HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06052007 - C.46 TO: Board of Supervisors
Contra
FROM: Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee - -� j.
(Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, Chair) R Costa
DATE: May 14, 2007 County
SUBJECT: Adopt positions on transportation legislation
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
ADOPT"support" positions for AB 478 and SB 445 and AUTHORIZE the Chair to sign support
letters, as recommended by the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT
NONE to the General Fund. AB 478 has no financial implications for the County. If SB 445 is
passed, the study it requires would lead to recommendations for new ways of funding
transportation improvements in California, which would benefit the County in the long run.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)?/ Su rvisor ale B. Uilkema ervisor Federal D. Glover
ACTION OF BOARD ON M 77APPROVED AS AECOMMENDEDX_ OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
YES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
SHOWN.
Contact: John Greitzer (925/335-1201)
cc: Community Development Department (CDD) ATTESTED
J. Bueren, PWD JOHN CULLEN, CLERK OF
L. Delaney, CAO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
S. Goetz, CDD AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
G:\Transportation\TWIC\2007\Board Orders\june 5legislation.doc BY DEPUTY
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION
May 14, 2007
Page 2
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Transportation,Water and Infrastructure Committee on May 14 reviewed several bills and
recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt "support" positions on two of the bills, AB 478
and SB 445.
AB 478, by Assemblymember Lois Wolk (D-Davis), would amend the Vehicle Code to allow
more effective lighting devices for bicyclists, and would require that bicyclists use the required
lighting and helmets on shared-use paths as well as roadways. Current law applies these safety
requirements only to roadways. The bill would allow bicyclists the option of wearing reflective
devices on their shoes or ankles, instead of on each pedal as is currently required. Bicyclists
believe this could provide better visibility because the shoe or ankle of the rider may be more
visible to motorists than the pedal underneath.
Assemblymember Wolk had introduced a similar bill several years ago, and the bill appeared on
its way to passage when an oil pipeline ruptured and spilled oil into the Suisun Marsh. To deal
with the emergency, Assemblymember Wolk amended her bicycle bill and used it to address
repair and clean-up issues in the Suisun Marsh.
Assemblymember Wolk has now reintroduced the bicycle safety bill with AB 478. The bill is co-
sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition and the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department.
The bill is supported by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. AB 478 is consistent with the County's
goal of encouraging safety improvements in the transportation system. The bill has passed the
Assembly and is in the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing.
SB 445, by Senator Tom Torlakson, would create an 11-member task force to study and
recommend new ways of financing transportation improvements in California. The bill was
introduced in recognition of the fact that revenue from the fuel excise tax(commonly known as
the"gas tax")—the primary statewide source of transportation funding—has not kept pace with
transportation needs since motor vehicles have become more fuel efficient over the years.The
task force would be required to report to the legislature and the governor by January 1, 2009
with recommendations based on its findings.
Senator Torlakson's staff has indicated it is his intent to minimize the cost of managing the task
force and the study, by having either.Caltrans or the California Transportation Commission fund
and perform the study using their own resources, without an additional budget allocation
specifically for the study. The Transportation,Water and Infrastructure Committee supports this
approach as outlined in the draft letter of support for the Chair's signature.The bill is currently in
the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Exhibit A is the letter of support for the Chair's signature, for AB 478.
Exhibit B is the letter of support for the Chair's signature, for SB 445.
Exhibit C is the full text of both bills, as reviewed by the Transportation,Water and Infrastructure
Committee on May 14.
EXHIBIT A
The Board of Supervisors Contra John Cullen
Clerk of the Board
Costa a,d
County Administration Building countyAd,,,;n;straax
651 Pine Street,Room 106 County (925)335-1900
Martinez,California 94553-4068
a - n
John Gioia,District I c r F
Gayle B.Uilkema,District II
Mary N.Piephu,District III
O
Susan Bonilla,District IV {,"+°'3"' a,C
-
Federal D.Glover, District V v
(Girl 101iN
June 5 2007
The Honorable Lois Wolk
8th Assembly District
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0008
Dear Assemblymember Wolk:
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors today adopted a position of support for your bill, AB 478,
which would improve bicyclist safety on roadways and bike paths.
The bill's inclusion of shared-use paths is important here in Contra Costa County where we have numerous
paths that are heavily used by bicyclists and pedestrians. AB 478 will provide bicyclists with more options
for safety lighting, helping to ensure bicyclists can be seek by others after dark. The bill is consistent with
Contra Costa County's goal of improving safety throughout the transportation system.
Thank you for your efforts to improve safety for bicyclists and other transportation system users.
