HomeMy WebLinkAbout022426 3.1LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM 3.1
TO: Mayor and Town Council February 24, 2026
SUBJECT: February Legislative Report
BACKGROUND
The State Legislature reconvened on January 5, 2026, to formally start the second year of
the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. While hundreds of bills have been introduced, many
lack substantive language, which we can expect to be worked out as they move through
policy committees. Key legislative focus areas include housing affordability, healthcare
reforms, consumer protections, public safety and social justice. The last day to introduce
bills was Friday, February 20 and will signal a change in legislative action, with the
beginning of legislative policy committee hearings to kickstart the bill consideration
process that runs until September 30.
DISCUSSION
Both individually and as part of the Tri-Valley Cities Coalition, the Town’s Legislative
Committee identifies and follows priority legislation. Priority determination is based
upon the Town’s legislative framework which is developed and reviewed annually by
the Danville Town Council (ATTACHMENT A) as well as a separate but related
framework developed by the Tri-Valley Cities Coalition (ATTACHMENT B) and
identifies seven focus areas for the 2026 State Legislative session including:
Transportation and Infrastructure, Climate, Environment, and Health, Public Safety,
Economic Development, Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Mental Health, and
Fiscal Sustainability and General Governance.
The Legislative Committee’s work is essential to ensure that the Town is well positioned
for advocacy work during the 2026 Legislative Session. The bills and positions that are a
priority for the Tri-Valley coalition are discussed in the second half of this report.
The following bills have been identified as having an impact on Danville.
AB 1421 (Wilson) Vehicles: Road Usage Charge Technical Advisory Committee
This bill would require the California Transportation Commission, in consultation with
February Legislative Update 2 February 24, 2026
the Transportation Agency, to consolidate and prepare research and recommendations
related to a road user charge or a mileage-based fee system. The bill would require the
commission to submit a report on the research and recommendations to the appropriate
policy and fiscal committees for the Legislature no later than January 1, 2027. The bill
would require the commission to consult with appropriate state agencies and other
stakeholders in preparing the research and recommendations.
Recommended Position: Watch
AB 1569 (Davies) Pupil safety: electric bicycle parking: safety program.
This bill would require schools that allows students in grades K-12, to park a class 1, 2,
or 3 electric bicycle on campus during regular school hours, to adopt a policy requiring
described students to complete the electric bicycle safety and training program
developed by the Department of California Highway Patrol or a related safety course as
conditions for parking on campus. The bill would also require described students to
submit proof of completion of the course to their school before parking their bicycle on
the school campus during school hours. The bill would exempt schools that adopted a
policy related to electric bicycle safety, on or before January 1, 2027, from the above-
described requirements.
Recommended Position: Watch
AB 1942 (Bauer-Kahan) Electric bicycles: registration and special license plates.
This bill would require class 2 electric bicycles and class 3 electric bicycles to be registered
with the Department of Motor Vehicles and to display a special license plate issued by
the department. The bill would require the department to adopt regulations to implement
these requirements and would make a person operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle
in violation of these requirements guilty of an infraction punishable by specified fines.
Recommended Position: Support
The following bill(s) have been identified as legislation to track during the 2026
Legislative Session by the Tri-Valley Cities Coalition.
AB 1557 (Papan) Vehicles: electric bicycles.
This bill would clarify that an electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable
pedals and an electric motor that is not capable of exceeding 750 watts of peak power.
Recommended TVC Position: Support
AB 1614 (Dixon) Vehicles: bicycles.
This bill would require a person operating a bicycle, including electric bicycles, on a Class
I bikeway to ride on or astride a permanent or regular seat unless designed to be ridden
without a seat. The bill also requires passengers to be on a separate seat attached to the
bicycle.
Recommended TVC Position: Support
February Legislative Update 3 February 24, 2026
AB 1708 (Solache) Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program: round 7.
This bill would require a continuum of care receiving funding pursuant to round 7, to
allocate funds to a smaller jurisdiction, defined as a city with a population under 300,000.
This bill would require a smaller jurisdiction, in order to be eligible, to adopt a resolution,
have a compliant housing element, and have adopted a local encampment policy.
Recommended TVC Position: Support
SB 922 (Laird) Vehicles: local agency charges: use of streets or highways.
This bill would explicitly state that a fee, charge, or surcharged imposed by or for a local
agency to recover the cost of street maintenance and repair and other costs associated
with the use of its streets, roads, or highways to provide public service or public.
Recommended TVC Position: Support
Additional Advocacy Efforts
In January, the Tri-Valley Cities Mayors participated in the annual federal advocacy trip
in Washington D.C. to meet with Congressional Offices, as well as Agency and
Department Administrators to communicate the coalition’s policy priorities and continue
to foster relationships with key stakeholders. Meetings were held with:
•Office of Senator Alex Padilla
•Office of Senator Adam Schiff
•Office of Representative Eric Swalwell
•Office of Representative John Garamendi
•Office of Representative Mark DeSaulnier
•Office of Representative John Harder
•U.S. Department of Transportation
The Tri-Valley Cities Council will meet on March 25. Agenda items include a legislative
update from Townsend Public Affairs and the League of California Cities.
