Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with possession and control of all state highways. Existing law requires the department, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways, as specified. Existing law specifically requires the department to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate Route 80, as specified.

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with possession and control of all state highways. Existing law requires the department, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways, as specified. Existing law specifically requires the department to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate Route 80, as specified.

This bill would require the department to ensure that all mountain passes under its control are open for operation by May 1 of each year. If it is projected that it is not feasible for the department to meet that requirement, the bill would require the department to publish on its internet website a written notice of which mountain passes it will not be able to open, including the documented causes, by April 1 of each year.

Date of Hearing: August 5, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1382

Author:(Alvarado-Gil) – As Amended Ver:April 6, 2026

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

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), before April 1 of each year, to the extent feasible, to notify an affected local official of Caltrans’ proposed schedule for opening a mountain pass. In addition, the bill requires Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass and publish the plan, at a minimum, on its internet website.

FISCAL EFFECT:

This bill will create significant new administrative work of Caltrans to identify affected local officials, develop an outreach plan and publish the plan on its website. Caltrans estimates annal costs to do so at approximately $575,000 (State Highway Account)—$375,000 for three positions, as well as $200,000 in what Caltrans characterizes as “operating expenses” to create the plan, as well as ongoing efforts to conduct public outreach, draft communications materials and communicate with media, emergency response personnel, and county agencies, respond to public inquiries, and participate in internal and external meetings in preparation for and during the winter season.

COMMENTS:

The state highway system includes several high mountain passes. Caltrans closes access to the roadways in winter and reopens them when conditions permit. The onset of winter-like conditions varies from year to year, as do the duration and severity of those conditions. So, too, Caltrans’ opening and closing of high mountain passes. Typically, Caltrans closes such roadways in December and has the goal of reopening all of them by Memorial Day of the following year. However, in recent years, Caltrans has reopened mountain pass roads as late as early June.

Caltrans posts road closures and openings on its website and via a mobile app. In addition, Caltrans says it sends road opening and closure notices to local officials and traffic advisories to local news outlets and posts on social media with estimates of mountain pass openings.

Nonetheless, the author relays the frustration of “rural residents and local officials” who have “consistently expressed frustration with limited visibility into expected opening timelines, making it difficult to plan for travel, commerce, and seasonal activity.” The author describes this bill as establishing a “reasonable and transparent framework” that “helps rural residents, businesses, and visitors better plan for seasonal access while maintaining necessary flexibility for safety considerations.”

The author’s view is echoed by several elected officials that represent constituents that rely on high mountain passes and the Rural Counties Representatives of California, the latter of which asserts the bill “allows for better planning, strengthens local economies, and promotes transparency, while continuing to allow Caltrans to prioritize safety.”

There is no opposition registered against this bill.

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

Date of Hearing: June 29, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Lori D. Wilson, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1382

Author:(Alvarado-Gil) – As Amended Ver:April 6, 2026

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUBJECT: Department of Transportation: mountain passes: openings.

SUMMARY: Requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), on or before April 1 of each year, to notify an affected local official and inform the public about its proposed schedule for closing and opening mountain passes on the state highway system. Specifically, this bill:

1. Defines “mountain pass” to mean a state highway that has a physical gate that is used to close the state highway through traffic during winter months or an emergency.
2. Requires Caltrans, to the extent feasible, on or before April 1 of each year, to notify an affected local official of its proposed schedule for opening a mountain pass.
3. Requires Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass. Requires the public outreach plan to include, but not be limited to, publishing that information on Caltrans’ internet website.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires Caltrans, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways including a plan and method for deicing state highways, using all appropriate deicing technologies, while maintaining highway safety; this plan must be incorporated into Caltrans budget proposals annually (Streets and Highways Code (SHC) §95.6).
   
