Committee advances bill letting Caltrans process roadside advertising permits as projects open

Sen. Strickland, the author of SB 364, told the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization that the bill would allow the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to accept applications for outdoor advertising displays as segments of highway projects are completed, rather than waiting until an entire project is fully accepted.

"The goal of 3 64 is to speed up the process of granting permits for outdoor advertising signs and to spread out the workload for the Department of Transportation by clarifying that they can accept and act upon applications for roadside signage as segments of the project are...finished as evidenced by the public being allowed to access to use, a new segment," Strickland said, accepting committee amendments.

Supporters said the current practice creates backlogs that delay local revenue generation. Margaret Lee, identified in testimony as the city manager of Fountain Valley, said her city approved two billboards along the 405 Freeway that are expected to generate "at least $1,200,000 each year," but the city cannot even submit applications because Caltrans will not accept them until the freeway is officially accepted.

"The freeway expansion is complete and fully functional. There's no ongoing construction and the property ain't within the freeways right away," Lee said, urging the committee to allow Caltrans to consider applications sooner.

Ron Beals, general counsel for the California State Outdoor Advertising Association, described the measure as "technical amendments to the billboard act," said he had been Caltrans chief counsel in a previous role and urged the committee's support.

Assembly members discussed coauthorship and committee procedure during the hearing. The committee voted to pass SB 364 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations; the chair reported the motion had 13 supporting votes at the time of the initial roll call and the roll was left open for additional members to add on.

The bill also adds a short paragraph clarifying what work counts as customary maintenance and therefore should not require a new permit, according to the author. The measure was described as aligning regulatory action with construction realities while maintaining safety and land-use considerations.

No witnesses opposed the bill at the committee hearing.

Votes at the hearing were procedural: the committee moved SB 364, and the chair recorded that the motion passed as amended to appropriations with at least 13 votes at the time the chair announced the result; the roll was left open for additional votes.