Governor signs Wolk bill to consolidate, relocate CHP headquarters

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

SACRAMENTO–Late yesterday the Governor signed into law legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to allow the California Highway Patrol to move its headquarters and four administrative offices to a more cost-efficient location 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 ’s city limits. Assembly Bill 443 enables the CHP, the bill’s sponsor, to move its headquarters and other administrative offices to a location within 20 miles of Sacramento .

“AB 443 makes it possible for the CHP to consolidate is offices and eliminate needless duplication of time and resources, something they were unable to accomplish within Sacramento ’s city limits due to high property costs and a lack of space,” said Wolk. “Consolidating will not only result in cost savings, but will improve efficiency and coordination, as well as response time during emergencies. I thank the Governor for signing this bill, which received bipartisan support throughout both the Assembly and the Senate.”

In 2005, a study conducted by the Department of General Services’ Real Estate Services Division identified that the most cost-effective option for consolidation would be to relocate the CHP Headquarters to a facility in West Sacramento .

“I'd like to thank the Governor for signing this bill and I want to commend Assemblywoman Wolk for her determination in making reality, at last, the CHP’s goal of streamlining its headquarters operations in one location,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. “We look forward to exploring the options opened up by this legislation, and to finding the best possible site to consolidate our headquarters to provide the most effective and efficient service to the public.”