State Budget
In the beginning of January, Governor Newsom released his budget proposal for the
2026-2027 fiscal year. The $348.9 billion Proposed Budget reflects a modest projected
shortfall of approximately $2.9 billion, driven primarily by constitutionally and
statutorily required spending increases rather than discretionary program growth. In
particular, stronger than anticipated revenue collections trigger higher mandatory
funding obligations for K-14 education under Proposition 98 and required deposits to
state reserves under Proposition 2. These automatic formulas, rather than new policy
decisions, account for the bulk of the projected imbalance.
This Governor’s estimated shortfall is considerably more optimistic than the Legislative
Analyst’s Office’s November forecast of an $18 billion deficit. The difference is largely
attributable to sharply divergent revenue assumptions. The Administration is relying on
recent months of exceptionally strong personal income and corporate tax collections,
February Legislative Update 4 February 24, 2026
driven in large part by California’s continued dominance in the artificial intelligence
sector and elevated capital gains realizations. By contrast, the LAO’s forecast assumes a
more conservative economic outlook, including a potential cooling of equity markets and
a possible “AI bubble” correction that would reduce capital gains and high-income tax
receipts.
The May Revision will reflect update revenue projections following the spring tax season
and is expected to include a two-year balancing strategy for both 2026–27 and 2027–28.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Town Council Legislative Sub-Committee accept this report
and direct any questions and/or direction to Town legislative staff.
Prepared by:
Cat Bravo
Management Analyst
Reviewed by:
Tai J. Williams
Town Manager
Attachment A – Danville Legislative Framework
Attachment B – Tri-Valley Cities Legislative Framework
Attachment C – Bill Summaries/Analysis
Town of Danville
Legislative Framework
Town Council Legislative Committee
ATTACHMENT A
2 February 2024
Overview
The Town of Danville is actively engaged in legislative advocacy efforts that are aimed at
protecting and promoting Danville’s best interests at the local, state and federal levels. These
efforts are driven by two primary considerations: 1) continuing to uphold the Town mission of
delivering superior municipal services that make people’s lives better; and 2) an increasing level
of state involvement and regulation in areas that have previously fallen within local control.
The significant increase in bills being introduced in the State Legislature that have the potential
to further impact cities’ local control has prompted the Town to continue to expand advocacy
efforts through various means and channels. Key to these efforts is the development of this
Legislative Framework which outlines the Town’s legislative principles, policies, goals and
strategies. The Framework will be monitored and driven by a Town Council Legislative
Committee.
Legislative Goals
• Advocate the Town’s legislative interests at the federal, state, regional, and county levels
to support our Town’s vision and mission.
• Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California Cities,
regional agencies, and local professional organizations in addressing legislative issues that
are important to the town and our region.
• Participate in the Tri-Valley Cities coalition to work together on legislative issues, projects
and initiatives at the federal, state, regional and county levels.
• Seek grant and funding assistance for Town projects, services, and programs.
• Communicate to the Town’s residents those legislative and agency rule-making matters
which are of potentially general interest or concern.
Legislative Principles
To fulfill the goals identified, the Town supports legislation and policies that favor:
1. Outstanding Quality of Life - provide opportunities to protect and enhance our
residents’ quality of life through active living, a healthy lifestyle and diverse recreational
services. 2. Community Safety - provide access to resources and services for residents, such as
quality police, fire, emergency management, mental health services, emergency medical
services, services for vulnerable populations and community benefit efforts.
3. Local Control over Land Use and Preservation - ensures the Town’s continued
ability and authority to exercise decisions on land use matters and reasonably regulate
new development to ensure consistency with Town design standards. The orderly
growth and development of the Town together with the preservation of open space is a
high priority for the Danville community.
3 February 2024
4. Foster Economic Vitality and Growth - provide funding for initiatives that
promote: economic health and resilience, business development, workforce
development, and small business entrepreneurship training and assistance. 5. Public Infrastructure - enable continued improvement and maintenance of the
Town’s public infrastructure. 6. Transportation - provide funding for planning and implementation of regional
transportation projects. 7. Housing - seek balanced solutions which consider housing, jobs, and transportation
together; does not take a one size fits all approach; provides funding and resources for
infrastructure and allows the Town to exercise local control in developing locally
appropriate plans that meet State objectives in a manner that is compatible with existing
community character. 8. Support Residents Growth and Enrichment - enhance and encourage
recreational programming, exercise, use of parks and services, community engagement,
social and recreational experiences; and performing and visual arts. 9. Sustainability - enable sustainable development, conserve natural resources, provide
resources to enable environmental awareness and health in our community and source
vendors that comply with California environmental requirements that protect public
health and air quality.
10. Fiscal Sustainability - protect existing federal, state, and local funding sources that
provide revenues to the Town of Danville. Oppose Unfunded Mandates and legislation
that seeks to impose any requirement upon the Town that is not fully funded; aid
recovery of Town costs stemming from State and/or Federal mandates.
Town Council Legislative Committee
• The Legislative Committee shall consist of two members of the Town Council to be
appointed annually by the Mayor, supported by appropriate Town staff.
• The committee shall meet as frequently as monthly to review and discuss the Town’s
legislative platform and pending/possible legislation.
