Relative to the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Megan Dahle and 1 co-sponsor

Designates a Butte County SR 99 segment as the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway, with signs funded only by private donations.

From committee: Be adopted. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20).

#congressmandouglamalfamemorialhighway

1) Purpose and Intent

ACR 162 designates a specific segment of State Route 99 in Butte County as the “Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway.”

The measure honors former Congressman Doug LaMalfa, highlighting his background as a farmer and public servant, his leadership roles, and his decades of service in California and federal government.

The resolution also requests the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to determine the cost of appropriate roadway signs recognizing the designation and to erect the signs once sufficient nonstate donations cover the cost.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Designation: The bill designates the following stretch of State Route 99 in Butte County as the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway:

From Cottonwood Creek BB12-0206 (postmile 15.374) to Dry Creek 12 123 (postmile 20.598).

Signage Funding and Erection:

Caltrans is asked to determine the cost of installing designated signs that reflect the memorial designation.
The signs would be erected only after donations from nonstate sources are sufficient to cover the full cost.

Administrative Actions:

The Chief Clerk of the Assembly is directed to transmit copies of the resolution to the Director of Transportation and the bill’s author for distribution.

3) Affected Entities and Stakeholders

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans): Responsible for evaluating signage costs and implementing signage upon availability of private donations.

Public: Residents and travelers using State Route 99 in Butte County who would encounter the memorial signs.

Doug LaMalfa and his family, supporters, and constituents who sought the memorial designation.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: March 18, 2026 (by Assembly Member James Gallagher; principal coauthor: Senator Dahle).

Legislative History:

Referred to the Transportation Committee.
In April 2026, the measure was adopted by the committee and moved to the Consent Calendar.

Fiscal Considerations:

The bill states that signage would be erected only after nonstate donations cover the cost, implying reliance on private funding rather than state general funds.

Notable Context:

The resolution format indicates a ceremonial designation rather than creating new state law or altering traffic regulations; it designates a memorial name for a highway segment and requests sign installation funding via donations.

5) Notable Details

The designation ties to a specific postmile range on SR-99 in Butte County.

The resolution recognizes LaMalfa’s life milestones, including birth in Oroville, education, farm background, service in the California Legislature and U.S. House, and leadership in the Western Caucus.

Co-sponsors: Megan Dahle and James Gallagher.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar memorial highway designations in California or outline potential fiscal implications for private fundraising efforts.

Bill