2. Requires Caltrans to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate 80 (SHC §95.5).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Caltrans estimates annual ongoing costs of approximately $417,000 in staff time and workload across several Caltrans districts for external engagement with local officials and the public about mountain pass closures and potential opening dates, as well as the development of outreach plans by district staff that must also be reviewed by Caltrans headquarters. Costs to publish outreach plans on the Caltrans website would be absorbable.

COMMENTS: According to the author, “SB 1382 addresses ongoing concerns from rural communities regarding the lack of clear and timely communication about the opening of mountain passes under Caltrans’ control. While safety and weather conditions must guide operational decisions, rural residents and local officials have consistently expressed frustration with limited visibility into expected opening timelines, making it difficult to plan for travel, commerce, and seasonal activity. This bill establishes a reasonable and transparent framework by requiring Caltrans to inform local officials, where feasible, of proposed opening schedules by April 1 each year and to develop a public outreach plan to better communicate closures and openings to the public. By improving coordination with local governments and ensuring more consistent public communication, SB 1382 helps rural residents, businesses, and visitors better plan for seasonal access while maintaining necessary flexibility for safety considerations.”

Mountain passes are part of state highway system. The state’s rural highway system, encompassing over 30,000 lane miles, includes highways that traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Three of these highways include mountain passes in the Central Sierra managed by Caltrans, including the closing and re-opening of physical gates to restrict traffic. These passes are located in Caltrans District 10: Ebbetts Pass on State Route 4 in Alpine County, Monitor Pass on State Route 89 in Alpine County, and Sonora Pass on State Route 108 in Tuolumne County. Tioga Pass on State Route 120 in Mariposa County, which is the highest mountain pass in the state at 9,943 feet, is also closed during the winter but is located in Yosemite National Park and managed by the National Park Service.

The timing of the closure/opening of the above Caltrans-managed passes is based on considerations such as snow levels, weather conditions, public and worker safety, road damage, and public and economic interests. Caltrans has a goal of opening all three passes prior to Memorial Day, but the exact timeframes can vary greatly. Last year, Caltrans closed all three passes on December 26, 2025, and opened them between April 30 and May 6 this year. This year’s warm, early-spring conditions allowed Caltrans to begin snow removal operations on Sonora and Ebbetts Passes a week earlier than usual. However, in 2023, a record snow year, Caltrans opened Sonora and Ebbets Passes on June 8.

Can passes be safely opened sooner? According to the author, some local officials are concerned that Caltrans may be considering factors other than those mentioned above when opening passes like the Sonora pass, and that in lighter snow years the pass could be opened by as much as two to four weeks earlier. Perceived delays in opening the passes can cause frustration to tourism-dependent local businesses or residents needing to drive longer distances.

How much public notice is reasonable? Caltrans says that they rely on a number of communication channels to inform the public about road conditions such as the closure and opening of mountain passes in the Sierras. For example, real-time or near real-time information is published on Caltrans’ website and via a web and mobile app called QuickMap, a web and app tool that provides real-time traffic information such as closures, road conditions, and scheduled openings on the State highway system. Additionally, Caltrans District 10 sends notices to local officials and traffic advisories to local news outlets, and posts on social media with estimates of mountain pass openings. However, the author’s office notes that internet reliability may impede effective use of these mediums.

This bill requires Caltrans, on or before April 1st each year, to notify elected officials of their proposed schedule for opening the mountain passes. It does not define “affected local official” nor prescribe the means of notification, but presumably the local official would inform their constituents and the public. Additionally, this bill requires Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of the mountain passes, including publishing the information on its website. Caltrans currently posts general information on closing/opening of passes on its website.

Writing in support, Tuolumne County Supervisor Daniel Anaiah Kirk states, “For regions like Tuolumne County, predictable access through corridors such as Highway 108 is not just a convenience, it is an economic lifeline. Even small delays in opening can result in significant financial losses, while timely openings can generate substantial economic activity for local businesses, lodging, restaurants, and recreation providers.”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Martin Huberty, Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor

Daniel Anaiah Kirk, County of Tuolumne District 3 Supervisor

Rural County Representatives of California

Opposition

None received

Analysis Prepared by: Dan Chia / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 1382

Author: Alvarado-Gil (R), et al.

