California Assembly Bill AB40 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 40AMENDED 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.