Local alternative transportation improvement program: Feather River crossing.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by James Gallagher

Redirects excess Feather River project sale proceeds, after costs and federal reimbursements, to fund a local LATIP for Yuba City/Sutter counties, approved by CTC by 7/1/2030.

In committee: Held under submission.

#featherrivercrossing #localalternativetransportationimprovementprogram

Purpose / Intent

AB 1343 creates a focused, time‑limited mechanism to direct proceeds from surplus state highway property toward local transportation improvements in the area where a planned state crossing of the Feather River is no longer going to be built. The bill aims to help the City of Yuba City and Sutter and Yuba Counties address local transportation problems and opportunities that resulted from the canceled state facility and to support a transition to a local bridge project.

Key provisions

Adds Government Code section 14528.4.

Authorizes the affected local agencies (where the planned state facilities were to be located), acting jointly with the applicable regional transportation planning agency, to develop and file a "local alternative transportation improvement program" (LATIP) with the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

Grants the CTC final authority over the content and approval of the LATIP.

Establishes a deadline: the CTC may not approve any LATIP submitted under this section after July 1, 2030.

Directs that all proceeds from the sale of “excess properties” (defined as properties acquired to construct the canceled Feather River state facilities and now planned as a local bridge project), less federal reimbursements and sale costs, must be allocated by the CTC to fund the approved LATIP.

Exempts those proceeds from the usual fair‑share distribution rules (references to Streets & Highways Code Sections 188 and 188.8), allowing the funds to be used regionally for the approved LATIP.

Who is affected

Local agencies in Yuba City and Sutter and Yuba Counties and the regional transportation planning agency (RTPA) for that area (e.g., Sutter/Yuba RTPA).

California Transportation Commission (decision and allocation authority).

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) — in that proceeds from sale of excess Caltrans property would be reallocated as described.

Potentially, federal funding interests where reimbursements are due.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Digest indicates a fiscal committee review was required; the bill does not create a state appropriation.

The CTC cannot approve programs after July 1, 2030 (time‑limited window).

Legislative actions: introduced 2/21/2025; progressed through Assembly Transportation committee with amendments and was re‑referred to Appropriations; held under submission 5/23/2025.

Potential impacts / considerations

Concentrates sale proceeds locally for a targeted LATIP rather than routing them through usual statewide fair‑share allocations, enabling focused investment in a local bridge project and related transportation needs.

Limits the window for application/approval (must be approved by 7/1/2030).

Requires coordination among local agencies and the RTPA and subjects the program to CTC approval and oversight.

Federal reimbursement obligations and sale costs reduce the net amount available.

Bill