TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
BRIEFING 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
In late September, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that funds the federal government through November 17, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. The CR maintains the previously appropriated year’s level of funding for federal programs for 45 days, giving lawmakers more time to reach an agreement on next year’s spending bills. Doing so is complicated, however, by the fact that the House has yet to appoint a new Speaker after Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy from his post. At the time this report was submitted the House had yet to elect a new speaker. Until a new speaker is chosen, the House is unable to conduct votes on legislation, including next year’s spending bills.
Governor Newsom appointed Ms. Laphonza Butler to fill Senator Diane Feinstein’s seat following her death on September 29. Butler most recently served as president of EMILYs List, an organization that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. Senator Butler will serve on the Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over transit policy activities, and on the Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over transit security issues. Senator Feinstein’s seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee is transitioning to Senator Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona. Senator Butler’s appointment ends in January 2025, when the late Senator Feinstein’s term in elected office would have ended. Senator Butler has stated that she will not run for a full term.
State Update
The 2023 state legislative session ended on September 14th and the Governor had until October 14th to act on all bills on his desk. Attachment 3 includes a final summary of legislative outcomes relevant to the District. The Legislature is now on pause until January 3rd.
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:
There were no alternatives 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:
Federal Update
State Update
State Matrix of Board Adopted Items
2023 Federal Advocacy Program
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