What’s down the turnpike for transportation bills this year?
By Damon Conklin, legislative affairs lobbyist, and Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor
There’s a lot for city officials to like in the 2024 lineup of new transportation legislation — and a few things to be puzzled by.
The good
Cal Cities is joining forces with the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council to co-sponsor SB 915 (Cortese). The bill would allow local officials to determine how autonomous vehicle services should be deployed in their communities — just like they do for taxicabs — if state agency approves operations. It would also allow local law enforcement and first responders to intervene when a driverless vehicle interrupts an emergency response.
The state’s haphazard approval of driverless vehicles sparked a backlash in San Francisco and elsewhere after a series of traffic snarls and accidents. In one incident, a Cruise vehicle ran over and dragged a pedestrian. The San Francisco Fire Department indicated that autonomous vehicles interfered with emergency responders over 70 separate times in 2023.
In other positive transportation news, Cal Cities is urging lawmakers to pass SB 1387 (Newman). This bill would expand a key voucher program to medium-duty zero-emission pickup trucks. Many local agencies have expressed concerns about meeting the Advanced Clean Fleet’s 2027 deadline due to a frustrating lack of viable, affordable vehicles. SB 1387 could help cities meet this goal: The medium-duty segment represents over half of the entire American truck market.
Cal Cities is also supporting SB 947 (Sevarto). The bill would ensure state agencies follow through on their agreements for late-stage design changes to some major state transportation projects. The California Department of Transportation often makes major changes to these projects at the last minute, leading to substantial delays and increased costs for cities. SB 947 recognizes that local budgets and roadway conditions should not be held hostage by late-state design changes.
The puzzling
Cal Cities took the lead in opposing SB 1418 (Archuleta) and is working on a set of amendments that address city concerns. The measure would force every city to adopt a streamlined permitting process for hydrogen fueling stations. The bill usurps local decision-making and creates a one-size-fits-all approach — regardless of a city’s resources or market conditions.
Currently, there are less than 70 hydrogen fueling stations in the state, with most clustered in Los Angeles County. Last month, there were more withdrawn permits than submitted permits, with only 18 pending for review across the state. Cal Cities has requested several changes, including funding for the mandate, clarity about which clean energy projects officials should prioritize, and tying implementation to local demand.
Cal Cities is also opposing AB 2744 (McCarty), which would limit new right-turn lanes and only allow right turns on red if the car is in a dedicated right-turn lane. The National Motorists Association says that their data shows such incidents account for less than two deaths every two years in California. Others have noted that larger vehicles play a much bigger role in traffic fatalities. Critics of similar bans have noted their impact on buses and low-income commuters of color.
What’s next?
Bills are now winding their way through policy committees and to appropriations. Legislators in both houses have until April 26 to get any bills with notable fiscal impacts through appropriations. Policy committee hearings are great opportunities for city officials to voice their support or opposition to a particular bill.
For more information about the biggest bill developments each week, check out Cal Cities’ recurring State Bills in Brief series.