Bill Text: CA AB400 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Department of Transportation: changeable message signs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-10-09 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 693, Statutes of 2015. [AB400 Detail]
Download: California-2015-AB400-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 400 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 693
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 9, 2015
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 9, 2015
PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 31, 2015
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 17, 2015
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Alejo
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
An act to add Section 101.14 to the Streets and Highways Code,
relating to highway signs.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 400, Alejo. Department of Transportation: changeable message
signs.
Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has
full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law, the
Outdoor Advertising Act, provides for the regulation by the
department of advertising displays, as defined, within view of public
highways. Existing law also authorizes the department to install and
maintain information signs along state highways.
This bill would require the department, by June 30, 2016, to
update its internal policies to allow displays of safety,
transportation-related, and voting-related messages on changeable
message signs, as defined, subject to approval by the United States
Department of Transportation, as provided.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 101.14 is added to the Streets and Highways
Code, to read:
101.14. (a) Prior to June 30, 2016, and subject to federal
approval as provided in subdivision (d), the department shall update
its internal policies to allow displays of the following types of
messages on changeable message signs:
(1) Safety messages.
(2) Transportation-related messages.
(3) Reminders to register to vote, as requested by the Secretary
of State, not more than two days prior to, and on the last day to,
register to vote in a particular statewide general election,
statewide primary election, or statewide special election conducted
pursuant to the Elections Code.
(4) Reminders to vote, as requested by the Secretary of State, as
elections approach, not more than two days prior to, and on election
day of, a particular statewide general election, statewide primary
election, or statewide special election conducted pursuant to the
Elections Code.
(b) For purposes of this section, "changeable message sign" means
any electronic sign on a roadway with a changeable message typically
used to alert motorists of traffic conditions, unusual weather
conditions, emergencies, or other events.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the
requirements of the Emergency Alert System, the Amber Plan under
Section 8594 of the Government Code, or the Blue Alert System under
Section 8594.5 of the Government Code. The department may give
priority to other messages, including, but not limited to, the
display of emergency alerts, Amber Alerts, Blue Alerts, safety
messages, and transportation-related messages, over the messages
authorized pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a).
(d) The department shall not display any information on a
changeable message sign authorized pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4)
of subdivision (a) unless the United States Department of
Transportation, or any of its agencies, has expressly approved the
display of that information. If the department is advised by the
United States Department of Transportation, or any of its agencies,
that the display of information otherwise authorized by paragraph (3)
or (4) of subdivision (a) will result in the reduction of federal
aid highway funds to the state pursuant to Section 131 of Title 23 of
the United States Code, that display of information shall not be
made.