• The committee shall develop positions on pending or possible legislation and make
recommendations for consideration by the Town Council. Recommendations will be
based upon a determination of potential legislative impacts upon the Town and its
residents. Potential positions to be considered include:
o Support: Legislation that the Town should support as drafted o Support if Amended: that the Town should support if the author accepts
amendments proposed or supported by the Town
o Oppose: Legislation that the Town should oppose as drafted o Oppose unless amended: Legislation the Town should oppose unless amended o Watch: Town will take no formal position but will watch the Legislation and
consider taking a position as the legislative process progresses
4 February 2024
• Once a determination has been made that a legislative proposal may impact the Town by
the Legislative Committee, a letter outlining the Town’s position will be drafted for the
Mayor’s or Town Manager’s signature.
• Legislative Proposals may sometimes advance or change rapidly. Should the need to
respond to such a proposal arise prior to an opportunity for either the Legislative
Committee or Town Council to meet to consider the matter, then the Town Manager is
authorized to act expeditiously to respond via letter, in a manner that is consistent with
the goals and principles contained in the Framework. All such letters shall be transmitted
to the Town Council, and posted on the Legislative page of the Town website.
• The Committee shall make regular reports to the Town Council at duly noticed public
meetings.
• The Committee shall work collaboratively with Tri-Valley Cities of Dublin, Livermore,
Pleasanton and San Ramon to further the Tri-Valley Legislative Framework.
Strategic Documents
The following documents are available on the Town’s website at www.danville.ca.gov
• Town Vision and Mission Statements
• Town of Danville General Plan 2030
• Town of Danville Adopted Budget and Capital Improvement Program
• Town of Danville Recreation, Arts & Community Services Master Plan
• Town of Danville Climate Action Plan
The Legislative Framework will be reviewed annually by the Town Council. Day to day
oversight of legislative matters is the responsibility of the Town Manager’s Office, consistent
with this Legislative Framework and policy set by the Town Council.
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TRI-VALLEY CITIES
Legislative Framework
2025-26
ATTACHMENT B
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TRI-VALLEY CITIES VALUES STATEMENT
The Tri-Valley Cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and the Town of Danville value regional leadership, innovation, collaboration, and problem solving to maintain and improve the quality of life for Tri-Valley residents, provide a vibrant climate for businesses, and enable continued opportunities for public and private investment within the
region.
Each City and Town provides a unique perspective on how to meet the needs of their
residents and businesses. The Cities and Town agree to respect the individuality of each
community and are committed to open and honest communication with a goal of building consensus and a united approach to advocacy for solutions that will serve the residents and businesses of the Tri-Valley. TRI-VALLEY CITIES LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
The Tri-Valley Cities Legislative Framework seeks to inform all levels of governmental
interaction (e.g., federal, state, regional, local) regarding legislation, policies, and programs that have a direct impact on the region. The TVC has defined Legislative Focus Areas which have an overarching objective to retain and promote local control and decision-making as it relates to the implementation of laws and regulations and to have the ability to
integrate them in a manner that meets the unique needs of each community. The TVC will
advocate together to achieve outcomes benefiting the region in each of these Focus Areas.
Transportation and Infrastructure Residents of the Tri-Valley region are subject to some of the heaviest commutes in the Bay
Area and are impacted by the heavy flow of traffic along the region’s freeways, which often
spills over onto the local surface streets as commuters pursue alternatives to their commute
through the Tri-Valley. A key objective of the region is to reduce congestion on the region’s freeways, and to increase mobility of goods and people through the Tri-Valley with continued financial investment in transportation infrastructure: developing alternative modes of transportation, modernization of transportation corridors, and creation, modernization,
and expansion of rail systems. The TVC also seeks to partner on other significant non-
transportation infrastructure projects, especially those with regional and multi-regional benefits.
Climate, Environment, and Health The TVC seeks to work collaboratively with federal, state, and regional partners to address the new landscape of year-round wildfires, air quality, public safety power shutoffs, water quality (including PFAS/PFOS contaminants) and supply issues, as well as waste and
recycling mandates. The TVC will advocate for increasing financial and technical support in these areas, as well as for investment in key infrastructure at all levels of government.
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Public Safety The TVC prides itself on providing the highest quality of life for its residents, businesses,workers, and visitors alike – a critical part of which is ensuring the basic right to safety,
without fear of harm to oneself or one’s property. As such, the coalition will advocate forreasonable public safety reforms, especially with regard to retail theft, burglary, assault,insurance availability, and emergency preparedness all while maintaining a lens of equity.
Economic Development
The Tri-Valley region is an innovation hub that spurs job growth, sustains a healthyeconomy, and provides a high quality of life for residents and business. Key objectives are
developing a healthy workforce; and supporting innovation, capacity building, economicstimulus, and growth in the region.
Affordable Housing and Homelessness The TVC supports balanced solutions which consider housing, jobs, and transportationtogether and seeks to support, promote, protect, and increase affordability in the region’shousing stock. Key objectives are to work with federal, state, and regional partners to
provide funding for affordable housing through a variety of programs and options and to
work to address barriers to building housing at Very Low, Low, and Moderate incomelevels. TVC also remains committed to mitigating and eliminating homelessness, includingworking with partners at all levels of government to address the root causes of housinginsecurity and homelessness.
Mental Health
The TVC recognizes that social services are vital to supporting residents and providing
crucial safety net services in our region. While the TVC cities do not provide direct deliveryof social services, the Cities seek to work together to support local non-profits andorganizations that do provide these services, and advocate together for these vitalresources and services from all levels of government. Mental health support is a growingneed in our region, and the TVC seeks to advocate for the resources to meet the needs of
all our residents.
Fiscal Sustainability and General Governance
Fiscal Sustainability is an important goal for all levels of government. The TVC seeks toadvocate against the imposition of unfunded mandates and the removal of funding streamsfrom local governments. It also seeks to advocate for ???? accessibility reforms, labor andemployee relationship items, regulatory engagement, intergovernmental connectivity andefficiency.
PAGE 1
2025-26
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 5, 2026
california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1421
Introduced by Assembly Member Wilson
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry)
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 3093 of add Section 3092.7 to the Vehicle
Code, relating to vehicles.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1421, as amended, Wilson. Vehicles: Road Usage Charge
Technical Advisory Committee.
Existing law requires the Chair of the California Transportation
Commission to create a Road Usage Charge Technical Advisory
Committee in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation to guide
the development and evaluation of a pilot program assessing the
potential for mileage-based revenue collection as an alternative to the
gas tax system. Existing law additionally requires the Transportation
Agency, in consultation with the commission, to implement the pilot
program, as specified. Existing law repeals these provisions on January
1, 2027.
This bill would extend the operation of the above-described provisions
until January 1, 2035. The bill would also make related findings and
declaration.
This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the
Transportation Agency, to consolidate and prepare research and
recommendations related to a road user charge or a mileage-based fee
system. The bill would require the commission to submit a report, as
specified, on the research and recommendations described above to
Revised 1-13-26—See last page.98
ATTACHMENT C
the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature by no
later than January 1, 2027. The bill would require the commission to
consult with appropriate state agencies and other stakeholders, as
specified, in preparing the research and recommendations and report
described above.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Section 3092.7 is added to the Vehicle Code, to
line 2 read:
line 3 3092.7. (a) The California Transportation Commission, in
line 4 consultation with the Transportation Agency, shall consolidate
line 5 and prepare research and recommendations related to a road user
line 6 charge or a mileage-based fee system. The research and
line 7 recommendations shall incorporate existing findings from state
line 8 and academic sources, including the report prepared by the
line 9 Transportation Agency pursuant to Section 3092.5.
line 10 (b) By no later than January 1, 2027, the commission shall
line 11 prepare and submit a report in compliance with Section 9795 of
line 12 the Government Code to the appropriate policy and fiscal
line 13 committees of the Legislature on the research and
line 14 recommendations described in subdivision (a). The report shall
line 15 cover all of the following topics:
line 16 (1) The current and future inequities related to low-income
line 17 drivers commuting farther in less efficient vehicles.
line 18 (2) The impact of a weight-per-mile fee for commercial and
line 19 electric vehicles on the motor vehicle industry.
line 20 (3) Regional and state solutions for implementing a road user
line 21 charge in California, including capturing out-of-state vehicles.
line 22 (c) In preparing the research and recommendations specified
line 23 in subdivision (a) and the report described in subdivision (b), the
line 24 commission shall consult with all of the following:
line 25 (1) Appropriate state agencies, which may include, but are not
line 26 limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of
line 27 Motor Vehicles, the California Department of Tax and Fee
line 28 Administration, and the Controller.
line 29 (2) Representatives of local governments.
line 30 (3) Regional transportation planning agencies.
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— 2 — AB 1421
line 1 (4) Privacy and data security experts.
line 2 (5) Equity and environmental justice organizations.
line 3 (6) Academic researchers.
line 4 (7) Transportation user groups.
line 5 (8) Organizations representing zero-emission vehicle owners
line 6 and manufacturers.
line 7 (9) Any other stakeholders the commission deems appropriate.
line 8 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
line 9 following:
line 10 (a) State funding for transportation comes mainly from six
line 11 different fuel taxes and vehicle fees dedicated to specific purposes.
line 12 These sources generated about $14,000,000,000 in the 2023–24
line 13 fiscal year.
line 14 (b) The gasoline excise tax is by far the largest of these charges.
line 15 The tax is 57.9 cents per gallon and generated about
line 16 $7,800,000,000 in fiscal year 2023–24.
line 17 (c) California relies on gasoline and diesel tax revenue to build
line 18 and maintain its highways, public transit, and other transportation
line 19 infrastructure, which is a problem in a state aggressively pushing
line 20 a transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
line 21 (d) Since the passage of Senate Bill 1 (Chapter 5, Statutes of
line 22 2017), gas taxes have begun to lag, in large part due to Californians
line 23 adopting lower emission vehicles. The state’s climate goals,
line 24 including the switch to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and
line 25 reductions in statewide per capita vehicle miles traveled for
line 26 light-duty vehicles, are projected to reduce fuel tax revenues in
line 27 the coming years.
line 28 (e) California’s gas revenues have steadily increased over the
line 29 last decade as lawmakers hike tax rates, but that curve is projected
line 30 to turn downwards as more drivers switch to EVs.
line 31 (f) Californians have purchased more than a million EVs in the
line 32 last four years, according to the California Energy Commission.
line 33 Those numbers will continue to increase as a result of the state’s
line 34 mandate for all new car sales to be ZEVs by 2035.
line 35 (g) The Legislative Analyst’s Office projects revenues will
line 36 decline by as much as $2,000,000,000 annually by 2030 and up
line 37 to $4,000,000,000 annually by 2035. A study by the Mineta
line 38 Transportation Institute estimated a reduction in revenues of
line 39 between $4,800,000,000 and $12,100,000,000 by 2040.
