CA AB2796

Establishes that the Active Transportation Program must employ a comprehensive approach including infrastructure improvements and behavioral change strategies, incorporating the "5 E's": Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation.

Requires a minimum of 10 percent of all Active Transportation Program funds be programmed for planning and noninfrastructure activities, with at least 50 percent of that amount designated for developing comprehensive active transportation master plans, effective for program cycles adopted on or after January 1, 2018.

Mandates that guidelines ensure at least 25 percent of overall program funds benefit disadvantaged communities during each program cycle, with projects clearly demonstrating benefits to or being directly located in disadvantaged communities.

Authorizes implementing agencies to expend their own funds in advance of commission allocation and seek reimbursement through either a letter of no prejudice (for future-year projects) or by notifying the commission of intent to advance-fund (for current-year projects).

Expands eligible project types to include noninfrastructure activities such as public awareness campaigns, traffic education and enforcement, safety training, and volunteer funding for walking and bicycling encouragement programs.