SB 569: Department of Transportation: homeless encampments.

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate

Current Status:

In Progress

(2025-07-14: July 14 hearing postponed by committee.)

Introduced

First Committee Review

First Chamber

Second Committee Review

Second Chamber

Enacted

Version:

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of the state highway system, including associated property, and authorizes the department to require the removal of any encroachment in, under, or over any state highway. Existing law authorizes the department to establish maintenance programs related to highway cleanup, as specified.

This bill would require the department to coordinate with local governments to address and prevent homeless encampments located on department property and to establish a dedicated liaison office for this purpose. The bill would require the department to develop a joint action plan for each district of the department in which homeless encampments are located on department property in collaboration with local governments located in the district. The bill would require the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to allocate funds to support collaborative efforts with local governments to address homeless encampments on department property. The bill would require the department to establish an advisory committee in each district for the purpose of providing advice on the implementation of these provisions. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing specified information and recommendations regarding homeless encampments on department property.

This bill would require the department to establish a dedicated liaison to, among other things, facilitate communication with local governments and relevant state agencies with regard to addressing homeless encampments within the state highway system and to oversee the development and implementation of delegated maintenance agreements between local agencies and the department in which both work together to reduce and remove homeless encampments within the departments jurisdiction. The bill would authorize the department to grant a single general entry permit for the duration of a delegated maintenance agreement to conduct activities authorized by the bill. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing specified information and recommendations regarding homeless encampments.

Discussed in Hearing