California: Yet another bicycle legislation update 2013

The California legislature wrapped up the first year of their two year session last Friday. Damien Newton in Los Angeles tracked a few bills that may be of interest to you. I have a couple more here.

First of all, a correction: Damien mistakenly reports that AB 417 (CEQA exemptions for bike plans) died in Senate committee. In reality, AB 417 passed the Senate last Wednesday (on a consent calendar vote, no less). The Assembly concurred Senate amendments into the bill just before the session end last Friday. AB 417 would exempt bike plans from certain California Environmental Quality Act requirements. It currently awaits the Governor’s signature.

Three feet for safety: The other big bill we’re all waiting with bated breath for is AB 1371, California’s third try at a three feet passing law. Governor Brown has until September 21 to either sign or veto this bill.

Expanded membership in transportation commission: AB 1290, which expands membership in the policy-setting California Transportation Commission, passed last Thursday.

I-710 project: SB 811 passed last Thursday. This is the bill to require community input and environmental reviews for the I-710 project in Los Angeles.

Like AB 1371, SB 811 and AB 1290 await action from the Governor’s office. He has a huge pile of other legislation to peruse so it might be a while.

That “Blame the Victim” resolution by DeSaulnier and Evans, SR 17, thankfully died in the Senate rules committee. This Senate Resolution comes from the same playbook used by school principal Camillo Turriciano of New York City’s I.S. 73 after five of her students were seriously injured when an out of control maniac charged up onto the sidewalk with her S.U.V.

Damien covers some other legislation that may be of interest. Like him, I’ve also followed AB 60 (drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, last I’ve heard Governor will veto); AB 184 (statute of limitations for hit and run drivers); SB 731/743 (wider CEQA amendments outside of just bike projects).

I’ve also covered other 2013 bicycle legislation here that either passed earlier on the year or died in committee or on the floor of their respective chamber.

If you’d like to send a word of support or opposition to one of these bills, shoot a note to the Governor here.

One Comment

  1. Why no bills to address the CAUSE of this mayhem? Namely the untrammeled excess of the operators of the dangerous machinery that causes these deaths?

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