State must consider taxpayer costs in highway regulations

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – A law taking effect next year will require state agencies to consider the cost to taxpayers when local officials want to pass transportation regulations.

Assembly Bill 1145, authored by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio, and Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Rancho Mirage, requires the California Department of Transportation to review traffic ordinances proposed by local governments to consider cost implications. State officials will be required to look at the cost of alternative traffic and transportation options that local governments are considering. Under the new law, they must compare them to the costs of implementing proposed regulations from city and county officials.

The law is meant to give communities meaningful responses on decisions that have an impact on the safety of roads and highways and ensure accountability in how public safety solutions are implemented on those roads, according to the bill analysis.

Gonzalez introduced AB 1145 earlier this year to address community concerns after Riverside County resident Tristan Bourgeois, 27, was killed in a traffic accident on State Route 74 in 2024, according to the bill analysis. Bourgeois was driving on the highway after a large dump truck pulling a trailer lost control and crashed into Bourgeois’ car. Riverside County officials responded with a study of possible truck restrictions on the highway where Bourgeois was killed. State agencies are reviewing that study now, the bill analysis shows.

“I want to recognize Tristin’s family and the residents of our mountain communities,” Gonzalez said in an email to The Center Square. “They turned their pain and concerns into action, made their voices heard, and never stopped fighting for change. This is an important step toward greater transparency and accountability, but it is just one step in our continued efforts to make our roads safer and protect the communities we serve.”

Gonzalez was not available for an interview on Monday. Wallis did not respond to The Center Square's request for comment.

According to the bill analysis, many routes across the state like SR 74 face serious safety challenges, which include substandard road conditions, increased demands from traffic and accidents involving commercial trucks.

Riverside County officials registered their support for the legislation, saying that the newly-signed law facilitates connected communities while also keeping them safe.

“Our primary objective includes making Highway 74, a vital transportation corridor for businesses, commuters, and tourists, safer given that frequent accidents and hazardous road conditions have negatively impacted travel efficiency and economic activity in the region,” the county said in their statement of support. “AB 1145 is an important piece of legislation that will address road safety concerns that have plagued this region for years."

Riverside County officials did not respond to The Center Square before publication time on Monday. There was no opposition to the bill, according to the latest version of the analysis of the bill, which the Legislature passed in August. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it in late September.

Groups that work on transportation and traffic issues in California, including Transportation California and the California Transit Association, did not respond to The Center Square on Monday. Democratic legislators were unavailable to speak to The Center Square before publication time.