California Assembly Bill AB891

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/25
• Refer: 3/3/25
• Report Pass: 4/8/25
• Refer: 4/8/25
• Refer: 5/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/23/25
• Engrossed: 6/4/25
• Refer: 6/5/25
• Refer: 6/18/25
• Report Pass: 6/25/25
• Refer: 6/25/25
• Report Pass: 7/9/25
• Refer: 7/9/25
• Refer: 8/25/25

Caption

An act to add and repeal Section 91.3 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.

Summary

AB 891 would create a temporary Quick-Build Project Pilot Program within Caltrans’ maintenance program to speed up the development and implementation of low-cost transportation improvements on the state highway system. The bill specifically contemplates quick-build projects such as bicycle and pedestrian safety facilities, signage, lane markings, and other durable, low- to moderate-cost measures that can be installed with minor construction and remain in place for one to five years. The measure requires Caltrans to publish guidance for district quick-build projects by December 31, 2027, and to identify and commit funding for at least six quick-build projects statewide by December 31, 2028. The pilot program would sunset on January 1, 2030, meaning the new section would be repealed unless extended or replaced before then.

Impact

AB 891 would add Section 91.3 to the Streets and Highways Code, creating a new statutory framework for Caltrans to plan and fund quick-build transportation improvements on state highways. It would not broadly change highway maintenance law, but it would direct the department to develop implementation guidance and dedicate attention to a minimum number of pilot projects, affecting Caltrans’ project selection, planning, and maintenance operations. The bill is time-limited and would automatically repeal in 2030.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have generally favorable support among legislators who voted on it, as reflected in multiple committee and floor votes with more yeas than nays. The concept of faster, lower-cost safety improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians likely aligns with broader transportation safety and active-transportation goals. However, the bill’s later status of being held under submission and placed on suspense suggests that fiscal or implementation concerns remained significant enough to slow its progress.

Contention

The main points of contention appear to be fiscal and administrative rather than ideological. Because the bill requires Caltrans to develop guidance and commit to funding at least six projects, opponents or cautious members may have been concerned about cost, staffing, project prioritization, or whether the department should be required to set aside funding for a specific pilot program. Supporters likely view the bill as a practical way to deliver safety improvements quickly, especially for bicycle and pedestrian users, while skeptics may question whether the pilot is sufficiently defined or whether it could compete with other transportation priorities.