SoCal city asks Newsom to veto AB 98 that puts restrictions on warehouse locations and operations

Photo byThe HD Post

VICTORVILLE – Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra announced on September 11, that the city has joined with other California mayors and business leaders to urge Governor Newsom to veto Assembly Bill 98.

According to city leaders, AB 98 stifles business development, economic growth, and job creation while increasing traffic congestion and costs for Victorville as well as communities throughout the High Desert and California.

“AB 98 severely limits our job creation efforts, leading our residents to drive one to two hours to find employment in the Inland Empire and LA area,” said Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra.

Becerra goes on to say that not only do these long commutes negatively impact the quality of life for residents and their families, but long commutes also increase vehicle miles traveled and harm air quality.

The city says they have been focused on building a more balanced local economy by attracting manufacturing, warehousing, and aerospace jobs to the site of the former George Air Force Base now known as the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA).

“However, these efforts are harmed by AB 98,” reads a statement in the news release.

Balancing economic development with environmental concerns

The AB 98 legislation aims to reduce environmental and community impacts by setting guidelines for truck traffic routing. It considers factors like air quality, noise pollution, and safety.

Beginning on January 1, 2026, if the bill passes, local governments will be required to include truck route plans in their general plans for logistics-related projects. They say this is to ensure better management of heavy-duty vehicle traffic.

In addition, cities and counties must include buffer zones between warehouses and sensitive receptors – homes, hospitals, schools, daycares and parks in their general plans by January 1, 2026.

New logistics-related projects approved after this date must adhere to the buffer zone requirements.

Local governments must fully implement and enforce the law by January 1, 2030.

AB 98 hurts the community of Victorville

Mayor Becerra also voiced concerns that legislators did not allow the opportunity for public input for AB 98. She says the proposed law will cost Victorville hundreds of thousands of dollars to update the city’s traffic circulation plan.

In addition, the bill “…ignores millions of dollars the City already spent on new roadway improvements to reduce congestion, and paradoxically requires an additional investment in road improvements to alleviate the congestion caused by the bill,” reads a statement in the news release.

“AB 98 hurts the community of Victorville,” said Becerra.

The city says it’s not alone in its opposition to AB 98. California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and League of California Cities submitted a joint opposition letter to the Senate Local Government Committee on behalf of all 58 counties and 483 California cities.

Newsom has until September 30th to sign or veto the bill.

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