Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways and associated property.

Existing law defines “official traffic control device” as any sign, signal, marking, or device placed by authority of a public body having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic, with certain exceptions. Existing law requires the Department of Transportation, after consultation with local agencies and public hearings, to adopt rules and regulations prescribing uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices placed pursuant to the Vehicle Code. Existing law authorizes a local agency to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution to regulate traffic by means of official traffic control devices, but generally limited to a highway that is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the local agency, unless the Department of Transportation gives written approval to the application of the ordinance or resolution to a state highway.

This bill would, until January 1, 2022, establish a pilot project in Kern County that would require the Department of Transportation to obtain the approval of the Kern Council of Governments prior to installing an official traffic control device or a roundabout on a state highway within Kern County, as specified. The requirements of the bill would not apply to freeways. By requiring local agencies to approve proposed actions of the Department of Transportation, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.