Amended: 4/6/26

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 12-0, 4/14/26

AYES: Cortese, Strickland, Archuleta, Arreguín, Blakespear, Dahle, Gonzalez, Grayson, Menjivar, Richardson, Seyarto, Wiener

NO VOTE RECORDED: Valladares

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/14/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

SUBJECT: Department of Transportation: mountain passes: openings

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), on or before April 1 of each year, to notify an affected local official and inform the public about its proposed schedule for opening mountain passes on the state highway system, as defined.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Vests Caltrans with possession and control of all state highways.
2. Requires Caltrans, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways, as specified.
3. Requires Caltrans to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate 80, as specified.

This bill:

1. Defines “mountain pass” to mean a state highway that has a physical gate that is used to close the state highway through traffic during winter months or an emergency.
2. Requires Caltrans, to the extent feasible, on or before April 1 of each year, notify an affected local official of its proposed schedule of opening a mountain pass.
3. Requires Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass. Requires the public outreach plan to include, but not be limited to, publishing that information on its internet website.

Comments

1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “SB 1382 addresses ongoing concerns from rural communities regarding the lack of clear and timely communication about the opening of mountain passes under Caltrans’ control. While safety and weather conditions must guide operational decisions, rural residents and local officials have consistently expressed frustration with limited visibility into expected opening timelines, making it difficult to plan for travel, commerce, and seasonal activity. This bill establishes a reasonable and transparent framework by requiring Caltrans to inform local officials, where feasible, of proposed opening schedules by April 1 each year and to develop a public outreach plan to better communicate closures and openings to the public. By improving coordination with local governments and ensuring more consistent public communication, SB 1382 helps rural residents, businesses, and visitors better plan for seasonal access while maintaining necessary flexibility for safety considerations.”
2. The state highway system. California has a large network of highways and local streets and roads, consisting of almost 400,000 lane miles of pavement and over 25,000 bridges. The state highway system, owned and managed by Caltrans, is made up of roughly 15,000 maintained miles, or 51,000 lane miles, and 13,000 bridges, including both federal and state highways. The rural state highway system in California includes over 30,000 lane miles, which predominantly consists of non-freeway, lower-speed, and conventionally designed highways. While the urban system has higher traffic volumes, the majority of the total state-maintained highway mileage is in these rural, lower-volume areas. Many rural areas have state highways that serve as their downtown main street. For example, State Highway 49 is the main street in San Andreas, in Calaveras County, and Sutter Creek, in Amador County, and State Highway 120 is the main street in Groveland in Tuolumne County.
3. Caltrans mountain passes. As part of California’s state highway network, Caltrans also manages highways that traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Of these highways, three include passes in the Central Sierra that are closed, with physical gates, during winter and reopened in the spring. Specifically, these passes, which are located in Caltrans Distrct 10, are Ebbetts Pass on State Route 4 in Alpine County, Monitor Pass on State Route 89 also in Alpine County, and Sonora Pass on State Route 108 in Tuolumne County. Additionally, Tiaoga Pass on State Route 120 in Mariposa County, which is the highest mountain pass in California at 9,943 feet, is also closed during the winter months. However, Tiaoga Pass is located on the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park and is therefore managed by the National Park Service.
4. When will the passes open? According to Caltrans, District 10 manages the timely seasonal closing and opening of the three passes, and it is not the same dates every year. They consider public and worker safety, public and economic interests, weather conditions, and existing snow levels as factors in determining the actual closing and opening dates from year to year. Last year, all three mountain passes were closed on December 26, 2025.

Although the locations for winter closures remain the same from year to year, the effort and time necessary for mountain pass openings can vary greatly. The major factors that affect the efforts are the amount of accumulated snow, the frequency and duration of late season spring storms, springtime temperatures, and winter damage to the roadway.