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AB 1421 — 3 —
line 1 (h) The California Transportation Commission projects that the
line 2 state will collect $31,300,000,000 less in fuel excise tax revenue
line 3 due to increased fuel efficiency and the proliferation of ZEVs over
line 4 the next decade.
line 5 (i) Collectively, various states and the federal government have
line 6 undertaken research and exploration of possible revenue
line 7 mechanisms to supplement or replace the fuel excise tax.
line 8 (j) In 2014, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1077 (Chapter
line 9 835, Statutes of 2014) which created the Road Usage Charge
line 10 Technical Advisory Committee (RUC TAC). The RUC TAC was
line 11 charged with the development and evaluation of an authorized
line 12 pilot program to assess the potential for a mileage-based financing
line 13 mechanism for California’s roads and highways as an alternative
line 14 to the fuel excise tax system.
line 15 (k) In 2017, California completed the SB 1077 pilot program,
line 16 which enrolled more than 5,000 vehicles that reported more than
line 17 37,000,000 miles over a nine-month period. Importantly, the
line 18 collection of revenue was simulated in the pilot program through
line 19 mock invoices and payments.
line 20 (l) The final pilot program report found further testing of the
line 21 revenue collection processes should be the next step to undertake
line 22 in order for California to evaluate revenue flows and identify
line 23 challenges, efficiencies, and synergies for possible road user charge
line 24 implementation.
line 25 (m) Presently, the state is analyzing the financial impacts of a
line 26 road user charge on supercommuters, as well as additional
line 27 engagement with rural communities and tribal nations to better
line 28 inform constituencies on a road charge concept.
line 29 (n) The benefit of a road use charge is that it could be structured
line 30 to provide gas tax relief to low-income drivers.
line 31 (o) Implementing a road use charge in a way that appeals to
line 32 both low- and moderate-income households and urban and rural
line 33 communities across the state’s diverse geography will require
line 34 significant education, negotiation, and compromise.
line 35 SEC. 2. Section 3093 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
line 36 3093. This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1,
line 37 2035, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
line 38 that is enacted before January 1, 2035, deletes or extends that date.
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— 4 — AB 1421
line 1
line 2 REVISIONS:
line 3 Heading—Line 2.
line 4
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AB 1421 — 5 —
california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1569
Introduced by Assembly Members Davies and Chen
January 12, 2026
An act to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 49397) to Chapter
8 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil safety.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1569, as introduced, Davies. Pupil safety: electric bicycle parking:
safety program.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of any school district
having jurisdiction over elementary, intermediate, junior high, or high
school to provide time and facilities to local law enforcement agency
having jurisdiction over the school of the district for bicycle, scooter,
electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized scooter safety
instruction. Existing law prohibits a person from driving or parking a
vehicle or animal upon the driveways, paths, parking facilities, or
grounds of specific public entities, including a public school or an
educational institution exempted, in whole or in part, from taxation,
except with the permission of, and subject to any condition or regulation
that may be imposed by, the governing body of the specified public
entity. Existing law authorizes a public agency to adopt rules or
regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions for, the use of bicycles,
motorized bicycles, electric bicycles, skateboards, electrically motorized
boards, and roller skates on public property under the jurisdiction of
that agency.
This bill would require each school that allows pupils in kindergarten
or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to park a class 1, 2, or 3 electric
99
bicycle, as defined, on campus during regular school hours to require
pupils to complete the electric bicycle safety and training program
developed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, as
provided, or a related safety course, as specified, as a condition for
parking on campus. The bill would also require a pupil to submit proof
of completion of the above-described course to their school before
parking their class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle on the school campus during
school hours. The bill would exempt schools that adopted a policy
related to electric bicycle safety, on or before January 1, 2027, from
the above-described requirements.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Article 9 (commencing with Section 49397) is
line 2 added to Chapter 9 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the
line 3 Education Code, to read:
line 4
line 5 Article 9. Electric Bicycle Safety
line 6
line 7 49397. (a) Commencing with the 2027–28 school year, a
line 8 school that allows pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12,
line 9 inclusive, to park a class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle on campus
line 10 during regular school hours shall require pupils to complete the
line 11 electric bicycle safety and training program developed by the
line 12 Department of the California Highway Patrol pursuant to Section
line 13 894 of the Streets and Highway Code, or a related safety course,
line 14 if one is available, as prescribed by the local law enforcement
line 15 authority having jurisdiction over the school, as a condition for
line 16 parking on campus.
line 17 (b) A pupil shall submit proof of completion from one of the
line 18 prescribed courses described in subdivision (a) to their school
line 19 before parking their class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle on the school
line 20 campus during regular school hours.
line 21 (c) A school that has adopted a policy related to electric bicycle
line 22 safety on or before January 1, 2027, shall be exempt from the
line 23 requirements of this section.
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— 2 — AB 1569
line 1 (d) For purposes of this section, “class 1 electric bicycle,” “class
line 2 2 electric bicycle,” and “class 3 electric bicycle” shall have the
line 3 same meanings as prescribed in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code.
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AB 1569 — 3 —
california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1942
Introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan
February 13, 2026
An act to add Article 8.2 (commencing with Section 5040) to Chapter
1 of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, relating to electric bicycles, and
making an appropriation therefor.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1942, as introduced, Bauer-Kahan. Electric bicycles: registration
and special license plates.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving, moving, or leaving
standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any
motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly,
unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid, except
as specified. Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles,
upon registering a vehicle, to issue to the owner license plates that
identify the vehicles for which they are issued for the period of their
validity, as specified. Existing law also requires a motorized bicycle to
display a special license plate issued by the department.
