Wolk legislation authorizes CHP to make cost-effective move to Yolo County

Bill to consolidate, relocate CHP headquarters gets unanimous approval

SACRAMENTO–The Senate Governmental Organization Committee voted unanimously today to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) authorizing the California Highway Patrol to relocate its headquarters and other administrative offices to consider sites in Yolo County.

Under current law, established in 1959 to keep CHP headquarters close to the state capitol, the CHP is unable to move its headquarters outside Sacramento city limits. Assembly Bill 443 would allow the CHP, the bill’s sponsor, to move its headquarters and four other administrative offices to a location in the vicinity of Sacramento .

“Over the years the department has grown, but budgetary and space constraints have not allowed for expansion of a centralized facility,” said Wolk. “My legislation will help the CHP to streamline its operation by eliminating a five-fold duplication of time and resources.”

The search for a site within Sacramento city limits has been stymied by high property costs and low availability to the extent that, if forced to remain within the city limits, the department would be unable to entirely consolidate its operations, according to CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. 

“AB 443 will allow the CHP, for the first time in 25 years, to consolidate the location of our administrative operations, increasing our efficiency, effectiveness, and our ability to better serve the public,” Brown said.