Department of Transportation: homeless encampments.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not mention specific allocations of funds or the establishment of advisory committees.

Department of Transportation: Homeless Encampment Management

This law requires the Department of Transportation to coordinate with local governments to address homeless encampments on state highway property and establish a liaison office for communication.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Transportation to coordinate with local governments to prevent and manage homeless encampments on its property.
• Establishes a dedicated liaison office within the department to handle communication about homeless encampments.
• Develops joint action plans in each district where homeless encampments are present, working with local governments.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Transportation
• Local governments

Terms To Know

liaison office

An office within the Department of Transportation that helps communicate and coordinate with other agencies about homeless encampments.

joint action plan

A plan developed by the Department of Transportation and local governments to address homeless encampments in specific areas.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill requires funding from the Legislature for collaborative efforts, but it does not specify how much money will be allocated.
• It is unclear what actions the department can take if local governments do not cooperate with joint action plans.

Official Summary Text

SB 569, as amended, Blakespear.
Department of Transportation: homeless encampments.
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of the state highway system, including associated property, and authorizes the department to require the removal of any encroachment in, under, or over any state highway. Existing law authorizes the department to establish maintenance programs related to highway cleanup, as specified.
This bill would require the department to coordinate with local governments to address and prevent homeless encampments located on department property and to establish a dedicated liaison office for this purpose. The bill would require the department to develop a joint action plan for each district of the department in which homeless encampments are located on department property in collaboration with local governments located in the district. The bill would require the department,
upon appropriation by the Legislature, to allocate funds to support collaborative efforts with local governments to address homeless encampments on department property. The bill would require the department to establish an advisory committee in each district for the purpose of providing advice on the implementation of these provisions. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing specified information and recommendations regarding homeless encampments on department property.
This bill would require the department to establish a dedicated liaison to, among other things, facilitate communication with local governments and relevant state agencies with regard to addressing homeless encampments within the state highway system and to oversee the development and implementation of delegated maintenance agreements between
local agencies and the department in which both work together to reduce and remove homeless encampments within the department’s jurisdiction. The bill would authorize the department to grant a single general entry permit for the duration of a delegated maintenance agreement to conduct activities authorized by the bill. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing specified information and recommendations regarding homeless encampments.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF