SACRAMENTO – As 2020 comes to a close, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to highlight some new roadway safety laws that take effect in 2021. License points for distracted driving (AB 47, Daly; 2019): Using a cell phone in a handheld manner while driving is currently punishable by a fine. Beginning July 1, 2021, violating the hands-free law for ...

SACRAMENTO – With California advising residents to stay home as much as possible, avoid gatherings and not travel significant distances to reverse the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, New Year’s Eve 2020 may look noticeably different than years past. One thing that will look familiar: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be out removing impaired drivers from the road and ...

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today announced the availability of nearly $27 million in grant funds to help local communities combat impaired driving. The funding is the result of Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which provided specified cannabis tax funding to the CHP to administer local grants for education, prevention, and ...

SACRAMENTO – The Keep California Working Act garnered more momentum in the Legislature with new co-authors announcing their support for the bill within the last week. With the new additions, a total of thirty-seven legislators are now supporting the measure. This milestone signifies an opportunity for the Legislature to work together on small business relief efforts. The Keep California Working ...

SACRAMENTO – As Californians prepare for the Christmas holiday during the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone the rules of safe driving are just as critical as ever.  Although traffic may be lighter this holiday season, it is not an invitation to speed.  The rules of the road still apply, and motorists should avoid driving tired, impaired, ...

SACRAMENTO – Individuals and households with losses due to the wildfires in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, Napa, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Siskiyou and Sonoma counties have just five days left to register for federal aid. These counties are included in federal Disaster 4569, declared initially Oct. 16 for seven counties and expanded later. The deadline is Dec. 16 ...

SACRAMENTO – California Health Officials have issued a regional stay at home order for the San Joaquin Valley region due to ICU capacity dropping below 15%. The San Joaquin Valley region includes Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties. The San Joaquin Valley region stay at home order will take effect ...

SACRAMENTO – Dec. 3, 2020 – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the University of California, Berkeley, Center for Fire Research and Outreach have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize an agreement to partner on research related to critical forest and fire issues. Highlighted by the recent large and damaging wildfires plaguing the state, the program ...

SACRAMENTO – Survivors of the 2020 California wildfires who have wildfire-caused damage to their privately owned bridge or access road may be eligible for financial assistance from FEMA under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). The assistance is intended to restore access to a primary residence. The following conditions must be met to be eligible for Home Repair Assistance awards ...

SACRAMENTO – As Californians plan for the Thanksgiving holiday during the ongoing pandemic, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone the rules of driving safety are just as crucial as ever. To encourage safe travel, the CHP will enact a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November ...