Caltrans maintenance crews typically begin removing snow from the roadway on the first Monday of April each year, and work seven days per week, if possible due to weather conditions, until each pass is free of snow and all roadway hazards before declaring them officially open for the spring and summer months. Specifically, the process of removing the snow requires Caltrans maintenance crews to wait for a break in winter weather, send a team to evaluate the situation, and then start unpacking and pulling out the snow. Typically, the snow can be 30-40 feet high and tower above the equipment. The maintenance crews start removing snow on both sides of the pass and meet in the middle. Finally, the roadway is assessed for possible damage, including signage and guardrails that may need to be replaced.

1. Concerns about timing. As noted, the date for opening the mountain passes varies from year to year but generally is mid to late May. According to information provided by the author from a Tuolumne County official, since 1986, the Sonora Pass has opened after May 1^st roughly 95% of the time, with a few years that it opened after Memorial Day, due to late heavy snow. Some local officials are concerned that Caltrans is not timing the opening of the passes based on conditions, and that in lighter snow years the road could likely be opened earlier, by two to four weeks.
2. This bill would require Caltrans to connect with locals and the public. According to Caltrans, they utilize a number of communication options for the local officials and the public to get information about weather conditions on the Sierra roadways, including the closure and opening of the mountain passes. For up-to-the minute updates, Caltrans has a website and app for mobile devices called QuickMap. Additionally, District 10 sends out notices to local officials, and traffic advisories to local news outlets and posts on social media with estimates of mountain pass opening.

This bill would require Caltrans, on or before April 1^st each year, to notify elected officials of their proposed schedule for opening the mountain passes. Additionally, this bill would require Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of the mountain passes, including publishing the information on its website.

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

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Caltrans estimates annual ongoing costs of approximately $417,000 in staff time and workload across several Caltrans districts for external engagement with local officials and the public about mountain pass closures and potential opening dates, as well as the development of outreach plans by district staff that must also be reviewed by Caltrans headquarters. Costs to publish outreach plans on the Caltrans website would be absorbable. (State Highway Account)

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/14/26)

Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor
Daniel Anaiah Kirk, District 3 Supervisor, County of Tuolumne
Rural County Representatives of California

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/14/26)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Tuolumne County Supervisor Daniel Anaiah Kirk states, “For regions like Tuolumne County, predictable access through corridors such as Highway 108 is not just a convenience, it is an economic lifeline. Even small delays in opening can result in significant financial losses, while timely openings can generate substantial economic activity for local businesses, lodging, restaurants, and recreation providers.”

Prepared by: Melissa White / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121

5/14/26 21:43:07

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

SB 1382 (Alvarado-Gil) - Department of Transportation: mountain passes: openings

Bill Summary:

SB 1382 would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to notify an affected local official of the proposed schedule for opening a mountain pass by April 1 of each year. The bill would also require Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of mountain passes, and to publish that information on its website.

Fiscal Impact:

• Caltrans estimates annual ongoing costs of approximately $417,000 in staff time and workload across several Caltrans districts for external engagement with local officials and the public about mountain pass closures and potential opening dates, as well as the development of outreach plans by district staff that must also be reviewed by Caltrans headquarters. Costs to publish outreach plans on the Caltrans website would be absorbable. (State Highway Account)

Background:

As part of California’s state highway system, Caltrans manages highways that traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Three of these highways include mountain passes in the Central Sierras that are closed with physical gates during winter and reopened in the spring. These passes, which are located in Caltrans Distrct 10, are Ebbetts Pass on State Route (SR) 4 in Alpine County, Monitor Pass on SR 89 also in Alpine County, and Sonora Pass on SR 108 in Tuolumne County. Additionally, Tioga Pass on SR 120 in Mariposa County, which is the highest mountain pass in California at 9,943 feet, is also closed during the winter months. The Tioga Pass is located primarily within Yosemite National Park, so the gates are managed by the National Park Service. The portion of SR 120 that is west of the eastern gate to Yosemite is also often closed in winter from Tioga Pass to five miles west of Lee Vining in Caltrans District 9. Caltrans also closes portions of other state highways, primarily in District 3, during winter months.

Although the locations for winter closures generally remain the same from year to year, the effort and time necessary for mountain pass openings can vary greatly. The major factors that affect the timing of opening passes are the amount of accumulated snow, the frequency and duration of late season spring storms, springtime temperatures, and winter damage to the roadways. Caltrans also considers public and worker safety, public and economic interests, and weather conditions when determining the closing and opening dates from year to year. Maintenance crews typically begin removing snow from the roadway on the first Monday of April each year, working seven days per week if conditions allow it, until each pass is free of snow and any roadway hazards. Once all snow is cleared, maintenance crews assess the roadway for possible damage, including signage and guardrails that may need to be replaced, before Caltrans can declare mountain passes are officially open for the spring and summer months.

Caltrans indicates that they use several methods of communicating information to local officials and the public about weather conditions on the Sierra roadways, including the closure and opening of mountain passes. For up-to-the minute updates, Caltrans maintains a website and app for mobile devices called QuickMap. In addition, district staff send out notices to local officials and traffic advisories to local news outlets, and also post information on social media with estimates of mountain pass opening dates.

Proposed Law:

AB 1382 would require Caltrans, by April 1 of each year and to the extent feasible, to notify an affected local official of the department’s proposed schedule for opening a mountain pass. This bill would also require Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass, including publishing that information on its website. For purposes of this bill, “mountain pass” is defined as a state highway that has a physical gate that is used to close the state highway to through traffic during winter months or an emergency.

Staff Comments:

This bill is intended to improve coordination between Caltrans and local government officials in rural communities to ensure more consistent public communication regarding the timing of mountain pass closures and openings, which would help rural residents, businesses and visitors better plan for seasonal access while maintaining necessary flexibility for safety considerations. Caltrans indicates that it would incur ongoing workload costs, the equivalent of approximately 3.0 PY of staff time across several districts, to develop public outreach plans for each affected mountain pass, conduct outreach with local officials on both ends of passes that are closed in winter months, and respond to inquiries from members of the public about closures and potential opening dates each year.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Senator Dave Cortese, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 4/14/2026

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), on or before April 1 of each year, to notify an affected local official and inform the public about its proposed schedule for opening mountain passes on the state highway system, as defined.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Vests Caltrans with possession and control of all state highways.
2. Requires Caltrans, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways, as specified.
3. Requires Caltrans to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate 80, as specified.

This bill:

