TO: City of Cupertino
Legislative Review Committee
FROM: Anthony, Jason, And Paul Gonsalves
SUBJECT: Consider Recommending the City Council Adopt a Support Position On SB 922 (Laird) Vehicles: Local Agency Charges: Use of Streets or Highways DATE: August 17, 2026
The official text of SB 922 (Laird) can be found at the California Legislative Information webpage.
Summary:
SB 922 (Laird), as amended on July 2, 2026, clarifies the authority of local governments to recover the costs of street maintenance and repair through utility rates, franchise fees, and other public service charges.
The bill amends Vehicle Code Section 9400.8 to specify that the existing prohibition on local charges for the use of streets and highways applies only to charges based on vehicle weight. It further clarifies that fees, charges, or surcharges imposed by or for a local agency to recover the costs of street maintenance, street repair, and other roadway impacts associated with providing public services are not a tax or permit fee that is prohibited for the privilege of using public streets. The bill expressly authorizes local agencies to impose and collect these charges and includes legislative findings rejecting the interpretation adopted in Rogers v. City of Redlands.
For cities, counties, and special districts, SB 922 restores certainty that roadway maintenance costs attributable to public service providers may continue to be recovered through utility rates, franchise agreements, and similar cost-recovery mechanisms without violating state law. Opponents, such as the California Taxpayers Association, argue that this bill reduces transparency and weakens taxpayer protections by allowing road repair costs to be charged through service fees without voter approval.
Supporters, including the League of California Cities and the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), argue that this bill restores legal clarity and preserves long-standing local practices that allow service fees to recover roadway maintenance costs associated with providing essential public services.
Support:
Cities: Belmont, Beverly Hills, Camarillo, Campbell, Capitola, Chino Hills, Concord, El Cerrito, Fairfield, Foster City, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Glendale, Goleta, Gonzales, Grover Beach, Hollister, Hueneme, Lafayette, Lakewood, Marina, Moorpark, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norwalk, Oceanside, Orinda, Oxnard, Pacific Grove, Paramount, Paso Robles, Pico Rivera, Rancho Cucamonga, Redondo Beach, Redwood City, Rocklin, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Paula, Scotts Valley, Soledad, Stanton, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Tulare, Union City, Upland, Vacaville, Ventura, Vernon, Walnut Creek, and Westminster.
Additional support: League of California Cities [SPONSOR], Rural County Representatives of California [SPONSOR], American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Society of Civil Engineers, Region 9, California Chapters of the American Public Works Association, California Contract Cities Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California Special Districts Association, California State Association of Counties, Californians Against Waste, City and County of San Francisco, CR&R, Inc., Contra Costa County, Lamorinda Legislative Coalition, Madera County, Marin County, Monterey County, Recology, RecycleSmart, Republic Services, Santa Cruz County, Service Employees Union International, California, Shasta County, Sonoma County Mayor’s and Councilmembers’ Association, StopWaste, Town of Apple Valley, Town of Truckee, West Valley Solid Wate Management Authority
Opposition:
Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association, California Building Industry Association, California Taxpayers Association, Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Long Beach Reform Coalition, Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, National Motorists Association (unless amended) Status:
SB 922 passed out of the Assembly Floor 30-1 on August 10, 2026. This bill has been ordered to engrossing and enrolling and will then be sent to the Governor’s Office.
Legislative Platform:
This bill falls under the Transportation & Infrastructure Rehabilitation section Page 8, Item #2, “Monitor new statewide funding opportunities for maintenance and repair of local roads and highways.”
Recommended Action:
Recommend that the City Council adopt a support position on SB 922 and authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Governor requesting his signature on this bill.