TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the Monthly Legislative Report.
Staff Contact:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The Monthly Legislative Report helps the District track state, regional and federal legislation to ensure alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and the specific goal of having strong public and policymaker support. Policy decisions at all levels of government can positively or negatively affect District operations and revenues and, as such, are important to track and influence as needed.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Federal Update
The Senate was on recess until September 4 and the House until September 12. When members reconvene they will be focused on reconciling their respective Appropriations bills that fund the federal government for the coming year.
On August 24 the District hosted Congressman John Garamendi at Division 3 in Richmond. The tour provided the opportunity to thank him for his support for public transit, and to share our funding needs and policy priorities. On August 29, staff met with Congressman Eric Swalwell’s legislative staff to update them on our services and priorities, as well.
State Update
September 1st was the deadline for the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees to act on all bills before them. Attachment 3 summarizes the status of legislation that the Board has adopted positions on. Notably, Senate Bill (SB) 532, the bill by Senator Scott Wiener that proposed raising tolls on the Bay Bridge by $1.50 for five years to help fund transit, has been paused until next year. Sen. Wiener will convene a working group this fall to determine the path forward. Staff will remain engaged on this issue.
The last day of session is September 14th. The Governor has until October 14th to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature.
District staff are actively involved in shaping the process of how transit funding approved in the FY 23-24 state budget will be allocated. SB 125 directed CalSTA, the State Transportation Agency, to develop guidelines for how $3.995 billion in Transit & Intercity Rail Capital Funds (TIRCP) funds will be allocated over the next two fiscal years, and how $1.1 billion in the new Zero Emission Transit Capital Program (ZETCP) would be allocated over the next four fiscal years. SB 125’s complicated process for drawing down funds will require close coordination between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area transit operators. MTC is required to submit an initial allocation package to CalSTA by December 31st, that allocation package would go to the MTC Commission first. Funding from the state to MTC would be allocated no later than April 30, 2024. AB 125 also requires CalSTA to establish and convene the Transit Transformation Task Force on or before January 1, 2024 - no details on the taskforce have been released by CalSTA.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
This report is provided to inform the Board of monthly legislative activities. Ensuring favorable legislation is adopted by policymakers helps further the District’s goal of having strong public and policymaker support.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
No alternatives were considered as this report provides an update of monthly legislative activities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report No. 22-466a: 2023 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Att. 1 - Federal Update
2. Att. 2 - State Update
3. Att. 3 - State Report
4. Att. 4 - 2023 Federal Advocacy Program
5. Att. 5 - 2023 State Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Steven C. Jones, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications