Department of Transportation: transferred property: City of Lynwood.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by José Solache

AB 1168 directs Caltrans to lift a 15-year public-use deed restriction on Lynwood's Imperial Highway property (APN 6169-001-900), enabling broader city use or development.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

#cityoflynwood #departmentoftransportation #transferredproperty

Main purpose

AB 1168 has two discrete components:
1. A special-purpose provision directing the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to remove a deed restriction on a specific parcel transferred to the City of Lynwood (the “Imperial Highway property”).
2. Technical, nonsubstantive revisions to Vehicle Code section 23109 (prohibitions and penalties for motor vehicle speed contests and exhibitions of speed).

Key provisions

1) Streets and Highways Code — Imperial Highway property (new §118.10)

Defines the “Imperial Highway property” as Assessor’s Parcel Number 6169-001-900 (formerly Caltrans parcel 058166-01-01), located at Imperial Highway and Fernwood Avenue in the City of Lynwood.

Recites that Caltrans transferred the parcel to the City in 2016 and, in the deed, imposed a restriction requiring a portion known as the “Alameda triangle property” be used exclusively for public purposes for 15 years from the deed’s recorded date.

Requires the Department of Transportation to release and remove that 15‑year public‑use deed restriction on the Imperial Highway property.

Declares that a special statute is necessary (Article IV, §16 of the California Constitution) because of the parcel’s unique nature.

2) Vehicle Code — §23109 (speed contests / exhibitions)

Amends Section 23109 to make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the existing statutory language that prohibits engaging in, aiding, or abetting motor vehicle speed contests or exhibitions of speed on highways and in off‑street parking facilities.

No substantive change to the penalties or the structure of offenses is stated in the bill text or digest.

Who is affected

City of Lynwood: Gains removal of the deed restriction on a specific parcel (APN 6169-001-900), which may allow broader uses or disposition of the Alameda triangle property.

Department of Transportation (Caltrans): Required to take action to release and remove the recorded deed restriction on that parcel.

Local community and stakeholders: Potential change in land use for the parcel (could affect public access, development options, municipal planning, or revenues).

No broad statewide change to Vehicle Code enforcement — amendments are described as technical.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Digest indicates no appropriation; no clear state fiscal committee referral is shown. Removing a deed restriction is generally administrative and unlikely to require large state expenditures, but local fiscal effects depend on Lynwood’s subsequent actions for the parcel.

Legislative actions: introduced 2/21/2025; read and amended 3/24/2025 and re‑referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee; set for first hearing on 4/8/2025 (hearing canceled at author’s request).

The bill contains a legislative finding that a special, parcel‑specific statute is necessary.

Potential impacts and considerations

Enables the City of Lynwood to use or develop the Alameda triangle portion of the parcel without the prior 15‑year public‑use deed restriction; exact impacts depend on city planning decisions.

Establishes a one‑off statutory amendment targeted to a single parcel (special‑statute justification included).

No substantive policy change to laws addressing illegal street racing and speed exhibitions.

Bill