TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Salvador Llamas, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the Monthly Legislative Report and approving legislative positions.
Staff Contact:
Claudia Burgos, Executive Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The Monthly Legislative Report tracks state, regional, and federal legislation to ensure alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and its goal of maintaining strong public and policymaker support. Policy decisions at all levels can impact District operations and revenues, making ongoing monitoring and engagement essential.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Federal Update
District representatives will participate in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Annual Legislative Conference next month, where they will work to advance the policy priorities included in Att. 4, the 2026 Federal Advocacy Program. This includes advocating for discretionary funding, or “earmarks,” through the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process now underway. This year, the District is pursuing funding for the following projects:
1. $1,000,000 for Districtwide Security Enhancements. This includes upgrading all badge access systems, enhancing video monitoring, replacing obsolete hardware, and deploying a digital key management system.
2. $980,000 for a Districtwide Wireless Network Refresh. This investment will replace a decade-old, outdated patchwork of wireless equipment with a modern, reliable, and high-capacity system that meets current industry standards.
3. $2,100,000 for International Boulevard Quick Build, Phase 2. Building on earlier safety improvements, this funding will add centerline hardening, reflective channelizers, enhanced pavement markings, and clear signage where delays are common.
State Update
The deadline to introduce bills was February 20th. This year over 1,800 new bills were introduced, but nearly 600 of those are spot or intent bills that do not contain substantive language. In order to be referred to a committee for hearing all spot bills must be amended by mid-March. The number of new bills introduced is 550 fewer than prior years, or about 23% fewer bills - the lowest number of new bills in over 20 years.
Staff recommend the Board adopt the following legislative positions.
SUPPORT AB 1944 (Lee): Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight. AB 1944 would update the axle-weight rules for zero-emission buses (ZEBs) by delaying the dates when stricter weight limits take effect. This bill will give agencies more time and flexibility to buy ZEBs that currently weigh more than the legal limit. Doing so facilitates continued compliance with the California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation.
WATCH AB 1599 (Ahrens): Public transit: California Transit Stop Registry: transit datasets. AB 1599 directs Caltrans to create a statewide Transit Stop Registry with unique IDs for every stop, which all transit operators must include in their route information. A WATCH position is recommended to monitor potential unfunded mandates and operational risks related to the costs of updating physical signage and printed materials with new state identifiers. It is also unclear how changes in transit stop locations are handled, and how mistakes or differences between the Registry and the actual stop locations are fixed.
WATCH SB 1166 (Arreguín): Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District: employee relations. SB 1166 shifts responsibility for handling unfair labor practice complaints at AC Transit from the District’s internal process to the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). A WATCH position is recommended until the District can more fully understand the potential impacts, including costs, workload, and resolution times for labor disputes.
WATCH SB 1408 (Arreguín) Local Transportation Authority and Improvement Act: Contra Costa Transportation Authority. SB 1408 would allow the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to place a sales tax of up to 1% on the ballot and permit voters to propose their own sales tax measure through a citizen initiative. SB 1408 also grants CCTA sweeping new authority over transit, including control over coordinating all transit service in the county, declaring CCTA a transit district, and authorizing it to operate transit service directly. While the bill does not explicitly give CCTA access to State Transit Assistance operating funds, this new status could enable the agency to pursue STA revenue in the future. A WATCH position is recommended because the purpose behind CCTA’s request for such broad operational authority remains unclear.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
No alternatives were considered as this report provides an update of monthly legislative activities.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Monthly updates keep the Board informed of pending legislation and its potential impact on the District. The adoption of favorable legislation by policymakers helps further the District’s goal of having strong public and policymaker support.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report No. 25-411a: Adopted 2026 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Federal Update
2. State Update
3. Matrix of State Legislation
4. 2026 Federal Advocacy Program
5. 2026 State Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Steven C. Jones, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Executive Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Aimee L. Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer