10/2/08-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that sought to allow local transportation agencies to build toll lanes.
The governor gave no specific explanation for his decision other than to say that he was only signing bills of the “highest priority” to beat the Sept. 30 deadline.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, AB3021 prohibited the conversion of existing free, non-tolled general purpose lanes or highways into tolled lanes or highways. An exception would have been made for converting high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes, into high-occupancy toll lanes, or HOT lanes.
The “public-public partnership” measure called for the creation of the California Transportation Financing Authority. The seven-member board would have assisted transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
Legislative approval no longer would have been needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would have been given authority to charge tolls. The measure sought to mandate that tolled highways must have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill would have allowed for congestion pricing. Toll rates could have been changed depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. The bill also called for allowing personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.

9/2/08-The Legislature has wrapped up their regular session, but not before approving a bill that would allow local transportation agencies to build toll lanes.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, AB3021 would prohibit the conversion of existing free, non-tolled general purpose lanes or highways into tolled lanes or highways. An exception would be made for converting high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes, into high-occupancy toll lanes, or HOT lanes.
The “public-public partnership” measure would call for the creation of the California Transportation Financing Authority. The seven-member board would assist transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
Legislative approval no longer would be needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would be given authority to charge tolls. The measure would mandate that tolled highways must have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill would allow for congestion pricing. It would allow for toll rates to change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. The bill also calls for allowing personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

8/20/08-The Senate voted to send a bill back to the Assembly for final approval that would allow local transportation agencies to build toll lanes. The vote action came less than a week after senators rejected the bill because of concerns about adding tolls to existing roadways.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, the amended version of AB3021 would prohibit the conversion of existing free, non-tolled general purpose lanes or highways into tolled lanes or highways. An exception would be made for converting high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes, into high-occupancy toll lanes, or HOT lanes.
The “public-public partnership” measure would call for the creation of the California Transportation Financing Authority. The seven-member board would assist transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
Legislative approval no longer would be needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would be given authority to charge tolls. The measure would mandate that tolled highways must have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill would allow for congestion pricing. It would allow for toll rates to change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. The bill also calls for allowing personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

8/14/08-The Senate voted 24-11 to kill a bill that would have allowed local transportation agencies to build toll lanes. The Assembly previously approved it on a 47-31 vote.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, AB3021 called for the creation of the California Transportation Financing Authority to assist transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily through issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
Legislative approval no longer would have been needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would have been given authority to charge tolls.
It mandated that highways that are tolled have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill sought to allow for congestion pricing. It would have allowed for toll rates to change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
The bill also would have allowed personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.

8/12/08-A bill awaiting final consideration on the Senate floor would create the California Transportation Financing Authority.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, AB3021 calls for the seven-member board to assist transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily through issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
AB3021 is awaiting final consideration on the Senate floor. If approved there, it would move back to the Assembly for approval of changes before it could advance to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
Legislative approval no longer would be needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would be given authority to charge tolls.
Highways that are tolled must have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill would allow for congestion pricing. It would allow for toll rates to change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
The bill also would allow personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.
If the bill emerges from the Senate, it would head back to the Assembly to consider changes before advancing to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

7/28/08-A bill in the Senate Appropriations Committee would create the California Transportation Financing Authority. The Assembly already approved it.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, AB3021 calls for the seven-member board to assist transportation agencies in obtaining financing – primarily through issuing bonds – to use tolls to pay for road work.
Legislative approval no longer would be needed on a road-by-road basis. Local agencies would be given authority to charge tolls.
Highways that are tolled must have the option of toll-free lanes for use in the same corridor.
Another provision in the bill would allow for congestion pricing. It would allow for toll rates to change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
The bill also would allow personal vehicles with one occupant to access carpool lanes for a fee.
If the bill emerges from the Senate, it would head back to the Assembly to consider changes before advancing to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.