AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 2, 2024
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
98
Introduced by Assembly Member Friedman
February 15, 2024
An act to add Section 92.8 to the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal committee: yes Local program: no
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of the state highway system, including associated property. Existing law authorizes the department to do any act necessary, convenient, or proper for the construction, improvement, maintenance, or use of all highways that are under its jurisdiction, possession, or control.
This bill would require the department to mitigate the impact of infrastructure projects that interfere with or eliminate trail access to parks and recreational areas by maintaining safe access for users of existing trails or providing alternative safe access to those parks and recreational areas.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 92.8 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read:
92.8.
(a) The department shall mitigate the impact of infrastructure projects that interfere with or eliminate trail access to parks and recreational areas by maintaining safe access for users of existing trails or providing alternative safe access to those parks and recreational areas.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Infrastructure projects” means new or existing infrastructure funded or maintained by the department.
(2) “Trail” means any paved or natural surface path that is used for human passage, inclusive of multiuse, equestrian, cyclist, and pedestrian designations.
(3) “Users of existing trails” includes pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians.