Bill Text: CA AB40 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Toll bridges: pedestrians and bicycles.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-4)

Status: (Passed) 2015-10-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 550, Statutes of 2015. [AB40 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB40-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 40	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 15, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Ting and Levine

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act to add  Section 27567   Sections 2756
  7, 30114, and 30814  to the Streets and Highways
Code, relating to transportation.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 40, as amended, Ting.  Golden Gate Bridge: sidewalk
fees.   Toll bridges: pedestrians and bicycles. 

   Existing law provides for the construction and operation of
various toll bridges by the state, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway
and Transportation District, and by private entities that have
entered into a franchise agreement with the state.  
   This bill would prohibit a toll from being imposed on the passage
of a pedestrian or bicycle over these various toll bridges. 

   Existing law establishes bridge and highway districts and various
regional transportation authorities and transit districts, including
the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, and
prescribes the powers and duties of the district, including the power
to fix and collect all tolls for the use of the district's property.
 
   This bill would prohibit the district from fixing or collecting
any tolls or access fees for pedestrian and bicyclist use of the
Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Section 27567 is added to the 
 Streets and Highways Code   , to read:  
   27567.  No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian or
bicycle over any bridge that is under the jurisdiction of the
district, on which the travel of pedestrians and bicycles is
otherwise authorized. 
   SEC.   2   .    Section 30114 is
added to the   Streets and Highways Code   , to
read:  
   30114.  No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian or
bicycle over any state-owned bridge, on which the travel of
pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise authorized, and on which tolls
are imposed on the passage of motor vehicles. 
   SEC.   3   .    Section 30814 is
added to the   Streets and Highways Code   , to
read:  
   30814.  No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian or
bicycle over any bridge that is part of the state highway system, on
which the travel of pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise
authorized, and on which tolls are imposed on the passage of motor
vehicles, including any bridge constructed pursuant to a franchise
granted under this article.  
  SECTION 1.    Section 27567 is added to the
Streets and Highways Code, to read:
   27567.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) The Golden Gate Bridge is a treasured San Francisco Bay Area
landmark, attracting visitors from around the world. As a
transportation and recreation corridor, the bridge links highway and
trail traffic along the bay and it is crossed by tens of millions of
people each year.
   (2) Free bridge access for bicyclists and pedestrians is a
tradition making the bridge a vibrant part of life in the Bay Area
that is routinely enjoyed by area residents. It also provides an
incentive for the use of nonvehicular forms of transportation that
improve air quality, confront climate change, and encourage physical
activity.
   (3) The district was formed by the Legislature under authority of
the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway Act of 1923, and was incorporated
on December 4, 1928. At multiple times in recent years, the district
has considered and rejected charging sidewalk fees. Sidewalk fees
would directly contradict California's commitment to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and fostering healthy, sustainable
transportation strategies.
   (4) A sidewalk fee is wrong and unfairly burdens people biking and
walking. The state should work to expand access to this iconic
landmark, not limit it to only those who can afford to pay. The
Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks should remain free to the public.
   (b) Notwithstanding Section 27171 or any other provision of law,
the district may not fix or collect any tolls or access fees for
pedestrian and bicyclist use of the Golden Gate Bridge sidewalks.