Article 1. Franchises of California Streets And Highways Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.

The department has exclusive jurisdiction and, except as provided in this article, may grant upon the terms, limitations, conditions, and restrictions and under the supervision as in its judgment are necessary or proper, franchises, privileges, or licenses for the construction or operation of toll bridges, toll roads, and toll ferries and for the taking and keeping of tolls from the bridges, roads, and ferries situated wholly or in part within the state. "Toll ferries" do not include vessels operated by common carriers providing transportation service subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission.

The department shall require the grantee of any such franchise, privilege, or license to pay a license tax or fee of not less than ten dollars ($10) or more than one hundred dollars ($100) a month, the amount of which shall be fixed in the franchise.

The department may fix the rate of tolls, and from time to time regulate, modify, and change any such tolls which may be collected on any toll bridge, toll roads, or toll ferries which are built, constructed, or established pursuant to this article.

The rate of toll fixed, regulated, modified, or changed shall be determined by the department after hearing has been had thereon and a written finding rendered. Findings rendered by the department are conclusive as to the facts recited therein.

The department may provide as a condition or limitation in any franchise granted pursuant to this article for the purchase or retaking of any toll bridge, toll road, or toll ferry constructed or established by virtue of a franchise issued pursuant to this article, upon such terms and conditions as are determined by the department at the time of the execution of the franchise. The conditions and limitations upon which any franchise is granted shall be set forth in full in the instrument executed evidencing the granting of the franchise.

Every person operating any toll road, toll bridge, or toll ferry within the State under any franchise granted pursuant to this article shall keep an accurate account showing the following:
  (a) The cost of construction thereof and the amount expended in keeping such toll road, toll bridge, or toll ferry in repair.
  (b) The cost for operation and maintenance thereof.
  (c) A record of the true financial condition of such person. On or before March 15th of each year, he shall file with the department a statement for the preceding calendar year setting forth such information, verified by himself, or if a firm, association, or corporation by some member or officer thereof having knowledge of the facts.

The department shall prescribe:
  (a) A uniform system of accounts for all such toll roads, toll bridges, and toll ferries:
  (b) The manner in which the account of costs of construction, repair, operation, and maintenance thereof and the annual statement of expenditures and revenues shall be kept.
  (c) The forms of the statements required by this article.

The department may make orders and prescribe rules and regulations with respect to toll roads, and toll bridges, or toll ferries in conformity with this article.

All money received from any franchise granted by the department pursuant to this article shall be deposited in the State Highway Account.

The enforcement and administration of this article is declared to be a part of the highway program of the state, and all necessary expenditures of the department therefor are payable out of the State Highway Account.

Private entities shall reimburse the Department of the California Highway Patrol for the actual costs incurred by that department for traffic enforcement services rendered pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 23251 of the Vehicle Code on toll highways which are publicly owned and privately operated. All funds collected by the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account in the State Transportation Fund.

The board of supervisors shall not grant franchises and licenses for the construction, taking, and keeping of tolls on roads, bridges, and ferries in its county.

This article does not apply to any of the following:
  (a) Any person who on August 14, 1929, held a franchise for a toll bridge or toll road or operated a toll bridge or toll road under such a franchise, or to any toll road or toll bridge franchise existing on that date.
  (b) Any person who on August 21, 1933, held a franchise for a toll ferry or operated a toll ferry under such a franchise, or to any toll ferry franchise existing on that date.
  (c) Any toll ferry operated or to be operated by a municipality.

This article does not prevent the State, or any city, county, incorporated bridge and highway district, or joint highway district from acquiring or constructing toll roads, toll bridges, and toll ferries under the restrictions imposed by any law authorizing the construction, acquisition, or condemnation of toll roads, or toll bridges through the use of revenue bonds.

This article does not conflict in any manner with any law authorizing the construction, acquisition, or condemnation of toll roads or toll bridges through the use of revenue bonds.

(a) No toll shall be imposed on the passage of a pedestrian or bicycle over any bridge that is part of the state highway system, on which the travel of pedestrians and bicycles is otherwise authorized, and on which tolls are imposed on the passage of motor vehicles, including any bridge constructed pursuant to a franchise granted under this article.
  (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date.