Public Resources Code section 21099.5
(a)
On or before January 1, 2028, the Department of Housing and Community Development shall conduct and post on its internet website a study on how vehicle miles traveled is used as a metric for measuring transportation impacts of housing projects pursuant to this division.(b)
The Department of Housing and Community Development, in conducting the study, shall consult with local governments and other interested parties, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(1)
State agencies, such as the Transportation Agency, the State Air Resources Board, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Planning and Research.(2)
Local agencies, or organizations represented by member agencies, such as councils of government, metropolitan planning agencies, or regional transportation planning agencies, on a volunteer basis.(3)
Industry organizations, including those with specific expertise in analyzing traffic and housing impacts under this division, on a volunteer basis.(c)
The study shall include all of the following:(1)
An analysis of the implementation and outcomes of the guidelines described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 21099, as they pertain to housing projects.(2)
An analysis and comparison of how vehicle miles traveled impacts of mitigation measures are identified, measured, and deployed at the local, regional, and statewide level that shall include an exhaustive list of housing project types that are considered to increase capacity, induce vehicle miles traveled, or both. The analysis may include how the projected vehicle miles traveled is estimated for each mitigation strategy.(3)
A list of the cost of vehicle miles traveled mitigation measures to housing projects thus far, and an analysis of whether the cost of those measures either indefinitely delayed, temporarily delayed, or necessitated the phasing of those projects.(4)
(A)A list of housing project types, if any, that are exempted from analysis of vehicle miles traveled.(B)
The study may include an inventory of countywide regional vehicle miles traveled mitigation program framework studies that have been prepared for transportation or planning agencies, and summaries of the findings and conclusions of those studies.(5)
(A)An analysis of the differences in the availability and feasibility of mitigation measures to housing projects for vehicle miles traveled in rural, suburban, urban, and low vehicle miles traveled areas.(B)
The analysis shall include best strategies and planning changes to mitigate vehicle miles traveled in areas where public transportation or active transportation infrastructure is infeasible.(6)
A discussion of the relationship between vehicle miles traveled reduction, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, housing volume, housing affordability, transportation, economic development, public health, and equity.(d)
Implementation of this section is contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section in the annual Budget Act or another statute.(e)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
Source:
Section 21099.5, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC§ionNum=21099.5. (accessed May 9, 2025).