Olsen Bill to Streamline Minor Roadway Safety Improvements for Cities and Counties Passes First Committee

 SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed Assembly Bill 890 by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, on a 6-0 vote following remarks by Vice Chair Steve Knight that he had not seen this much bipartisan cooperation and support in the last three years by the committee.  AB 890 will streamline the process for cities and counties to make minor roadway improvements related to public safety.  “I’m grateful that committee members were able to work across the aisle in order to balance environmental concerns with government’s most basic duty of protecting lives,” said Olsen. “It is time for the Legislature to return more control to local governments in decisions that protect their citizens’ safety.” 

In recent years, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has held up many public works projects.  AB 890 would create a statutory exemption from CEQA for roadway improvements within existing road right-of-way. This measure applies to projects like guardrails, minor drainage improvements, traffic signal modifications, and minor realignments. “Cities and counties need to be able to quickly perform some public works projects, but CEQA requirements have hindered them from performing this basic duty,” said Olsen. “It is important to understand the environmental impacts of a public works project, but to hold up a minor roadway project that improves public safety is illogical.” Olsen introduced AB 890 at the request of Tuolumne County. AB 890 is joint-authored by Assemblymember Henry Perea, D-Fresno, and co-authored by Senator Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto.  AB 890 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.