Existing law authorizes a city or county to adopt a bicycle licensing
ordinance or resolution, authorizes the licensing agency, by ordinance
or resolution, to adopt rules and regulations for the collection of license
fees, as specified, and sets the fee for each new bicycle license and
registration certificate at a sum of no more than $4 per year.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with
fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and
classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions.
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This bill would require class 2 electric bicycles and class 3 electric
bicycles to be registered with the department and to display a special
license plate issued by the department. The bill would require the
department to adopt regulations to implement these requirements, and
would make a person operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle in
violation of these requirements guilty of an infraction punishable by
specified fines. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
The bill would create the Electric Bicycle Registration Fund in the
State Treasury, require all moneys received by the department pursuant
to these provisions to be deposited in the fund, and require all moneys
in the fund to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to
the department for the administration of these provisions. The bill would
also appropriate an unspecified sum of moneys from the General Fund
to the Electric Bicycle Registration Fund as a loan for purposes of
administering these provisions, as specified.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: 2⁄3. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Article 8.2 (commencing with Section 5040) is
line 2 added to Chapter 1 of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, to read:
line 3
line 4 Article 8.2. Electric Bicycles
line 5
line 6 5040. (a) A class 2 electric bicycle and a class 3 electric bicycle
line 7 shall be registered with the department and shall display a special
line 8 license plate issued by the department.
line 9 (b) The special license plate shall be affixed to the rear of the
line 10 electric bicycle and shall be clearly visible and legible at all times.
line 11 5040.5. The department shall adopt regulations to implement
line 12 this article, including, but not limited to, regulations on all of the
line 13 following:
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line 1 (a) Application and issuance of registration and special license
line 2 plates.
line 3 (b) Plate size, placement, and visibility requirements.
line 4 (c) Registration fees in an amount not to exceed the reasonable
line 5 regulatory cost of issuing or renewing the registration.
line 6 (d) Proof of ownership requirements, including the provision
line 7 of a serial number for the registered electric bicycle.
line 8 5040.7. A person operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle
line 9 in violation of this article is guilty of an infraction punishable by
line 10 a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense,
line 11 two hundred dollars ($200) for a second offense, and two hundred
line 12 fifty dollars ($250) for each subsequent offense.
line 13 5040.9. (a) The Electric Bicycle Registration Fund is hereby
line 14 created in the State Treasury. All moneys received by the
line 15 department pursuant to this article shall be deposited in the fund.
line 16 Except as provided in subdivision (b), all moneys in the fund shall
line 17 be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the
line 18 department for the administration of this article.
line 19 (b) (1) The sum of ____ dollars (S____) is hereby appropriated
line 20 from the General Fund to the Electric Bicycle Registration Fund
line 21 as a loan that shall be available for encumbrance and expenditure
line 22 until ____ for purposes of administering this article.
line 23 (2) The loan amount shall be repaid by the department to the
line 24 General Fund together with interest in the amount that those
line 25 moneys would have earned in the Pooled Money Investment
line 26 Account.
line 27 (3) Moneys received by the department pursuant to this article
line 28 shall be used to repay the loan until the loan is fully repaid.
line 29 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
line 30 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
line 31 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
line 32 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
line 33 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
line 34 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
line 35 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
line 36 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California
line 37 Constitution.
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AB 1942 — 3 —
california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1557
Introduced by Assembly Member Papan
January 8, 2026
An act to amend Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1557, as introduced, Papan. Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with
fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750
watts of power. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime.
This bill would clarify that an electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped
with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that is not capable of
exceeding 750 watts of peak power.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended
line 2 to read:
line 3 312.5. (a) An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with
line 4 fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed
line 5 is not capable of exceeding 750 watts of peak power.
line 6 (1) A “class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed pedal-assisted
line 7 electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides
line 8 assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of
line 9 exclusively propelling the bicycle, except as provided in paragraph
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line 1 (4), that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the
line 2 speed of 20 miles per hour, and that is not capable of providing
line 3 assistance to reach speeds greater than 20 miles per hour.
line 4 (2) A “class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed throttle-assisted
line 5 electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be
line 6 used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of
line 7 providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20
line 8 miles per hour.
line 9 (3) A “class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed pedal-assisted electric
line 10 bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides
line 11 assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of
line 12 exclusively propelling the bicycle, except as provided in paragraph
line 13 (4), and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches
line 14 the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.
line 15 (4) A class 1 or class 3 electric bicycle may have start assistance
line 16 or a walk mode that propels the electric bicycle on motor power
line 17 alone, up to a maximum speed of 3.7 miles per hour.
line 18 (b) A person riding an electric bicycle, as defined in this section,
line 19 is subject to Article 4 (commencing with Section 21200) of Chapter
line 20 1 of Division 11.
line 21 (c) On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors
line 22 of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed,
line 23 in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall
line 24 contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor
line 25 wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font
line 26 in at least 9-point type.
line 27 (d) The following vehicles are not electric bicycles under this
line 28 code and shall not be advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled
line 29 as electric bicycles:
line 30 (1) A vehicle with two or three wheels powered by an electric
line 31 motor that is intended by the manufacturer to be modifiable to
line 32 attain a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on motor power alone
line 33 or to attain more than 750 watts of power.
line 34 (2) A vehicle that is modified to attain a speed greater than 20
line 35 miles per hour on motor power alone or to have motor power of
line 36 more than 750 watts.
line 37 (3) A vehicle that is modified to have its operable pedals
line 38 removed.
