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Inventory of the California State Senate Transportation Committee Records
LP56:13, LP58:17-23, LP74:30-31, LP76:43-98, LP113:23-24, LP136:33-34, LP176:83-93, LP194:111, LP219:176, LP223:226-235, LP230:275-280,
LP272:227-234, LP424:1-319
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Title: California State Senate Transportation Committee Records
Dates: 1948-2004
Collection number: LP56:13, LP58:17-23, LP74:30-31, LP76:43-98, LP113:23-24, LP136:33-34, LP176:83-93, LP194:111, LP219:176, LP223:226-235, LP230:275-280,
LP272:227-234, LP424:1-319
Creator:
State Senate Transportation Committee Records
Collection Size:
14.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Senate Transportation Committee records consist of 14.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records organized into the
following record series: Bill Files covering legislative sessions between 1975-2004; Hearing Files from 1948-2004; Subject
Files from 1986-1988 and 1995-1996; General Correspondence from 1994-1998; Agency Correspondence from 1997-1998; Chronological
Files from 1989-2004; and Committee Files from 1976-2004. The records reflect the activity of the committee in overseeing
legislation and other matters affecting transportation issues.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Senate Transportation Committee Records, LP[number]: [folder number], California State Archives,
Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the Senate Transportation Committee Records according to state law.
From 1949-2004, the Senate Transportation Committee oversaw legislation regarding owning and operating transportation vessels,
state transportation agencies and organizations, and general transportation matters at both state and local levels. The first
Senate committee that had transportation under its purview was the Senate Transportation and Commerce Committee, created in
1940. In 1949 the committee's name changed to the Senate Transportation Committee by Senate Resolution 3 and its scope expanded
to cover "bills amending the a)Vehicle Code, b) Streets and Highway Code, c) Harbors and Navigation Code, and d) Uncodified
legislation relating to the same subjects or to aviation." On April 6, 1972, Senate Resolution 38 expanded the scope of the
Senate Transportation Committee to consider "Bills relating to the operation, safety, equipment, transfer of ownership, licensing
and registration of vehicles, aircraft and vessels other than public transportation systems," "legislation affecting the Division
of Highways and the Department of Motor Vehicles" and "Bills relating to waterways, harbors, highways and airports." On March
17, 1983, Senate Resolution 11 changed the scope of the committee to reflect the name change of Division of Highways to Department
of Transportation. In December 2004, Senate Resolution 4 combined the responsibilities of the Senate Housing and Community
Development Committee with the responsibilities of the Senate Transportation Committee and the committee was renamed the Senate
Transportation and Housing Committee.
The committee consisted of nine to fifteen members during its 64 year existence. The chairs of the committee were:
Senate Transportation Committee, 1949-2004
Collier, Randolph (Dem.), 1949-1971, 1975-1977
Carrell, Tom (Dem.), 1971-1973
Walsh, Lawrence (Dem.), 1973-1975
Presley, Robert (Dem.), 1977-1979
Foran, John (Dem.), 1979-1985
Deddeh, Wadie (Dem.), 1985-1989
Kopp, Quentin (Ind.), 1989-1997
Karnette, Betty (Dem.), 1997-2001
Murray, Kevin (Dem.), 2001-2004
The Senate Transportation Committee records consist of 14.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records organized into the
following record series: Bill Files covering legislative sessions between 1975-2004; Hearing Files from 1948-2004; Subject
Files from 1986-1988 and 1995-1996; General Correspondence from 1994-1998; Agency Correspondence from 1997-1998; Chronological
Files from 1989-2004; and Committee Files from 1976-2004. The records reflect the activity of the committee in overseeing
legislation and other matters affecting transportation issues.
The Bill Files document the legislation directed to the committee. The files include committee analysis, letters from interested
parties, and the comments of affected agencies. These files show the close involvement of the committee in such issues as
underground fuel pipelines (AB1408, 2003-2004), heavy duty vehicle emissions (AB1009, 2003-2004), Smog Check legislation (AB57,
AB208, AB1492, 1997-1998), highway congestion, ports, "home study" traffic violator schools (AB2377, 2003-2004) and other
issues related to transportation.
The Senate Transportation Committee considered bills that generated a substantial community response. The committee played
an important role in enacting mandatory motorcycle helmet laws in California (AB36, 1987-1988), providing assistance to low
income families for high-polluting vehicle repair (AB1492, 1997-1998), creating the state's highly contentious Smog Check
II program, assembling the Global Gateways Development Council (SB924, 2003-2004), deciding truck length limitations for flower
transportation (SB1135, 2003-2004), prohibiting the installation of specific automotive parts that pose a threat to the safety
of others (AB377, 2003-2004), reformatting the 1965 Highway Beautification Project to fit the current needs and boundaries
of the state's highway system, and other significant matters relating to transportation in California.
The committee conducted hearings, special hearings, and interim hearings on issues such as earthquake damage, the California
Transportation Commission, specific locations such as the Embarcadero Freeway, the Clean Air Transportation Improvement Act
of 1990 (Prop 116), disabled parking, and various legislative bills. These hearings, their agendas, committee notes and related
information are included in the Hearing Files. The Subject Files consist of correspondence, pamphlets and brochures, letters
of opposition and support, and related information regarding motorcycle helmet laws and smog check legislation. General Correspondence
files include formal and informal letters, memorandums, notes, and other information between constituents and legislative
members, as well as correspondence between constituents and agencies and the committee's staff members. Agency Correspondence
includes informal and formal letters and notes between State Senate and Assembly members and staff, federal agencies and organizations,
Legislative Counsel, and press. Chronological Files include general information organized by year. Committee Files include
summaries, agendas and roll call votes for each bill heard in the committee between 1976 and 2004.
Together, these records reflect the committee's attempt to balance the varied and sometimes conflicting demands of California's
citizens for responsible transportation practices, affordable vehicle ownership and operation, environmental protection, and
public safety on highways and roads.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Transportation --California
California. Dept. of Transportation
California. Legislature. Senate. Committee on Transportation
Related Collections at the California State Archives
Assembly Transportation Committee Records, 1954-2006
Assembly Interim Transportation and Commerce Committee, 1945-1969
Assembly Transportation and Commerce Committee, 1945-1969
Randolph Collier Papers, 1939-1976
Wadie P. Deddeh Papers, 1967-1993
Robert Presley Papers, 1973-1994