a specified portion of Route 133.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

Unknown.

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

June 19, 2024.)

SUPPORT:

None Received

OPPOSITION:

None Received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 2817

Author:(Dixon)

As Introduced Ver:February 15, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a portion of State Route (SR) 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone if the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Laguna Beach enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment.

COMMENTS

Relinquishment is defined as the statutory conveyance of all rights, title, interests, liability, and maintenance responsibilities of a state highway, or portion thereof, to another government entity, according to Caltrans' 2018 Project Development Procedures Manual. Caltrans possesses and controls all state highways. California Streets and Highways Code, Section 73 authorizes the CTC to relinquish transportation facilities to cities and counties. The relinquished facilities become city streets or county roads. Section 73 identifies four types of relinquishments: legislative enactment, superseded by relocation, collateral facility, or a non-motorized transportation facility.

Each session, numerous bills authorizing the relinquishment of segments of state highways 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 can delete the portion of a highway from the Streets and Highways Code or authorize CTC to relinquish the segment. The CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The relinquishment takes effect only after CTC approval and a certified copy of the relinquishment resolution is recorded in the county office of the recorder.

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 1. The City of Laguna Beach would like to implement various street improvements and efficiencies along SR 1 within the city limits. The goal is to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the character of Laguna Beach.

According to the Author

"The City of Laguna Beach, in my district, is hoping to improve State Route 1. Their goal to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach is one I encourage. Currently, Caltrans has possession and control over the State's highways and is limited in the types of improvements it is able to make to those highways. This bill is necessary to formally begin the process of relinquishment of SR-1 within the boundaries of the City of Laguna Beach from Caltrans to the City."

Arguments in Support

City of Laguna Beach writes, "The City of Laguna Beach is exploring opportunities to further improve SR 1 for its residents and visitors. AB 2817 will help the City reach its local transportation and safety goals…For these reasons, the City of Laguna Beach is proud to sponsor AB 2817 and thank you for supporting the City’s in your district."

Arguments in Opposition

Two Individuals, who write, "This was sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach with NO City Council discussion and no public awareness of this action. In fact at the Annual Planning meeting in January where this was mentioned there was no City Council vote, no discussion of this item…Please send this back to the City for a full discussion and full disclosure to the resident who will be on the hook for the money to maintain and improve this road."

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations:

Potential one-time costs to Caltrans, ranging from minor to up to several million dollars, prior to the relinquishment of the designated segments of SR 1 to the City of Laguna Beach (State Highway Account). These costs would likely be offset in future years by avoided maintenance on the relinquished segment.

VOTES

ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-0

YES: Wilson, Vince Fong, Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Juan Carrillo, Davies, Hart, Jackson, Lowenthal, Papan, Sanchez, Ting, Wallis, Ward, Wicks

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta, Villapudua

UPDATED

VERSION: February 15, 2024

CONSULTANT: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0002978

Date of Hearing: April 17, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2817

Author:(Dixon) – As Introduced Ver:February 15, 2024

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

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a portion of State Route (SR) 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone if the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Laguna Beach enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Potential one-time costs to Caltrans, ranging from minor to up to several million dollars, prior to the relinquishment of the designated segments of SR 1 to the City of Laguna Beach (State Highway Account). These costs would likely be offset in future years by avoided maintenance on the relinquished segment.

COMMENTS:

Legislation is required before any segment of state highway may be relinquished to another governmental entity. Relinquishment provides the recipient agency with greater control over a local transportation project and relieves Caltrans of any further responsibility to improve, maintain or repair infrastructure related to the relinquished segment of state highway.

SR 1 is a major north-south highway that runs along the California coast for over 600 miles. The state has relinquished to local governments several portions of SR that, in the view of Caltrans, do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs.

This bill proposes to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a segment of SR 1, provided the city and Caltrans enter into an agreement to do so. The city is the sponsor of this bill and describes its efforts to make improvements to the segment of SR 1 to help reach local transportation and safety goals. According to the author, the goal of this effort is “to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach.” The author contends the city’s ability to make these improvement is limited by the state’s control of the segment of SR 1.

Analysis Prepared by: Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 1, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Lori D. Wilson, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2817 (

Author:Dixon) – As Introduced Ver:February 15, 2024

SUBJECT: State highways: Route 1: relinquishment

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach a portion of State Route (SR) 1 that is located between Moro Ridge Road and Via Mentone if the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Laguna Beach enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment.

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. (Streets and Highways Code (SHC) Section 24)
2. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes. (SHC Section 300-365)
3. Establishes SR 1 as from:
4. Route 5 south of San Juan Capistrano to Route 101 near El Rio except for the portions of SR 1 relinquished:
5. Within the city limits of the City of Dana Point between the western edge of the San Juan Creek Bridge and Eastline Road at the city limits of the City of Laguna Beach;
6. Within the city limits of the City of Newport Beach between Jamboree Road and Newport Coast Drive;
7. Within the city limits of the City of Santa Monica between the southern city limits and Route 10; and,
8. Within the city limits of the City of Oxnard between Pleasant Valley Road and Route 101. (SHC 301)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Relinquishment is defined as the statutory conveyance of all rights, title, interests, liability, and maintenance responsibilities of a state highway, or portion thereof, to another government entity, according to Caltrans’ 2018 Project Development Procedures Manual. Caltrans possesses and controls all state highways. California Streets and Highways Code, Section 73 authorizes the CTC to relinquish transportation facilities to cities and counties. The relinquished facilities become city streets or county roads. Section 73 identifies four types of relinquishments: legislative enactment, superseded by relocation, collateral facility, or a non-motorized transportation facility.

Each session, numerous bills authorizing the relinquishment of segments of state highways 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 can delete the portion of a highway from the Streets and Highways Code or authorize CTC to relinquish the segment. The CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The relinquishment takes effect only after CTC approval and a certified copy of the relinquishment resolution is recorded in the county office of the recorder.

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 1. The City of Laguna Beach would like to implement various street improvements and efficiencies along SR 1 within the city limits. The goal is to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the character of Laguna Beach.

According to the author, “The City of Laguna Beach, in my district, is hoping to improve State Route 1. Their goal to accommodate motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to promote tourism and economic development and reflect the unique character of Laguna Beach is one I encourage. Currently, Caltrans has possession and control over the State’s highways and is limited in the types of improvements it is able to make to those highways. This bill is necessary to formally begin the process of relinquishment of SR-1 within the boundaries of the City of Laguna Beach from Caltrans to the City.”

In support, the City of Laguna Beach writes, “The City of Laguna Beach is exploring opportunities to further improve SR 1 for its residents and visitors. AB 2817 will help the City reach its local transportation and safety goals…For these reasons, the City of Laguna Beach is proud to sponsor AB 2817 and thank you for supporting the City’s in your district.”

Previous legislation. SB 1318 (Transportation), Chapter 491, Statutes of 2010 makes non-controversial changes to sections of law relating to transportation and housing, including cleaning up a number of old relinquishment statutes so that they conform to the standard format.

SB 504 (Monning), Chapter 504, Statutes of 2019 allows the CTC to relinquish segments of SR 1 in the City of Pismo Beach.

AB 2172 (Petrie-Norris), Chapter 126, Statutes of 2020 allows the CTC to relinquish a portion of SR 133 to the City of Laguna Beach.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

City of Laguna Beach (sponsor)

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093