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california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1614
Introduced by Assembly Member Dixon
January 21, 2026
An act to amend Section 21204 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1614, as introduced, Dixon. Vehicles: bicycles.
Existing law, the California Bicycle Transportation Act, establishes
4 classifications of facilities, referred to as bikeways, that provide
primarily for, and promote, bicycle travel. Existing law requires a person
operating a bicycle, which includes an electric bicycle, upon a highway
to ride the bicycle upon or astride a permanent and regular seat unless
the bicycle was designed by the manufacturer to be ridden without a
seat. Existing law requires a person riding as a passenger on a bicycle
upon a highway to be upon or astride a seat attached to the bicycle, as
specified. A violation of these provisions in punishable as an infraction.
This bill would make those provisions applicable to the operation of
a bicycle upon a Class I bikeway. By expanding an existing infraction,
this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
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The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Section 21204 of the Vehicle Code is amended
line 2 to read:
line 3 21204. (a) A person operating a bicycle upon a highway or
line 4 a Class I bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and
line 5 Highways Code, shall not ride other than upon or astride a
line 6 permanent and regular seat attached thereto, unless the bicycle
line 7 was designed by the manufacturer to be ridden without a seat.
line 8 (b) An operator shall not allow a person riding as a passenger,
line 9 and a person shall not ride as a passenger, on a bicycle upon a
line 10 highway or a Class I bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the
line 11 Streets and Highways Code, other than upon or astride a separate
line 12 seat attached thereto. If the passenger is four years of age or
line 13 younger, or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall have adequate
line 14 provision for retaining the passenger in place and for protecting
line 15 the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.
line 16 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
line 17 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
line 18 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
line 19 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
line 20 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
line 21 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
line 22 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
line 23 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
line 24 Constitution.
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california legislature—2025–26 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1708
Introduced by Assembly Member Solache
February 4, 2026
An act to add Section 50246 to the Health and Safety Code, relating
to housing.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1708, as introduced, Solache. Homeless Housing, Assistance,
and Prevention program: round 7.
Existing law establishes the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and
Prevention (HHAP) program for the purpose of providing jurisdictions
with grant funds to support regional coordination and expand or develop
local capacity to address their immediate homelessness challenges, as
specified. Existing law provides for the allocation of funding under the
program among continuums of care, cities, counties, and tribes in 6
rounds, with rounds 1 to 5, inclusive, administered by the Interagency
Council on Homelessness and round 6 administered by the Department
of Housing and Community Development, as provided. Existing law
establishes round 7 of the program and states the intent of the Legislature
to enact future legislation that specifies the parameters, as specified.
Existing law, effective July 1, 2026, appropriates $500,000,000, as
specified, provided that these funds be disbursed in accordance with
specified requirements, including that funds from this appropriation be
disbursed to a city, county, tribe, or continuum of care for round 7 of
the program after a declaration by the director of the department, in
consultation with the Director of Finance, that the department has
substantially completed its initial disbursement of round 6 funds to the
city, county, tribe, or continuum of care and that the city, county, tribe,
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or continuum of care has obligated at least 50% of its total round 6
award. Existing law requires the department, during the 2025–26 fiscal
year, to prepare to administer round 7 of the program with the goal that
initial round 7 disbursements will be available to grantees meeting the
statutory provisions for disbursement beginning September 1, 2026, as
specified.
This bill would require a continuum of care receiving funding pursuant
to round 7, as described above, to allocate funds to a smaller jurisdiction,
defined as a city with a population under 300,000. The bill would require
a smaller jurisdiction, in order to be eligible for funding, to, among
other things, adopt a resolution, as specified, have a compliant housing
element, and have adopted a local encampment policy, as described.
The bill would require a continuum of care to accept applications for
funding in accordance with specified procedures.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Section 50246 is added to the Health and Safety
line 2 Code, to read:
line 3 50246. (a) A continuum of care receiving funding pursuant to
line 4 paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 50245 shall allocate
line 5 funds to smaller jurisdictions pursuant to this section.
line 6 (b) In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
line 7 section, the smaller jurisdiction shall comply with each of the
line 8 following:
line 9 (1) (A) Adopt a resolution that does both of the following:
line 10 (i) Commits to participating in, and complying with, the
line 11 regionally coordinated homelessness action plan.
line 12 (ii) Directs the mayor to sign the memorandum of understanding
line 13 that reflects the regionally coordinated homelessness action plan.
line 14 (B) (i) Prior to adopting the resolution described in this
line 15 paragraph, the smaller jurisdiction shall hold a public hearing to
line 16 consider the regionally coordinated homelessness action plan.
line 17 (ii) At least 30 days prior to the public hearing, the smaller
line 18 jurisdiction shall post on its internet website the proposed,
line 19 approved, and amended regionally coordinated homelessness action
line 20 plan.
line 21 (2) Have a compliant housing element.
