TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the monthly legislative report and approval of legislative positions.
Body
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Federal Legislation Update
On July 3, 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice that it was making available the full-year apportionments for its funding programs for FY 2019.
On July 10, 2019, the Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing entitled “America’s Surface Transportation Infrastructure: The Need for a Multi-Year Reauthorization Bill.” Witnesses included representatives from Wyoming Department of Transportation, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Georgetown Climate Center and University of Delaware. At the hearing, Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) stated his intent that the Committee markup the highway title of the next surface transportation bill in early August. He added that the bill should be paid for by users and it would be five-years in duration.
State Legislation Update
The state legislature is on summer recess through August 12th. On July 10, 2019, the Assembly Education Committee held a hearing on SB 328 (Portantino) School Bell Times where Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations, testified in opposition to the bill. With four votes, the bill made it out of committee and now heads to the Assembly appropriations committee after the summer recess.
SB 277 (Beall) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program: Guidelines. Staff recommends a support position. SB 277 would amend existing law to require 85% of SB 1 Local Partnership Program (LPP) funds to be allocated by formula, and 15% for a small county competitive program. Under current CTC guidelines half the LPP funds are allocated by formula and half are reserved for a competitive program.
Regional Updates
Contra Costa Transportation Expenditure Plan
On July 11, 2019, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority released its DRAFT expenditure plan. The measure, if passed in March of 2020, is expected to generate approximately $3 billion through a 30-year half-cent transportation sales tax. The DRAFT expenditure plan, which is expected to change, allocates 26.2% ($187M) of West County funds to “Increase Bus Service and Reliability in West Contra Costa” and 8% ($90M) to “Relieve Congestion and Improve Local Access along I-80 Corridor.” A one-page summary of the expenditure plan (as of July 11, 2019) is included as Attachment 6 to the staff report.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
This report is provided to inform the Board of monthly legislative activities.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There were no alternatives considered as this report provides an update of monthly legislative activities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 19-001a: 2019 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Federal Update from Van Scoyoc Associates
2. State Legislative Report from Platinum Advisors
3. State Legislative Bill Matrix
4. 2019 Federal Advocacy Program
5. 2019 Stated Advocacy Program
6. CCTA Transportation Expenditure Plan Draft 7/11/19
Approved by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Reviewed by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Prepared by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations