CA AB659

Establishes the California Smart City Challenge Grant Program to provide grant funding to municipalities for emerging transportation technologies that address their transportation system needs.

Requires the California Transportation Commission to form the California Smart City Challenge Workgroup by July 1, 2020, including representatives from local governments, transit organizations, labor unions, and the University of California's Institute of Transportation Studies.

Directs the commission to develop program guidelines by March 1, 2021, in consultation with the workgroup, specifying project selection criteria and eligible project types that serve goals including congestion reduction, safety, environmental protection, mobility enhancement, and community connectivity.

Makes the program contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act not to exceed $10,000,000, with funding to come from Proposition 1B.

Exempts the program guidelines from the Administrative Procedure Act requirements and allows the commission to revise guidelines as necessary after holding at least two public hearings.