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Home My WebLink AboutSB 922 (Laird) - Vehicles -Local Agency Charges - City of SLO - SUPPORTCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114, slocity.org February 11, 2026 Senator John Laird 1021 O St., Suite 8720 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: Support for SB 922 (Laird) – Vehicles: Local Agency Charges Dear Senator Laird, On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo, I am writing to express the City’s support for your bill, SB 922, which would clarify Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code and restore local authority to recover the cost of street maintenance and repair associated with the use of public streets for public services and public works. As drafted, SB 922 appropriately narrows the existing prohibition on local charges for street use by limiting it to charges based on vehicle weight, while clearly affirming that cost-recovery fees tied to actual street maintenance, repair, and related impacts are not prohibited. This clarification is especially important in light of recent court interpretations that have read existing law too broadly and created uncertainty for local governments seeking to responsibly manage and maintain local infrastructure. Cities rely on their ability to recover the true costs of providing public services and operating public works, including the wear and tear on local streets caused by service-related vehicles. SB 922 preserves the long-standing prohibition on new weight-based road use fees, while ensuring that local agencies are not prevented from recovering legitimate costs associated with delivering essential services to the community. The City of San Luis Obispo appreciates the bill’s careful balance between maintaining voter- approved limitations and reaffirming local authority. SB 922 provides needed legal clarity, supports fiscal responsibility, and helps ensure that infrastructure maintenance costs are borne in a fair and appropriate manner. Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for your continued commitment to supporting local governments. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance as the bill moves forward. Sincerely, Erica A. Stewart Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo cc: Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council Senator John Laird Assemblymember Dawn Addis Dave Mullinax, League of California Cities League of California Cities, cityletters@cacities.org