The Legislature declares that its intent in enacting this chapter is to encourage a motorist aid system comprising multiple service elements and infrastructure along the California Freeway and Expressway System to enable motorists in need of aid to obtain assistance. However, it is not intended that a motorist aid system be considered an emergency system.
Chapter 14Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies
Section § 2550
This law states that California aims to create a motorist aid system along its freeways and expressways. The intention is to help drivers who need assistance, but this system shouldn't be seen as an emergency service.
motorist aid system California Freeway Expressway System motorist assistance infrastructure service elements Legislature intent non-emergency driver assistance roadside help highway support traffic systems motorist help freeway aid expressway services
Section § 2551
This section outlines how a service authority for freeway emergencies can be created within a California county. It states that the establishment requires resolutions from the county's board of supervisors and a majority of the city councils representing most of the county's city population. These authorities can be the county transportation commission, a council of governments, or specific regional bodies like the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for certain counties, and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments for others. The roles of these authorities are limited to managing freeway emergencies, including callbox systems on bikeways.
For Imperial County, the Imperial County Transportation Commission can serve as the authority under specific conditions. Generally, the term "service authority" in this context refers to these entities tasked with managing freeway emergencies.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(a) A service authority for freeway emergencies may be established in any county if the board of supervisors of the county and the city councils of a majority of the cities within the county having a majority of the population of cities within the county adopt resolutions providing for the establishment of the authority.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(b) The resolutions may designate the county transportation commission for the county created pursuant to Division 12 (commencing with Section 130000)
of the Public Utilities Code or a council of governments formed pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) as the service authority for freeway emergencies. The powers of a commission or council of governments so designated are limited to those of the service authority.
(c)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(c) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission may function as the service authority for freeway emergencies in any or all of the Counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Solano,
Sonoma, and Napa, and the City and County of San Francisco, upon adoption of a resolution by the commission to act as a service authority and upon ratification of the commission’s resolution in a particular county by the board of supervisors of the city and county or by the board of supervisors of the county and by the city councils of the cities within the county having a majority of the population of the cities within the county.
(d)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(d)
(1)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(d)(1) The Sacramento Area Council of Governments may function as the service authority for freeway emergencies in any or all of the Counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, and San Joaquin, or any other county that is not within another multicounty service authority, upon adoption of a resolution by the council to act as a service authority and upon ratification of the resolution in a
particular county by the board of supervisors of the county and by the city councils of the cities within the county having a majority of the population of the cities within the county.
(2)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(d)(2) The Sacramento Area Council of Governments may also exercise, as a service authority, in any of those counties, the powers specified in Section 891.5 pertaining to callboxes on class 1 bikeways.
(e)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(e) The Imperial County Transportation Commission may function as the service authority for freeway emergencies in the County of Imperial pursuant to Section 132822 of the Public Utilities Code upon adoption of a resolution by the commission to act as a
service authority and upon ratification of the resolution by the board of supervisors of the county and by the city councils of the cities within the county having a majority of the population of the cities within the county.
(f)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2551(f) As used in this chapter, “authority” and “service authority” mean a service authority for freeway emergencies created pursuant to this chapter.
service authority for freeway emergencies county transportation commission council of governments Metropolitan Transportation Commission Sacramento Area Council of Governments Imperial County Transportation Commission callboxes on bikeways resolution adoption ratification local governmental resolutions freeway emergency management majority city population regional transportation authority urban emergency response public safety coordination
Section § 2551.5
This law lets county boards and city councils allow service authority members to be paid up to $100 for attending each meeting or other official service activities, with a cap of $500 per month. Additionally, members can be reimbursed for any necessary expenses they incur while doing their job.
The board of supervisors, and the city councils of the cities in the county, may authorize the members of the service authority to receive for each attendance at meetings of the service authority, and for each day any member is engaged in authorized service authority business other than attendance at meetings of the service authority, the maximum sum of one hundred dollars ($100), but not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in any calendar month, and to be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
service authority members meeting attendance fee authorized service business reimbursement of expenses compensation limit county boards city councils official duties monthly cap expense reimbursement discharge of duties
Section § 2551.6
This section explains that a service authority can run a freeway service patrol in its area, but if another agency is already doing this, the service authority needs to get permission from that agency first.
