TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Salvador Llamas, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Draft 2026 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on the Draft 2026 Federal and State Advocacy Programs.
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 annual state and federal advocacy programs help the District track regional, state, and federal policymaking 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, 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:
Every year, the AC Transit Board of Directors adopts advocacy programs to provide guidance for the District’s activities in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California on influencing transit legislation, appropriations, and administrative matters at the state and federal levels. The attached draft programs for 2026 address ongoing efforts as well as developing topics for the coming year. The Department of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations solicited input from District staff to develop the attached draft federal and state advocacy programs. The draft programs were presented to the General Manager’s Access Committee (GMAC) on September 9, 2025. Feedback was also solicited from external advocacy groups and the District’s public transit and funding partners. Staff’s recommended amendments to the 2026 programs aim to ensure these strategic documents provide the District maximum flexibility in pursuing its policy and funding goals.
Adoption of the 2026 Federal and State Advocacy Programs will be requested at the Board’s November 19, 2025 meeting.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Receiving this report provides the Board with an opportunity to preview and, if so desired, modify the recommended 2026 State and Federal Advocacy Programs prior to formally approving them. There are no disadvantages.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This report is provided based on the District’s current priorities and developing issues for the coming year.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 24-534a: 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft 2026 Federal Advocacy Program
2. Draft 2026 State Advocacy Program
3. 2025 Federal Advocacy Program
4. 2025 State Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Steven C. Jones, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Executive Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Aimee Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer