SB-1382 • 2026

Department of Transportation: mountain passes: openings.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Alvarado-Gil
Last action: 2026-06-01
Official status: Referred to Com. on TRANS.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on penalties for non-compliance or a precise definition of 'affected local officials', leaving these points open to interpretation.

Department of Transportation: Opening Mountain Passes

This law requires the Department of Transportation to open all mountain passes by May 1 each year and informs local officials and the public about any delays.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Transportation to ensure that all mountain passes under its control are open for operation by May 1 every year.
If it is projected that it is not feasible to meet this requirement, the department must publish a notice on its website explaining which passes won't be opened and why, by April 1 each year.
The department needs to notify affected local officials of their plans to open mountain passes by April 1 each year.
The department has to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about when mountain passes will close or reopen.

Who It Names or Affects

Department of Transportation
Local officials in areas with mountain passes
People who use mountain passes

Terms To Know

Mountain Pass: A place where a road goes over a mountain.
Department of Transportation: The government agency that takes care of roads and highways.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens if the department does not meet the May 1 deadline.
It is unclear how local officials are defined in this context.
The bill does not provide details on the consequences for failing to notify local officials or develop a public outreach plan.

Bill History

2026-06-01 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-05-20 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-08 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 14.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 3874.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1382, as amended, Alvarado-Gil.
Department of Transportation: mountain passes: openings.
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with possession and control of all state highways. Existing law requires the department, on or before July 1, 1992, to adopt and implement a deicing policy for state highways, as specified. Existing law specifically requires the department to remove snow from a specified portion of Interstate Route 80, as specified.
This bill would require the department to ensure that all mountain passes under its control are open for operation by May 1 of each year. If it is projected that it is not feasible for the department to meet that requirement, the bill would require the department to publish on its internet website a written notice of which mountain passes it will not be able to open, including the documented causes, by April 1 of each year.
This bill would require, on or before April 1 of each year, the department, to the extent feasible, to notify an affected local official of the department’s proposed schedule for opening a mountain pass, as defined. The bill would require the department to develop a public outreach plan to inform the public about the closing and opening of a mountain pass, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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