A service authority may agree to operate the freeway service patrol in the county or region in which the service authority was created. If another agency is operating a freeway service patrol in the county or region, the service authority shall obtain approval from that agency before operating the freeway service patrol.
freeway service patrol service authority agency approval operations agreement county operations regional service authority jurisdiction existing patrol operations agency collaboration patrol management approval requirement operating agreement jurisdictional consent cross-agency coordination
Section § 2552
This law sets guidelines for how the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the Sacramento Area Council of Governments should use funds when acting as a service authority for multiple counties. They get these funds from a specific vehicle code section. After they pay for their own necessary administrative costs, the remaining money should be used for a motorist aid system within the counties.
However, the amount spent in each county should match the share of revenue generated from that county. More funds can be spent in a county, beyond its share, but only if all representatives from the donor counties agree.
When the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the Sacramento Area Council of Governments functions as the service authority for two or more counties, the revenues which it receives pursuant to Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code, after retention of amounts necessary to reimburse the commission or the council for its reasonable and necessary administrative costs, shall be expended for implementation, maintenance, and operation of a motorist aid system within those counties. The amount expended for each of those counties shall be in the same proportion as the revenues generated within the county bears to the total revenues received by the commission or the council. Expenditures may be made in a county in addition to revenues proportionately generated if the expenditures are approved by all of the donor county representatives on the service authority.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission Sacramento Area Council of Governments service authority motorist aid system revenue distribution county proportionate funds administrative costs vehicle code revenues donor county approval fund allocation multi-county services transportation funding revenue sharing expenditure guidelines
Section § 2553
This law outlines the composition of certain transportation authorities in California. If an authority is not part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or similar bodies, it will have a total of seven members: two selected by county supervisors and five picked by city councils. If the Metropolitan Transportation Commission serves as the authority, all its members make up the authority. For the Sacramento Area Council of Governments acting as a service authority, it includes its board of directors along with additional representatives from San Joaquin County, its cities, and any other member counties or cities not currently part of the council.
An authority, other than the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or a county transportation commission or a council of governments designated pursuant to Section 2551, shall have seven members, with two members selected by the board of supervisors and five members selected jointly by the city councils of cities within the county.
If the Metropolitan Transportation Commission functions as a service authority, it shall consist of all the members of the commission as set forth in Section 66503 of the Government Code.
If the Sacramento Area Council of Governments functions as a service authority, it shall consist of (a) all of the members of the board of directors of the council, as set forth in the Joint Powers Agreement of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, dated October 21, 1980, pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, (b) one member representing San Joaquin County, (c) one member representing the cities of San Joaquin County, (d) one member representing any other county that is not already a member of the council, and (e) one member representing the cities within that county.
transportation authority composition Metropolitan Transportation Commission Sacramento Area Council of Governments county supervisors city councils service authority members San Joaquin County representation Joint Powers Agreement subcounty representation transportation governance California transportation agencies regional transportation bodies local government representation transportation service authorities
Section § 2554
This law allows an authority to make contracts and do anything necessary to fulfill its responsibilities as outlined in this and other related laws. Essentially, it gives the authority the power to take actions needed to perform its duties.
An authority may contract and may undertake any act convenient or necessary to carry out this chapter and any other law relating to the authority.
authority powers contracting authority necessary acts carry out responsibilities legal authority actions fulfilling responsibilities authority duties undertake actions convenient acts related laws enabling actions authority operations authority contracts fulfillment actions authority act execution
Section § 2555
This law allows a local authority to charge a $1 annual fee on vehicles that are registered in the county.
An authority may impose a fee of one dollar ($1) per year, on vehicles registered in the county pursuant to Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code.
vehicle registration fee county fee annual vehicle fee local authority charge Section 9250.10 Vehicle Code one dollar fee county vehicles vehicle registration surcharge
Section § 2555.1
This law explains what happens to the service authority overseeing the callbox system in San Diego County starting January 1, 2013. SANDAG will take over all tasks related to the operation, administration, and maintenance of the system.
SANDAG must publicly share its budget and the use of funds from collected fees. Any extra reserves over $4 million are to be divided among San Diego cities and unincorporated counties based on fees paid in the 2010-11 fiscal year, to be used according to specific rules.
The existing authority must work with SANDAG on a transition plan and cannot spend funds or make contracts without SANDAG's approval during the transition.