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line 1 (3) Have adopted a local encampment policy consistent with
line 2 administration guidance.
line 3 (4) Demonstrate how its past actions, programs, and
line 4 appropriation of funds have served the objectives and goals of the
line 5 adopted regionally coordinated homelessness action plan and the
line 6 intent of the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention
line 7 program to prevent and expeditiously reduce unsheltered
line 8 homelessness through homelessness prevention activities.
line 9 (c) A continuum of care shall accept applications for funding
line 10 in accordance with the following procedure:
line 11 (1) During an initial period of 30 days, for round 7 funding, a
line 12 continuum of care shall accept only applications from smaller
line 13 jurisdictions determined to be eligible pursuant to subdivision (b).
line 14 (2) (A) The continuum of care shall evaluate the applications
line 15 submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and award funds in compliance
line 16 with all round 7 rules and regulations.
line 17 (B) The continuum of care shall prioritize applications in which
line 18 a smaller jurisdiction agrees to utilize round 7 funding in
line 19 partnership with a nonprofit, another smaller jurisdiction, or other
line 20 private organization eligible for round 7 funding.
line 21 (3) If funding remains after the awards made pursuant to
line 22 paragraph (2), the continuum of care shall accept and evaluate
line 23 applications from other eligible applicants.
line 24 (d) For purposes of this section, “smaller jurisdiction” means a
line 25 city with a population under 300,000.
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AB 1708 — 3 —
SENATE BILL No. 922
Introduced by Senator Laird
January 28, 2026
An act to amend Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
legislative counsel’s digest
SB 922, as introduced, Laird. Vehicles: local agency charges: use
of streets or highways.
Existing law prohibits a local agency from imposing a tax, permit
fee, or other charge for the privilege of using its streets or highways,
other than a permit fee for an extralegal load unless the local agency
had imposed the fee prior to June 1, 1989.
This bill would expressly limit this prohibition to charges based on
weight. The bill would also explicitly state that a fee, charge, or
surcharge imposed by or for a local agency to recover the cost of street
maintenance and repair and other costs associated with the use of its
streets, roads, or highways to provide public services or public works
is not a tax, permit fee, or other charge that is prohibited by the provision
above. The bill would provide that nothing in the Vehicle Code prohibits
a local agency from imposing or collecting this fee, charge, or surcharge.
The bill would delete obsolete references and make other technical
changes.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares
line 2 all of the following:
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line 1 (1) Weight fees are collected on commercial vehicles by the
line 2 State of California, deposited into the State Highway Account,
line 3 and used for the purposes specified in Section 9400.4 of the Vehicle
line 4 Code. Weight fees for vehicles operated under 10,001 pounds
line 5 gross vehicle weight (GVW) and for pickups are determined by
line 6 the number of axles and unladen weight. Weight fees for vehicles
line 7 operated over 10,001 pounds GVW are determined by the declared
line 8 GVW or combined GVW.
line 9 (2) In June 1990, the California electorate adopted Proposition
line 10 111, which increased weight fees on commercial vehicles by 40
line 11 percent on August 1, 1990, and by an additional 10 percent on
line 12 January 1, 1995. Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code, which is
line 13 amended by this act, provides that if the voters approved Senate
line 14 Constitutional Amendment 1, then no local agency may impose a
line 15 tax, permit fee, or other charge for the privilege of using its streets
line 16 or highways other than a permit fee for extra legal loads.
line 17 (3) Local governments have broad authority to provide public
line 18 services and operate public works, such as water, power, heat,
line 19 transportation, means of communication, and refuse collection,
line 20 and to impose and collect rates, fees, and other charges that defray
line 21 the cost of providing those services and works, under existing
line 22 laws, including, without limitation, Sections 7 and 9 of Article XI
line 23 of the California Constitution.
line 24 (b) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to respect the existing
line 25 authority of local governments to impose rates, fees, and other
line 26 charges for public services and public works pursuant to the
line 27 aforementioned laws, which includes recovery of street repair and
line 28 other costs associated with the use of public roads to provide those
line 29 services and works.
line 30 (2) It is the further intent of the Legislature to state clearly that
line 31 a local government’s charge imposed to recover the cost of street
line 32 maintenance and repair or other costs associated with the use of
line 33 public roads to provide public services or public works is not a
line 34 charge for the privilege of using its streets within the meaning of
line 35 Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code and to reject the interpretation
line 36 given to the law in Rogers v. City of Redlands (2025) 112
line 37 Cal.App.5th 667.
line 38 SEC. 2. Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code is amended to
line 39 read:
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line 1 9400.8. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if
line 2 the voters approve Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 of the
line 3 1989–90 Regular Session, no law, a local agency may shall not
line 4 impose a tax, permit fee, or other charge based on weight for the
line 5 privilege of using its streets or highways, other than a permit fee
line 6 for extra legal loads, after December 31, 1990, extralegal loads
line 7 unless the local agency had imposed the fee prior to June 1, 1989.
line 8 (b) (1) A fee, charge, or surcharge imposed by or for a local
line 9 agency to recover the cost of street maintenance and repair and
line 10 other costs associated with the use of its streets, roads, or highways
line 11 to provide public services or public works is not a tax, permit fee,
line 12 or other charge for the privilege of using streets or highways that
line 13 is prohibited under subdivision (a).
line 14 (2) Nothing in this code prohibits a local agency from imposing
line 15 or collecting a fee, charge, or surcharge described in paragraph
line 16 (1).
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SB 922 — 3 —