Bill > AB830

This bill amends existing state highway law to create a specific exemption for small public utility districts in Mendocino County regarding encroachment permit requirements. Currently, when a state highway improvement requires relocating or removing an encroachment (such as utility infrastructure), the permittee typically bears the entire expense of moving their infrastructure. Under this bill, a public utility district in Mendocino County with 5,000 or fewer households will now have the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) cover the full cost of relocating or removing their encroachments when highway improvements necessitate such changes. Additionally, Caltrans must notify the public utility district at each stage of the project that requires infrastructure relocation. The bill includes a legislative finding that explains this special provision is necessary due to Mendocino County's unique geographical and rural characteristics, which create significant challenges for local governmental entities when utilities must be moved for transportation projects. By targeting only small public utility districts in this specific county, the bill provides financial relief and additional communication protections for a narrowly defined group of utility providers.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB830