KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-1399 • 2026

Department of Transportation: encroachment permits: broadband facilities.

Department of Transportation: encroachment permits: broadband facilities.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hoover
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on additional actions beyond uniformity and expedited reviews.

Department of Transportation: Broadband Facilities on State Highways

This law requires the Department of Transportation to have a uniform process for issuing permits and expedite reviews for broadband facilities near state highways.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Transportation to have a uniform application and review process for giving permits to place broadband facilities near state highways.
  • Expedites how quickly the Department of Transportation reviews applications for broadband facility permits.
  • Adds new rules about what the Department of Transportation must do when reviewing broadband facility permit applications.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Companies and organizations applying for permits to place broadband facilities near state highways.
  • The Department of Transportation which reviews these applications.

Terms To Know

Broadband Facilities
Equipment used to provide high-speed internet services, like cables or towers.
Encroachment Permits
Permits given by the Department of Transportation that allow placing equipment on state highways or nearby land.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much faster the review process will be.
  • It is unclear what specific additional actions beyond uniformity and expedited reviews are required for broadband facility permit applications.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-04-16 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  5. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

  6. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

  7. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

  8. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

  9. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and C. & C.

  10. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  11. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  12. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1399, as amended, Hoover.
Department of Transportation: encroachment permits: broadband facilities.
Existing law establishes the Department of Transportation and vests it with full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property for state highway purposes. Existing law authorizes the department to issue a written permit to place an encroachment on the state highway. Existing law requires the department to perform certain actions if the encroachment permit application is for a broadband facility.
This bill would require the department’s application and review process for an encroachment permit application for a broadband facility to be uniform throughout the state. The bill would require the department to expedite review of an encroachment permit application for broadband facilities.
This bill would require the department to perform additional actions for an encroachment permit application for a broadband facility, including, but not limited to, requiring the application and review process for the application to be uniform throughout the state, and would require a broadband facility encroachment permit application that is deemed complete to be deemed approved.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF