Bill Text: CA AB1915 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Safe routes to school.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-09-27 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 640, Statutes of 2012. [AB1915 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB1915-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1915	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  640
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 22, 2012
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 27, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 26, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alejo

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2012

   An act to amend Section 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code,
relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1915, Alejo. Safe routes to school.
   Existing law requires the Department of Transportation, in
consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to
establish and administer a "Safe Routes to School" program for
construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming
projects, and to award grants to local agencies in that regard from
available federal and state funds, based on the results of a
statewide competition. Existing law sets forth various factors to be
used to rate proposals submitted by applicants for these funds.
   This bill would provide that up to 10% of program funds may be
used to assist eligible recipients in making infrastructure
improvements, other than schoolbus shelters, that create safe routes
to schoolbus stops located outside of the vicinity of schools.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is
amended to read:
   2333.5.  (a) The department, in consultation with the Department
of the California Highway Patrol, shall establish and administer a
"Safe Routes to School" construction program for construction of
bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects.
   (b) The department shall award grants to local governmental
agencies under the program based on the results of a statewide
competition that requires submission of proposals for funding and
rates those proposals on all of the following factors:
   (1) Demonstrated needs of the applicant.
   (2) Potential of the proposal for reducing child injuries and
fatalities.
   (3) Potential of the proposal for encouraging increased walking
and bicycling among students.
   (4) Identification of safety hazards.
   (5) Identification of current and potential walking and bicycling
routes to school.
   (6) Use of a public participation process, including, but not
limited to, a public meeting that satisfies all of the following:
   (A) Involves the public, schools, parents, teachers, local
agencies, the business community, key professionals, and others.
   (B) Identifies community priorities and gathers community input to
guide the development of projects included in the proposal.
   (C) Ensures that community priorities are reflected in the
proposal.
   (D) Secures support for the proposal by relevant stakeholders.
   (7) Benefit to a low-income school, defined for purposes of this
section to mean a school where at least 75 percent of students are
eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals under the National
School Lunch Program.
   (c) Any annual budget allocation to fund grants described in
subdivision (b) shall be in addition to any federal funding received
by the state that is designated for "Safe Routes to School" projects
pursuant to Section 1404 of SAFETEA-LU or any similar program funded
through a subsequent transportation act.
   (d) Any federal funding received by the state that is designated
for "Safe Routes to School" projects shall be distributed by the
department under the competitive grant process, consistent with all
applicable federal requirements.
   (e) Prior to the award of any construction grant or the department'
s use of those funds for a "Safe Routes to School" construction
project encompassing a freeway, state highway, or county road, the
department shall consult with, and obtain approval from, the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, ensuring that the "Safe
Routes to School" proposal complements the California Highway Patrol'
s Pedestrian Corridor Safety Program and is consistent with its
statewide pedestrian safety statistical analysis.
   (f) The department is encouraged to coordinate with law
enforcement agencies' community policing efforts in establishing and
maintaining the "Safe Routes to School" construction program.
   (g) In the development of guidelines and procedures governing this
program, the department shall fully consider the needs of low-income
schools.
   (h) Up to 10 percent of program funds may be used to assist
eligible recipients in making infrastructure improvements, other than
schoolbus shelters, that create safe routes to schoolbus stops that
are located outside the vicinity of schools.