Governor Newsom Signs SB 922, Preserving  Local Authority to Recover Street Maintenance and Repair Costs

On August 27, the Governor signed CSAC co-sponsored bill, SB 922 by Senator Laird, clarifying and reaffirming long-standing local authority to recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by essential public services – including garbage, recycling, and green waste collection – through service-related fees and charges.  

SB 922 (Laird) is a direct response to recent litigation including Rogers v. City of Redlands  decision, which created uncertainty around the ability of local governments to incorporate resulting street maintenance and repair costs into the rates, fees, or franchise agreements for essential services. The court decision determined that road repair costs recovered through solid waste fees were a violation of an unrelated section of the vehicle code, putting counties and cities at risk of losing essential streams of revenue and prompted litigation challenging these longstanding cost recovery mechanisms.  

CSAC co-sponsored the measure alongside the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) and the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) to preserve these longstanding cost recovery practices and ensure that local governments are not forced to rely solely on the General Fund or limited state transportation revenues to maintain safe and reliable streets and highways. SB 922 will take effect on January 1, 2027. Read our coalition’s request for signature here.  

For additional information contact ejungwirth@counties.org and jcejacardenas@counties.org.