BILL NUMBER: AB 2147INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez FEBRUARY 18, 2010 An act to amend Section 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2147, as introduced, V. Manuel Perez. Safe Routes to School Construction Program. 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" construction program pursuant to authority granted under specified federal law and to use federal transportation funds for construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects. Existing law requires the department to make grants available to local agencies under the program through a competitive grant process that considers various factors in rating the proposals. This bill would additionally require, in rating a proposal, the consideration of the proposal's benefit to a disadvantaged community, as defined. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. 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) Consultation and support for projects by school-based associations, local traffic engineers, local elected officials, law enforcement agencies, school officials, and other relevant community stakeholders. (7) Benefit to a disadvantaged community, as defined in Section 79505.5 of the Water Code. (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 compliments 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.