Transportation Commission backs SB 16 to create five‑year road maintenance program

The California Transportation Commission on May 28 adopted a formal position of support for Senate Bill 16 (SB 16), a bill that would create a Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program to address deferred maintenance on both the state highway system and local streets and roads.

The bill, introduced by Senator Vowell, would authorize the RMRP every five years and require the commission to identify estimated funds available for each five‑year authorization and to adopt performance criteria to ensure efficient use of the funds. SB 16 would create continuous appropriation of funds to an account for road maintenance and rehabilitation for each five‑year period in which the legislature authorizes the program. Under the bill staff described to the commission, 5% of available funds would go to counties that approve a transactions‑and‑use tax after July 1, 2015, and the remaining funds would be split between the state highway maintenance program and cities and counties under a specified formula.

Why it matters: SB 16 shifts how state revenues are allocated and would require new annual work by the commission to review, adopt or decline the program based on consistency with the asset management plan. The bill also directs Caltrans to present by April 1, 2016, a plan to increase departmental efficiency and requires supplemental project allocation procedures when project costs exceed allocations.

Commission staff described the proposed revenue package for SB 16 as a mix of an increase in the diesel fuel excise and other vehicle‑related charges. Carrie, a commission policy staff member, told commissioners the bill also transfers revenues from 2 cents of a 12‑cent increase in the diesel excise tax to the Trade Corridors Improvement Fund to preserve capital projects. "Staff recommends the commission adopt position support on SB 16," Carrie said.

Commissioners pressed staff on funding and staffing implications. Carrie and other staff noted the commission will face additional statutory duties and estimated a fiscal impact to commission operations of approximately $565,000; staff said the department will request additional resources in the next budget cycle to carry out any new workload assigned by legislation.

The commission voted to support SB 16; the motion passed with no recorded opposition. Staff was directed to prepare and transmit the commission's support letter to the bill author and legislative committees.

Details and constraints: The commission may decline to adopt the RMRP if it finds a proposed program inconsistent with the commission’s asset management plan. SB 16 would require the commission, beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2017, to allocate all capital and support costs for each project in the program and to set guidelines for supplemental project allocations and exceptions so projects are not unnecessarily delayed.

The commission recorded the action as a formal position of support and included the staff cost estimate in the meeting materials; staff said the cost breakdown is explained in attached documents provided to commissioners.