Governor Signs Tristin’s Bill, Strengthening Local Voice in Highway 74 Safety Efforts

LA QUINTA - Assembly Bill 1145 (AB 1145), also known as Tristin’s Bill, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, strengthening transparency and accountability when local governments propose traffic safety regulations affecting state highways. The legislation is particularly relevant to ongoing efforts to improve safety along Highway 74 in Riverside County.

Tristin’s Bill is named in memory of Tristin Samuel Bourgeois, 27, who was killed in October 2024 when an overweight commercial truck traveling on Highway 74 collided with his vehicle near Vista Point in Palm Desert.

Authored by Assemblymembers Jeff Gonzalez and Greg Wallis, AB 1145 evolved during the legislative process as local and state officials continued examining ways to improve safety along Highway 74. The final legislation requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), when reviewing locally proposed traffic regulations affecting state highways, to consider the costs of the proposal compared with possible alternatives and provide written reasons and justification when rejecting a local proposal.

The legislation complements Riverside County’s ongoing efforts to address safety concerns along Highway 74. In March 2026, the Riverside County Transportation Department initiated a study examining potential safety improvements along the corridor connecting the Coachella Valley floor with the mountain communities. The study found that the collision rate on Highway 74 south of Palm Desert was 125 percent higher than on comparable rural two-lane county highways.

Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez championed the County’s study in response to longstanding safety concerns raised by residents and has continued working with local and state partners to identify potential improvements along the corridor.

“This is a very important issue. We are talking about life and death,” said Supervisor Perez. “For me, this is also personal. My brother was in an accident as well, but fortunately for our family, he survived. Nonetheless, the trauma from that accident had a major impact on our entire family. That is why my heart goes out to the Bourgeois family, and it’s time we address Highway 74.”