Trash-strewn alleyways or small side streets could be temporarily shut down to prevent further illegal dumping, under a bill headed to the governor’s desk.

Related Articles Mattress recycling program grows in Bay Area, but some areas left out If signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, the bill authored by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, would give local municipalities a tool to address the persistent dumping of trash and large unwanted items such as mattresses, sofas and other objects in public streets.

Under the bill, known as AB 332, which would apply statewide, local officials such as members of a city council or county board could submit motions requesting that certain streets be shut down for up to 18 months if there is a chronic illegal dumping problem on that road.

Local officials can already request alleys and side streets closures if there is “serious and continual criminal” activity, as long as it does not greatly affect traffic flow. The bill would add “serious and continual illegal dumping” as a reason for shutting down the street.

The bill cleared both the Assembly and the state Senate this week, according to Bocanegra’s office.

“Streets across the city are being flooded with mattresses, furniture, and many other discarded items,” Bocanegra said. “Illegal dumping is negatively affecting the quality of life in many of my communities, and AB 332 is a tool for cities to help combat this activity.”

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez called the advancement of the bill to the governor’s desk a “big win.”

The bill would directly benefit her district, where streets “have been magnets for illegal dumping operations, and without the authority to close the streets, it’ll continue to be a problem for our neighborhoods,” Martinez said.

Bocanegra’s office also worked with the Los Angeles City attorney on the bill, a legislative aide said.