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 and approving legislative positions.
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
On March 8, the Senate passed the House-approved, six-bill "minibus" that provides $460 billion in funding through the end of fiscal year 2024 for the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), Justice, Commerce and Energy. At the time this report was submitted, the President was expected to sign the bill, thus averting a partial government shutdown.
Overall, the bill includes $106.4 billion for the Department of Transportation, a slight increase above FY 2023 levels. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will receive $20.9 billion, 2 percent less than FY 2023. The total funding approved represents 96 percent of the amount authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) / Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA).
Included in the THUD portion of the bill was $2.65 million in "earmark" funding that will support two key District priori...
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