Amended  IN  Assembly  May 25, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  May 18, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 15, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 02, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 776

Introduced by Assembly Member Members Holden and Ramos

February 13, 2023

An act to amend Section 510 of, and to add Section 101.19 to, the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 776, as amended, Holden. Route 210.
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system, including that for Route 210. Existing law requires the department to keep and repair all objects or markers adjacent to a state highway that have been erected to mark registered historical places.
This bill would require the department, through the erection of highway signs and appropriate markers, to provide recognition of the historical and cultural importance of the California Indian tribes local to, or historically located in, the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The bill would require the department to work with certain entities, including, but not limited to, California Indian tribes local to, or historically located along, Route 210, to name Route 210 and to identify appropriate locations for signs to recognize tribal lands along Route 210 in the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The bill would require the department to erect those signs and other appropriate markers at the appropriate locations on Route 210. The bill would specify that Route 210 shall be known and designated as the Southern California Native American Freeway or by the name developed by the department with the specified entities.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Throughout our country’s history, Native Americans have played an important role in our culture and successes.
(b) In the State of California, a state rich with Native American culture and history, we are fortunate to have organizations involved in preserving Native American culture.
(c) Southern California tribal cultural affiliations along Route 210 include Cahuilla, Chumash, Gabrieleño/Tongva, Fernandeño/Tataviam, and Serrano.
(d) California’s highway and thoroughfare system dates back thousands of years before European contact because there were indigenous routes long before Europeans arrived.
(e) Before Europeans arrived, Native Americans had a long history of traveling and trading. These routes were critical trade routes that brought communities together.
(f) The Native American community has helped dramatically in the preservation of tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people.
(g) Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the land that now constitutes the United States.
(h) Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art.
(i) Native Americans deserve to be recognized for their individual contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars.

SEC. 2.

 Section 101.19 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read:

101.19.
 (a) The Department of Transportation shall work with the Native American Heritage Commission, the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names, the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino, and California Indian tribes local to, or historically located along, Route 210, to identify appropriate locations for signs to recognize tribal lands along Route 210 and to name Route 210.
(b) The Department of Transportation shall, through the erection of highway signs and appropriate markers, provide recognition of the historical and cultural importance of the California Indian tribes local to, or historically located in, the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The department shall erect those signs and other appropriate markers at the appropriate locations on Route 210.
(c) The Legislature encourages the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino to adopt resolutions to ensure that all people learn about the approved highway signage. signs.

SEC. 3.

 Section 510 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read:

510.
 (a) Route 210 is from:
(1) Route 5 near Tunnel Station to Route 57 near the City of San Dimas via the vicinity of the City of San Fernando.
(2) Route 57 near the City of San Dimas to Route 10 in the City of Redlands via the vicinity of the City of Highland.
(b) Route 210 may be known and designated as the Southern California Native American Freeway or by the name described in subdivision (a) of Section 101.19.