The State of Safe Streets: SAFE’s 2023-2024 Legislative Recap
The 2023-2024 California legislative session has drawn to a close, and we’re excited to provide some updates on the 15 essential transportation bills on which SAFE has focused our efforts — including Senate Bill 961, the bill requiring speed governors in CA cars by 2030, which passed the State Assembly and is on Governor Newsom’s desk.
In addition to SB 961, SAFE has actively supported, opposed, and co-sponsored several key bills. At the beginning of the 2023-24 legislative session, SAFE kept its eyes on nearly 100 pieces of legislation. As the year rolled on, we narrowed our focus to 15 critical bills that could shape the future of California transportation — for good or for ill.
Some of these bills are now less than two weeks away from either Governor Newsom's signature or veto. Though we try not to play favorites, SBs 1509, 961, and 1297 are perhaps nearest and dearest to our hearts because we’ve not only supported them but poured our hearts and souls into them, providing media and coalition backing.
Here’s the status of each of the 15 bills and where they stand before the governor’s September 30 deadline.
Active Bills SAFE Supports
SB 960
Introduced by Senator Wiener and co-authored by several other legislators, SB 960 aims to incorporate “complete streets” elements such as bikeways, sidewalks, crosswalks, and transit into Caltrans projects either funded by the State High Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) or as part of a Caltrans Transit Asset Management Plan (TAMP). The bill is awaiting approval by the governor, and if signed, it will create a more inclusive and safe state highway system for all road users.
SB 961 – Co-Sponsored by SAFE
One of SAFE’s co-sponsored bills, SB 961 mandates that all 2030 model year passenger vehicles, motor trucks, and buses manufactured and sold (or leased as new) will be equipped with a passive intelligent speed assistance system. This system would provide a brief, one-time visual and audio signal to alert a driver each time the speed of the vehicle is more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. The bill, which was introduced by Senator Wiener, is awaiting approval by the Governor. Help us by writing to Governor Newsom and asking him to sign the bill.
SB 1509 – Co-Sponsored by SAFE
Co-sponsored by SAFE and introduced by Senator Stern, this bill would increase accountability for speeding drivers. Motorists driving at least 26 mph over the speed limit on roads with a posted speed of 55 mph or less would receive one “negligent operator violation” for their first infraction and two points for each subsequent violation in a three-year period. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor.
AB 2984
AB 2984, which was introduced by Assemblymember Gipson, would raise the statute of limitations for hit-and-runs up to three years if the offender is out of state, giving victims hope for justice and retribution in the event the offender flees the state. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor.
SB 1216
Similar to AB 2290 (a bill that died this year and is explained in the section below), this bill, introduced by Senator Blakespear, also prohibits the California Transportation Commission from adding a project that creates a Class III bikeway or a sharrow to the program of projects except as specified. The bill, which aims to create safer road conditions for cyclists and other road users, is awaiting approval by the Governor.
SB 1271
This bill would mandate that the state Fire Marshal adopt regulations that promote the fire and electrical safety of electric bicycles and storage batteries. The bill would also prohibit a person from distributing, selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease an electric bicycle or battery unless the battery has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory in compliance with specified standards. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor, and if signed will make electric bicycles safer for both riders and other road users.
SB 1297 – Key SAFE Bill
An expansion of AB 645 introduced by Senator Allen, SB 1297 would authorize the City of Malibu to establish a speed enforcement program that would use up to five speed-safety systems on the Pacific Coast Highway to deter speeding on one of the deadliest highways in the country. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor.
AB 1774
Introduced by Assemblymember Dixon, AB 1774 would prohibit a person from selling a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle. The bill has been signed by the Governor and represents major progress in making electrical bicycling on California roads as safe as possible.
Bills SAFE Opposed
AB 3102
AB 3102 would allow motorcyclists aged 21 or over to receive a certificate of satisfactory completion after only passing the skills testing portion of the training program. SAFE opposed this bill because passing AB 3102, which was introduced by Assemblymember Hoover, would enable motorcyclists to avoid certain parts of the exam, which would put themselves and other California road users at significantly greater risk of injury or death. The bill died and will not be sent to the governor.
AB 2186
Authored by Assemblymember Wallis, AB 2186 aims to extend the ability to arrest individuals involved in speed contests, reckless driving or exhibitions of speed on highways to also include off-street parking facilities. While SAFE supports the intent to curb speed contests and dangerous driving behavior, we opposed the bill unless amended because expanding the provisions to off-street facilities would eliminate legal avenues for street racing in controlled environments. SAFE believes that allowing such activities in sequestered off-street facilities, like parking lots, is a safer alternative to street racing on public roads. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor.
AB 1978
Similar to AB 2186, this bill, introduced by Assembly Member Sanchez, would prevent the impounding of vehicles and arrest of individuals participating in speed contests, reckless driving or exhibitions of speed in parking lots where the legal owner has given permission and a permit has been obtained. SAFE opposes this measure because we advocate for legal, safe avenues for speed contests in order to deter racing on public roads, which would be a greater danger to other road users. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor.
SAFE-Supported Bills That Died
AB 2290
Authored by Assemblymember Friedman, this bill seeks to prohibit the creation of Class III bikeways — which could be a set of sharrows, signage, or a wide shoulder — alongside streets that may have heavy or fast-moving traffic. This measure addresses safety concerns for cyclists on such roads. The bill is dead.
AB 2583
Authored by Assemblymember Berman, allows the establishment of a default speed limit of 25 miles per hour or 20 miles per hour in school zones, which would improve safety for young children, who experience the highest rate of traffic violence. The bill is dead.
AB 2086
Authored by Assemblymember Schiavo, this bill would have mandated greater transparency from the Department of Transportation by enhancing the existing public online dashboard to display how annual project investments from specified transportation funding programs are advancing the vision and goals of the California Transportation Plan. The bill is dead.
All that we have accomplished this legislative session is a testament to the hard work and dedication of you, our volunteers and our supporters. Thank you for your continued support of our fight to make California’s streets safe for everyone!