Sincerely,
Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
MNPUG
G:\Transportation\TWIC\2007\Board Orders\june 5 legislation exhibit A.doc
c: Members,Board of Supervisors
The Hon.A.Lowenthal,Chair,and Members, Senate Transportation&Housing Committee
D.Barry,Community Development Director
L.Delaney,County Administrator's Office
M. Shin,Public Works Director
M.Watts,California Strategies&Advocacy
EXHIBIT B
The Board of Supervisors Contra John Cullen
P Clcrk of the Board
Costa and
County Administration Building County Adm»nistraam
651 Pine Street,Room 106 County (925)335-1900
Martinez,California 94553-4068 County
St
John Gioia,District I
Gayle B.Uilkema,District II
Mary N.Piepho,District Ili
Susan Bonilla,District IV
Federal D.Glover, District V
S r't MIT
June 5 2007
The Honorable Tom Torlakson
7th Senate District
State Capitol
Room 5050
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Torlakson:
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors today adopted a position of support for your bill, SB 445,
which would create a Road Users Task Force to explore new ways to finance transportation improvements
in California.
The Board is acutely aware of the need to develop reliable long-term revenue sources for transportation that
keep up with the costs of our transportation needs. We look forward to the recommendations that would
come from the study that your bill calls for.
Additionally, we support efforts to have the task force and its study staffed, managed and funded through
existing state resources, such as Caltrans or the California Transportation Commission. It is important to be
efficient and economical, no matter how important the study may be.
Thank you for your efforts to improve transportation in Contra Costa County and elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Mary N. Piepho,.Chair
Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
MNPUG
G:\Transportation\TWIC\2007\Board Orders\june 5 legislation exhibit B.doc
c: Members,Board of Supervisors
Members,Senate Appropriations Committee
The Hon.L.Hancock, 14`"Assembly District
The Hon.M.DeSaulnier, l Ith Assembly District
The Hon. G.Houston, 15th Assembly District
D.Barry,Community Development Director
L.Delaney,County Administrator's Office
M. Shiu,Public Works Director
M.Watts,California Strategies&Advocacy
i
EXHIBIT C
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE=2007-08 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 478
Introduced by Assembly Member Wolk
February 20,2007
An act to amend Section 21201 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 478, as introduced,Wolk. Vehicles:bicycle safety.
(1) The Vehicle Code regulates the safe operation of bicycles on
highways and roadways.Operation of a bicycle upon a highway,during
darkness,requires the use of an illuminated lamp and certain specified
reflecting devices. It is a crime to violate any provision of the Vehicle
Code.
This bill would expand the places where the operator of a bicycle is
required to use an illuminated lamp and certain specified reflecting
devices to shared use pathways, as defined.The bill would expand the
requirement that the operator of the bicycle have reflectors on each
pedal to include the option of having reflectors on his or her shoes or
ankles.
Because this bill would create a new crime,this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
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AB 478 —2—
The
2—The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 21201 of the Vehicle Code is amended
2 to read:
3 21201. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on'a roadway
4 unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator
5 to make one braked wheel skid on dry,level,clean pavement.
6 (b) No person shall operate on the highway–any a bicycle
7 equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate
8his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the
9 normal steering grip area.
10 (c) No person shall operate upon-any a highway a bicycle whien
11 is oF stieh a size as to prevent that is of a size that prevents the
12 operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an
13 upright position with at least one foot on the ground,and restarting
14 it in a safe manner.
15 (d) Every bieyele operated upon any highway during darkness.
16 ,
17 while the bieyele is in mation, ilitiminates the highway in front a
18
19 frant the sides of the bieyele-, (2) with a red refleetor on the rea
20 whielt shall be visible from a distanee of 500 feet to the rear whe
21
22 vehiele; (3) with a white or yellow refleetar an eaeb pedal visib!
23 from the ffent and rear of the bieyele fiant a distanee of 200 feet;
24 and (4) with a wh-ite or yellow refleetar on eaeh side forward a
25 the eenter of the bieyele,and with a white or red refleeter en eae
26 side to the rear of the eenter of the bieyele,
27 whieh an equipped with refleetarized tires on the front and th-e
28 rear need not be eqttipped with these side refleetors.Stieh refleeter.s
29 and re Peet-anizzeed tires shall be of a type ineeting reqttiretnents
30 established by the department.
31 (d) A.bicycle operated upon a highway or a shared use pathway
32 during darkness shall be equipped with all of the following:
33 (1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in
34 motion, illuminates the highway or shared use pathway in front
35 of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance.of 300 feet in front
36 and from the sides of the bicycle.
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-3— AB 478
1 (2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a
2 distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful
3 upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
4 (3) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle
5 visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of
6 200 feet.
7 (4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center
8 of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear
9 of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped
10 with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be
11 equipped with these side reflectors.
12 The reflectors and reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting
13 requirements established by the department.
14 (e) A lamp or lamp combination,emitting a white light,attached
15 to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
16 from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp
17 required by-elatm paragraph(1)of subdivision(d).