1. Defines “mountain pass” to mean a state highway that has a physical gate that is used to close the state highway through traffic during winter months or an emergency.
2. Requires Caltrans, to the extent feasible, on or before April 1 of each year, notify an affected local official of its proposed schedule of opening a mountain pass.
3. Requires Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass. Requires the public outreach plan to include, but not be limited to, publishing that information on its internet website.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “SB 1382 addresses ongoing concerns from rural communities regarding the lack of clear and timely communication about the opening of mountain passes under Caltrans’ control. While safety and weather conditions must guide operational decisions, rural residents and local officials have consistently expressed frustration with limited visibility into expected opening timelines, making it difficult to plan for travel, commerce, and seasonal activity. This bill establishes a reasonable and transparent framework by requiring Caltrans to inform local officials, where feasible, of proposed opening schedules by April 1 each year and to develop a public outreach plan to better communicate closures and openings to the public. By improving coordination with local governments and ensuring more consistent public communication, SB 1382 helps rural residents, businesses, and visitors better plan for seasonal access while maintaining necessary flexibility for safety considerations.”
2. The state highway system. California has a large network of highways and local streets and roads, consisting of almost 400,000 lane miles of pavement and over 25,000 bridges. The state highway system, owned and managed by Caltrans, is made up of roughly 15,000 maintained miles, or 51,000 lane miles, and 13,000 bridges, including both federal and state highways. The rural state highway system in California includes over 30,000 lane miles, which predominantly consists of non-freeway, lower-speed, and conventionally designed highways. While the urban system has higher traffic volumes, the majority of the total state-maintained highway mileage is in these rural, lower-volume areas. Many rural areas have state highways that serve as their downtown main street. For example, State Highway 49 is the main street in San Andreas, in Calaveras County, and Sutter Creek, in Amador County, and State Highway 120 is the main street in Groveland in Tuolumne County.
3. Caltrans mountain passes. As part of California’s state highway network, Caltrans also manages highways that traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Of these highways, three include passes in the Central Sierra that are closed, with physical gates, during winter and reopened in the spring. Specifically, these passes, which are located in Caltrans Distrct 10, are Ebbetts Pass on State Route 4 in Alpine County, Monitor Pass on State Route 89 also in Alpine County, and Sonora Pass on State Route 108 in Tuolumne County. Additionally, Tiaoga Pass on State Route 120 in Mariposa County, which is the highest mountain pass in California at 9,943 feet, is also closed during the winter months. However, Tiaoga Pass is located on the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park and is therefore managed by the National Park Service.
4. When will the passes open? According to Caltrans, District 10 manages the timely seasonal closing and opening of the three passes, and it is not the same dates every year. They consider public and worker safety, public and economic interests, weather conditions, and existing snow levels as factors in determining the actual closing and opening dates from year to year. Last year, all three mountain passes were closed on December 26, 2025.

Although the locations for winter closures remain the same from year to year, the effort and time necessary for mountain pass openings can vary greatly. The major factors that affect the efforts are the amount of accumulated snow, the frequency and duration of late season spring storms, springtime temperatures, and winter damage to the roadway.

Caltrans maintenance crews typically begin removing snow from the roadway on the first Monday of April each year, and work seven days per week, if possible due to weather conditions, until each pass is free of snow and all roadway hazards before declaring them officially open for the spring and summer months. Specifically, the process of removing the snow requires Caltrans maintenance crews to wait for a break in winter weather, send a team to evaluate the situation, and then start unpacking and pulling out the snow. Typically, the snow can be 30-40 feet high and tower above the equipment. The maintenance crews start removing snow on both sides of the pass and meet in the middle. Finally, the roadway is assessed for possible damage, including signage and guardrails that may need to be replaced.

1. Concerns about timing. As noted, the date for opening the mountain passes varies from year to year but generally is mid to late May. According to information provided by the author from a Tuolumne County official, since 1986, the Sonora Pass has opened after May 1^st roughly 95% of the time, with a few years that it opened after Memorial Day, due to late heavy snow. Some local officials are concerned that Caltrans is not timing the opening of the passes based on conditions, and that in lighter snow years the road could likely be opened earlier, by two to four weeks.
2. SB 1382 would require Caltrans to connect with locals and the public. According to Caltrans, they utilize a number of communication options for the local officials and the public to get information about weather conditions on the Sierra roadways, including the closure and opening of the mountain passes. For up-to-the minute updates, Caltrans has a website and app for mobile devices called QuickMap. Additionally, District 10 sends out notices to local officials, and traffic advisories to local news outlets and posts on social media with estimates of mountain pass opening.

SB 1382 would require Caltrans, on or before April 1^st each year, to notify elected officials of their proposed schedule for opening the mountain passes. Additionally, the bill would require Caltrans to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of the mountain passes, including publishing the information on its website.

Writing in support of the bill, Tuolumne County Supervisor Daniel Anaiah Kirk states, “For regions like Tuolumne County, predictable access through corridors such as Highway 108 is not just a convenience, it is an economic lifeline. Even small delays in opening can result in significant financial losses, while timely openings can generate substantial economic activity for local businesses, lodging, restaurants, and recreation providers.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

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

April 8, 2026.)

SUPPORT:

Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor
Daniel Anaiah Kirk, District 3 Supervisor, County of Tuolumne
Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC)

OPPOSITION:

None received

-- END --