CA SB1238

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to conduct a study assessing the feasibility, cost effectiveness, and life-cycle environmental benefits of using recycled plastics in asphalt for highway and road construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation.

Authorizes the department to establish specifications for recycled plastics in asphalt paving materials if the study determines the use is feasible, cost effective, and provides environmental benefits.

Requires the department to submit annual analyses to the Assembly Committee on Transportation and Senate Committee on Transportation beginning January 1, 2022, documenting progress on the recycled plastics study and specification development.

Requires local agencies with jurisdiction over streets and highways to either adopt the department's recycled plastics specifications or publicly discuss at a hearing why they are not being adopted.

Provides that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes costs on local agencies, reimbursement shall be made pursuant to existing statutory procedures.