TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the monthly legislative report.
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 policy maker 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 July 14, the Appropriations Committee approved on a 30-22 party-line vote the FY 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill. The bill provides $107.2 billion for DOT, an increase of $21.1 billion over current FY 2020 funding levels. Many of the surface transportation programs are funded at the levels included in H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, which passed the House before the July 4 recess on a party-line vote.
Summary of relevant sections:
Federal Highway Administration
• $62.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration.
• $61.9 billion, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, for programs funded from the Highway Trust Fund, an increase of $14.7 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level; and
• $1 billion for discretionary Highway Infrastructure Programs, a decrease of $1.2 billion below the FY 2020 enacted level.
Federal Transit Administration
• $18.9 billion for the Federal Transit Administration.
• $15.9 billion, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, for Transit Formula Grants funded from the Highway Trust Fund, an increase of $5.8 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level;
• $2.175 billion for Capital Investment Grants, equal to the authorized level, an increase of $197 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. Within this, the bill has the following breakdowns:
o $1.25 billion for New Starts
o $550 million for core capacity
o $300 million for Small Starts, and
o $100 million for the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot program.
o $510 million for Transit Infrastructure Grants, equal to the FY 2020 enacted level. Of that the following are in addition to formula grant funds:
o $374 million for competitive Bus and Bus Facilities grant program
o $125 million for competitive Low-No grant program
o $10 million for ferry boat grant program
In addition, to support the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the bill provides an additional $26 billion for the Department of Transportation programs to strengthen and make more resilient our nation’s aging infrastructure.
State Update
The California Transit Association has launched a new campaign titled “California Without Transit.” This campaign is designed to communicate to lawmakers and the public the immediate threat facing transit agencies statewide and the need to secure additional emergency funding to keep lifeline transit services running. The campaign calls for an additional $3.1 Billion in funding to support California Transit agencies. District staff remains engaged in CTA’s Transit Crisis Relief Taskforce.
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 20-011: 2020 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Federal Update from Van Scoyoc Associates
2. State Update from Platinum Advisors
3. 2020 Federal Legislative Program
4. 2020 State Legislative Program
Prepared by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations
Approved/Reviewed by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications