SCR 129

SCR129:v98#DOCUMENT

Bill Start

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Concurrent Resolution

No. 129

Relative to the Rusty Areias Highway.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 129, as amended, Cortese. Rusty Areias Highway.

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 152 in the County of Santa Clara as the Rusty Areias Highway. The measure would request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs.

Digest Key

Fiscal Committee: YES

Bill Text

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias was born on September 12, 1949, in Los Banos, California; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias graduated from the California State University, Chico, in 1973, and completed Executive Leadership Programs at the Harvard Kennedy School; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias devoted his life in public service to the people of California, including 12 years as a member of the California State Assembly representing the 25th and 28th districts from 1982 to 1994, inclusive, during which he chaired key committees, including the Committees on Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Earthquakes, Repair, and Response, and worked to strengthen the agricultural economy, preserve farmland, increase seismic safety standards, lower credit card interest rates, and stand up for consumer rights; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias also served on the Assembly Committee on Transportation and led the successful effort to secure funds for the improvement of State Highway Route 152 over the Pacheco Pass Road; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure in the Assembly, Rusty Areias had an innate ability of bringing people together to achieve bipartisan solutions, evident by the more than 100 pieces of legislation he authored that were signed into law by two different Republican governors; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias played a significant role in securing $150,000,000 for the improvement of State Highway Route 152 over the Pacheco Pass Road during his tenure in the Assembly, and he was instrumental in advocating for that highway’s enhancement, which was crucial for connecting the San Joaquin Valley to the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay and providing essential transportation services in the region; and

WHEREAS, Following his tenure in the Assembly, Rusty Areias was the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation from 1998 to 2001, inclusive, during which he enhanced public access to state parks by substantially reducing fees, which boosted state park attendance by approximately 23,000,000 visitors, oversaw the enactment of major park bonds totaling over $6,000,000,000 and fostered programs that enriched the lives of millions of Californians; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias was critical in securing state land for the Martial Cottle Park in the County of Santa Clara, which resulted in the donation of approximately 300 acres of farmland worth approximately $500,000,000 in 1999 to the state to be preserved in perpetuity as public parkland in the county, and that parkland continues to be improved and open to the public under operation of the county and state ownership; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias served as a member of the California Coastal Commission for four years, serving two as chair, exemplifying his skill in bringing reasoned and balanced solutions to complex environmental and coastal policy challenges; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias’s professional accomplishments are complemented by his leadership in managing Areias Dairy Farms, and achieving recognition of Outstanding Farmers of America, as well as his ongoing commitment to the community through service on boards such as the Children’s Law Center of California and the Public Policy Institute of California; and

WHEREAS, Rusty Areias’s life exemplifies the highest standards of public service, leadership, and civic responsibility and profound impacts on the communities he served; and

WHEREAS, Today, Rusty Areias co-owns coowns the Bird Ranch At San Luis Creek with his wife, Julie, which they purchased in 1997 and have worked to restore and honor its historical significance, and he is a proud father of two children; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 152 in the County of Santa Clara, from Cedar Creek BR# 37-30R/L, at postmile R28.163, to Sidehill Viaduct BR# 37-398, at postmile 31.656, as the Rusty Areias Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is hereby requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering this cost, to erect those signs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Director of Transportation, and the author for appropriate distribution.