The deadline for legislators to introduce bills during the second year of the 2021-22 legislative session was last week. CSAC is sponsoring AB 2120 (Ward) and AB 1932 (Daly)—two transportation and public works bills—and encourages all counties to express their support for these bills.  

AB 2120 would restore a historic formula that was used to distribute dedicated federal bridge funding and apply it to bridge formula funds California will receive from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), thereby directing a significant amount of funding to county bridge repair and replacement projects. AB 1932 would indefinitely extend the authority of counties to utilize the “Construction Manager At-Risk” method for specified public works projects.

These measures were introduced earlier this month and must be in print for 30 days before they can be considered at a committee hearing. We expect initial policy committee hearings in late March or early April. Additional details are available below.

AB 2120 (Ward): Investing Federal Funding in Local Bridges

AB 2120 would apply California’s historic 55% local, 45% state formula from the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program to the $4.2 billion in dedicated bridge formula funding California will receive from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill would also require Caltrans to maintain its current commitment of funding from the National Highway Performance Program to local bridges on federal-aid highways. Together, these policy changes would increase annual funding available to local bridges from under $300 million annually to approximately $800 million annually.

CSAC strongly encourages counties to submit letters in support of the bill and provide a copy to CSAC staff (Marina Espinoza at mespinoza@counties.org). Please reach out to CSAC staff for additional information on other actions counties can take to support AB 2120.

The fact sheet for this bill is available here.

AB 1932 (Daly): Construction Manager at Risk Contracts

AB 1932 deletes the January 1, 2023 sunset date on a state law authorizing counties to utilize the “Construction Manager At-Risk” method for specified public works projects.

Under current law, counties are authorized to use the “Construction Manager At-Risk” (CMAR) method for qualifying public works contracts exceeding $1 million. CMAR was authorized for the construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of infrastructure, such as buildings, utility improvements associated with buildings, flood control and underground utility improvements, and bridges.

Under this method, the CMAR entity acts as the general contractor during the construction phase and retains the responsibility for monitoring design changes under a guaranteed maximum price contract. The CMAR method facilitates the completion and delivery of complex public works projects efficiently and cost effectively. 

The fact sheet for this bill is available here.