Transportation omnibus bill.

(1) Existing law, the Sacramento Regional Transit District Act, creates the Sacramento Regional Transit District, with specified powers and duties relative to providing transit services in the Sacramento region. Existing law provides that the district is comprised of specified cities and unincorporated territories in the Counties of Sacramento and Yolo. Existing law sets forth provisions for transition from the Sacramento Transit Authority to the district and also sets forth provisions applicable to the establishment of the first board of the district. This bill would provide that the district includes the Cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, and West Sacramento. The bill would delete obsolete provisions relating to the transition from the authority to the district and establishment of the district's first board. The California Constitution prohibits a local government, as defined, from imposing any special tax unless it is approved by a 23 vote of the electorate. The Sacramento Regional Transit District Act prohibits the district from imposing or collecting any property tax within any city or unincorporated area of a county unless it is approved by a majority of the voters of the city or unincorporated area, as specified. This bill would make conforming changes to the Sacramento Regional Transit District Act indicating that the district may not impose or collect any property tax within any city or unincorporated area of a county unless it is approved by a 23 vote of the electorate. Existing law authorizes the Sacramento Regional Transit District to provide for a retirement system if certain requirements are met. This bill would authorize the district to establish trust accounts for that purpose. (2) Existing law requires, commencing January 1, 2004, until completion of the seismic retrofit of specified state-owned toll bridges, the Department of Transportation to provide quarterly seismic reports to the transportation committees of both houses of the Legislature and to the California Transportation Commission for other seismic retrofit programs. This bill would delete this requirement. (3) Existing law provides for the California Transportation Commission to adopt locations for state highways on routes authorized by law, and provides for relinquishment of certain segments of state highways from the state to local agencies. This bill would provide for the relinquishment of the portion of Route 39 in the City of Buena Park and all of Route 225 in the City of Santa Barbara under certain terms and conditions. (4) Existing law authorizes the impoundment of a vehicle operating as a taxicab or other passenger vehicle for hire in violation of licensing requirements adopted by a local authority for a period of 30 days or less. Existing law requires an impoundment agency to release to the registered owner or his or her agency a vehicle so impounded prior to the expiration of the impoundment period under specified circumstances. This bill would additionally require the release of an impounded vehicle operating as a taxicab or other passenger vehicle for hire in violation of the licensing requirements if the vehicle is a rental car. Because a violation of this provision is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (5) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.