18 (0 For purposes of this section, "shared use pathway"means
19 a pathway that bicycles share with vehicles,pedestrians, or both.
20 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
21 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
22 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
23 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
24 infraction,eliminates a crime or infraction,or changes the penalty
25 for a crime or infraction,within the meaning of Section 17556 of
26 the.Government Code,or changes the definition of a crime within
27 the meaning of Section 6 of Article )MB of the California
28 Constitution.
O
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AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 8,2007
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 23, 2007
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 17,2007
AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 26, 2007
SENATE BILL No. 445
Introduced by Senator Torlakson
February 21,2007
An act to add and repeal Section 87-to of the Streets and Highways
Code,relating to transportation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 445,as amended, Torlakson. Road User Task Force.
Existing law provides various sources of revenue to fund state
highway and local road maintenance, operation, and improvement,
including a state-imposed per-gallon fuel tax of 18 cents.
This bill would create, until January 1, 2009, the Road User Task
Force, with 14 members appointed by the Legislature, Governor,
California Transportation Commission, city and county organizations,
and other specified entities. The bill would require the task force to
hold at least 3 public hearings around the state and to report to the
Legislature and Governor by January 1, 2009, on alternatives to the
current system of taxing road users through per-gallon fuel taxes.The
bill would make legislative findings and declarations in that regard.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
95
SB 445 —2—
The
2—The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2 following:
3 (a) An efficient transportation system is critical for California's
4 economy and quality of life.
5 (b) Per-gallon taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel and truck weight
6 fees are the dominant sources of funding for highway system
7 maintenance and expansion.
8 (c) The revenues currently available for state highways and
9 local roads are inadequate to preserve and maintain existing
10 infrastructure and to provide funds for improvements that would
11 reduce congestion and improve mobility.
12 (d) Increased vehicle fuel efficiency provides valuable energy
13 conservation and environmental benefits. However, per-gallon
14 fuel taxes will steadily generate less revenue as vehicles become
15 more fuel efficient and alternative sources of fuel are identified.
16 Declining revenues per vehicle mile traveled,coupled with inflation
17 and increasing construction costs, causes this revenue source to
18 fall short of meeting the state's transportation revenue needs.
19 (e) Between 1994,when fuel taxes were last adjusted,and 2006,
20 travel on the state highway system increased by 27 percent, from
21 144.2 billion to 183.4 billion vehicle miles traveled. Similarly,
22 travel on the local street and road system over the same period
23 increased by 12 percent, from 127.6 billion to 143 billion vehicle
24 miles traveled. Collectively, both the state and local systems
25 support nearly 20 percent more traffic today than just 12 years
26 ago.
27 (f) Thus,the trend is not favorable and,over time,the per-gallon
28 fuel tax will become a less effective mechanism for meeting
29 California's long-term transportation needs.
30 (g) It is therefore appropriate to convene a task force to consider
31 and make recommendations concerning alternatives to the current
32 system of taxing highway users through per-gallon fuel taxes.
33 SEC.2. Section 87 is added to the Streets and Highways Code,
34 to read:
35 87. (a) There is hereby created the Road User Task Force,
36 which shall consist of 14 members, as follows:
37 (1) Two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. .
38 (2) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
95
-3— SB 445
1 (3) Two members appointed by the Governor.
2 (4) Three members appointed by the California Transportation
3 Commission. In making appointments under this paragraph, the
4 commission shall consider individuals who are representative of
5 highway users'groups, including transit providers,the California
6 transportation research community, and national transportation
7 research and transportation policy bodies.
8 (5) One member appointed by the League of California Cities.
9 (6) One member appointed by the California State Association
10 of Counties.
11 (7) One member appointed by the California Transit Association.
12 (8) One representative from the California State Automobile
13 Association,on behalf of the motoring public.
14 (9) One representative from the Automobile Club of Southern
15 California,on behalf of the motoring public.
16 (b) The Road User Task Force shall conduct at least three public
17 hearings on alternative road user funding mechanisms.One hearing
18 each shall be conducted in southern California,the central valley,
19 and northern California.
20 (c) The Road User Task' Force shall submit a report to the
21 Legislature and Governor by January 1, 2009, with
22 recommendations on alternatives to the current system of taxing
23 road users through per-gallon fuel taxes.
24 (d) Appointees to the Road User Task Force shall receive no
25 salary or compensation other than reimbursement of actual and '
26 necessary expenses for attendance at meetings and hearings.
27 (e) Strict conflict-of-interest provisions shall be applicable for
28 each appointed member of the Road User Task Force and the
29 appointed members shall reflect the ethnic, cultural, and
30 geographic diversity of this state.
31 () This section shall remain in effect only until January],2009,
32 and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
33 is enacted before January 1, 2009, deletes or extends that date.
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