SANDAG can continue funding police, fire, and rescue helicopter programs in line with existing guidelines.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2555.1(a) On January 1, 2013, the service authority created in the County of San Diego shall be dissolved, and, notwithstanding Section 2551, SANDAG shall become the successor to the dissolved service authority and assume the remaining responsibilities for all operational, administrative, and maintenance tasks for the callbox system. SANDAG shall post its detailed budget relative to the revenue received from the collection of fees pursuant to Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code, and the expenditures of these funds, on its Internet Web site.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2555.1(b) Any reserves in excess of four million dollars ($4,000,000) held by the authority on the date that the act adding this section becomes
effective shall be distributed to cities in the County of San Diego, and to the county with respect to the unincorporated area of the county, in proportion to fees paid pursuant to Section 2555 in the 2010–11 fiscal year by residents of each city and the unincorporated area. SANDAG, as the successor authority, shall distribute the funds on or before March 31, 2013. The distributed funds shall be used by the recipient jurisdictions in compliance with the provisions of Section 2557.
(c)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2555.1(c) The authority shall develop a plan in consultation with SANDAG for transitioning its responsibilities to SANDAG during the transition period between the effective date of the act adding this section and January 1, 2013. During the transition period, the authority
shall not expend any funds or enter into any contracts without written approval from SANDAG.
(d)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2555.1(d) SANDAG as the successor authority may continue to fund police, fire, and rescue helicopter programs consistent with the provisions of Section 2557.
SANDAG San Diego callbox system service authority dissolution budget posting county reserves distribution transition plan fee revenue transition responsibilities police helicopter funding fire helicopter funding rescue helicopter programs operational tasks administrative tasks maintenance tasks
Section § 2556
This law allows a service authority that was previously set up by certain counties or cities in California to be combined with a bigger service authority created by either the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
An existing service authority established by any of the counties or the city and county enumerated in subdivision (c) of Section 2551 may be merged into a service authority established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
service authority merger Metropolitan Transportation Commission Sacramento Area Council of Governments county service authority city service authority transportation governance regional service authority California counties local government cooperation service authority integration regional collaboration local transportation authority infrastructure management jurisdiction merger county-city service consolidation
Section § 2557
This law focuses on how funds for motorist aid systems, such as call boxes, should be used by local authorities. These funds are obtained from vehicle registration fees. The money can be used for acquiring and maintaining equipment like call boxes, message signs, and other facilities to assist motorists on freeways and expressways.
Authorities can either manage these projects directly or hire private contractors. They can use revenue bonds for funding and must ensure that the purchased facilities last as long as the bonds' terms.
Projects should also adhere to guidelines from state departments such as Caltrans and CHP and meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Authority must ensure financial records are retained properly and cannot bypass permits required for operations within certain jurisdictions.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(a) Each service authority shall determine how moneys received by it pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code shall be used for the implementation, maintenance, and operation of a motorist aid system, including the lease or lease-purchase of facilities and equipment for the system, on the portions of the California Freeway and Expressway System and a county expressway system, and the unincorporated county roads in that county, and on state highway routes that
connect segments of these systems, that are located within the county in which the authority is established. The department and the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall each review and approve plans, pursuant to the “CHP/Caltrans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines,” referenced in Section 2421.5 of the Vehicle Code, for implementation of a motorist aid system of call boxes proposed for any state highway route and shall be reimbursed by the service authority for all costs incurred due to review and approval of the plan.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(b) An authority or any other public entity may construct and maintain, and lease or lease-purchase on terms and conditions it deems appropriate, the facilities of a motorist aid system or it may contract with a private person or entity to do so.
(c)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(c) If leases or lease-purchase agreements are entered into pursuant to subdivision (a), or if revenue bonds are issued and sold pursuant to Section 2558, the moneys received by each service authority pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code shall be used to the extent necessary to make lease payments or to pay the principal of, and interest on, the amount of bonded indebtedness outstanding, as the case may be. Facilities and equipment acquired through the expenditure of proceeds from the sale of those bonds shall have a useful life at least equal to the term of the bonds.
(d)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)
(1)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1) Any moneys received and allocated by a service authority pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code may be used for purposes of paragraph (2) and for full implementation and ongoing
costs to maintain and operate the motorist aid system pursuant to subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following motorist aid and safety-related projects:
(A)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(A) Call boxes.
(B)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(B) Changeable message signs.
(C)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(C) Lighting for call boxes.
(D)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(D) Support for traffic operations centers.
(E)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(E) Contracting for removal of disabled vehicles from the traveled portion of the right-of-way, including operation of the freeway service patrol pursuant to Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 2560).
(F)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(F) Traveler information systems, Intelligent
Transportation System architecture and infrastructure, and other transportation demand management services.
(G)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(1)(G) Safety-related hazard and obstruction removal.
(2)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(2) Any amendment to an existing plan for a motorist aid system of call boxes adopted by a service authority for any state highway route shall, prior to implementation, be submitted to the department and the Department of the California Highway Patrol for review and approval, and shall not be implemented until so reviewed and approved pursuant to the “CHP/Caltrans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines,” referenced in Section 2421.5 of the Vehicle Code. The service authority shall reimburse each department for the costs of that review.
(3)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(d)(3) Service authority
funding provided for projects described in subparagraphs (B),(F), and (G) of paragraph (1) is intended to supplement, and not replace, department expenditures for similar infrastructure and services on the California Freeway and Expressway System.
(e)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(e) A service authority may develop policies for the retention of records, including, but not limited to, authority operations, contracts, and programs, and the length of the retention period.
(f)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(f) A motorist aid system constructed, maintained, or operated pursuant to this section shall meet the applicable standards of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336) and federal regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(g)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2557(g) Nothing in this section relieves a service authority of any obligation under the law to receive appropriate permission or approval from the department for activities within rights-of-way under the jurisdiction of the department.
motorist aid system call boxes vehicle registration fees freeway service patrol revenue bonds CHP/Caltrans guidelines traffic operation centers Intelligent Transportation Systems ADA compliance disabled vehicle removal record retention policies traffic management safety hazard removal infrastructure funding state highway projects
Section § 2558
A service authority in California can issue revenue bonds to support and maintain a motorist aid program, like call boxes, by using certain fees as a guarantee for bond repayment. These fees, collected under specific conditions, act as security for these bonds or lease agreements. Once fees are pledged, they automatically become a top priority debt without needing any other action. If multiple financial commitments exist, priority is given based on when each was approved. Importantly, the money from these bonds cannot be used to actually operate the call box system, only for its setup and maintenance.
Additionally, service authorities may issue bonds for each county they cover.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2558(a) Subject to subdivision (b), a service authority may issue revenue bonds pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 54300) of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, or Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 4950) of Part 3 of Division 5 of the Health and Safety Code, as nearly as practicable, for the implementation and maintenance of a motorist aid program and shall pledge revenues to be received from fees referred to in Section 2555 as security for the payment of principal or of interest or other amounts due on those revenue bonds. In addition, a service authority that has entered into one or more leases or lease-purchase agreements for facilities of a motorist aid program may also pledge, as security for the payment of amounts due under the leases or agreements, revenues to be received from those fees. The pledge of revenues provided for in this subdivision shall be a first and prior lien and, without any action other than the adoption by the members of a resolution providing for the pledge, the lien of the pledge shall attach and become perfected as to each fee imposed pursuant to Section 9250.10 of the Vehicle Code as and when the fee becomes due and payable. However, if a service authority has, at the same time, existing obligations under one or more issues of revenue bonds, one or more leases or lease-purchase agreements, or both, the respective priorities of the liens of pledges of revenue shall be determined on the basis of the respective dates on which resolutions providing for those pledges were adopted, with the highest priority being accorded the pledge of revenues provided for in the earliest of those resolutions. Bond proceeds shall not be used for operation of a motorist aid system of call boxes.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 2558(b) A service authority may issue revenue bonds for each county within its jurisdiction.
service authority revenue bonds motorist aid program call boxes fees as security pledge of revenues first and prior lien county jurisdiction lease-purchase agreements priority of liens Vehicle Code Section 9250.10 bond repayment financial commitments bond proceeds restriction county-specific issuance
Section § 2559
If you tamper with or damage a motorist aid call box without permission in California, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, the court might require you to cover the costs of fixing or replacing the call box, along with other possible penalties.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to remove, damage, interfere with the use of, or obstruct any motorist aid call box provided pursuant to this chapter without the consent of the authority.
A person convicted under this section may be required by the court to pay to the service authority the costs of repairing or replacing the call box, in addition to any other penalty.
motorist aid call box tampering with call box call box damage misdemeanor repair costs interference penalty obstruction penalty motorist assistance unauthorized removal service authority consent
