California Senate Bill SB78

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/29/25
• Refer: 4/2/25
• Report Pass: 4/9/25
• Refer: 4/9/25
• Report Pass: 5/23/25
• Engrossed: 5/29/25
• Refer: 6/5/25
• Report Pass: 7/8/25
• Refer: 7/8/25
• Report Pass: 8/29/25
• Enrolled: 9/12/25
• Chaptered: 10/13/25
• Passed: 10/13/25

Caption

An act to add and repeal Section 237 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.

Summary

SB 78 requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to prepare a one-time report to the Legislature on how to speed up delivery of safety enhancement projects on the state highway system. The report must examine administrative, regulatory, and procedural delays; evaluate alternative delivery methods such as design-build, progressive design-build, job order contracting, and construction manager/general contractor; and identify whether Caltrans has enough statutory authority to use those methods for safety-focused projects. It must also include recommendations for improving interagency coordination and procurement strategies, along with a summary of current and planned streamlining efforts. The bill is structured as an informational measure rather than a mandate to change project delivery immediately. It requires the report to rely only on available data, prohibits project-specific findings or claims about causation between delivery time and safety outcomes, and states that it does not create any new duty, right, or standard of care for the department. The report is due to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and the new code section is repealed on January 1, 2031.

Impact

SB 78 adds Section 237 to the Streets and Highways Code, creating a temporary reporting requirement for Caltrans regarding safety enhancement projects on the state highway system. It does not directly alter project approval, procurement, or construction rules, but it may influence future legislation or administrative changes by identifying bottlenecks, evaluating alternative delivery methods, and flagging any gaps in Caltrans’ statutory authority. The bill affects Caltrans, the Legislature, and potentially contractors and project delivery partners involved in highway safety work.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. The available vote history shows unanimous or near-unanimous approval at each recorded step, including committee votes, floor passage, and concurrence, with no recorded opposition. The absence of committee transcript discussion suggests there was little public dispute over the measure, and its limited, informational scope likely contributed to the strong support.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The main policy question embedded in the bill is whether Caltrans has sufficient authority to use alternative delivery methods for safety-specific projects and whether additional authority may be needed, but the bill itself only asks for an assessment rather than making a change. Any potential concern would likely center on procurement flexibility, transparency, and maintaining safety standards while accelerating delivery, but no opposing arguments or amendments are reflected in the provided materials.