SW Riverside News

Senator Kelly Seyarto from Murrieta has introduced a new transportation bill package aimed at enhancing consumer protection, road safety, and state agency accountability. The 2024 package includes several bills targeting different aspects of transportation issues in California.

One of the proposed bills, SB 932, seeks to modify protections for new owners of used vehicles. This measure aims to ensure that these owners are not held responsible for past due registration fees and penalties incurred by previous owners. Senator Seyarto explained the rationale behind this bill: “The choice to purchase a used car should not saddle the new owner with unknown fees,” adding that it will help Californians avoid unexpected expenses when buying a vehicle.

Another bill in the package, SB 936, focuses on improving highway safety. It proposes creating a CEQA exemption for safety improvements at the top 15 locations on California's state highway system with the highest collision rates. This initiative is intended to make it easier for local agencies and the state to address dangerous roads effectively. Senator Seyarto emphasized the importance of prioritizing projects that save lives: “Many of our communities have well-known stretches of road that are dangerous to locals.”

Additionally, SB 947 addresses late-stage changes in project design for state highway projects where local agencies have made significant financial contributions. The bill aims to ensure such changes are only made when necessary, preventing unnecessary costs for municipalities involved in lengthy processes with the state. Senator Seyarto highlighted concerns over these costs: “Our municipalities should not bear the burden of added costs when a state agency requests a design change when a project is in the late stages.”

Overall, these legislative proposals aim to bring essential improvements to California's transportation system.