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
The U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) on Thursday, September 30. That vote has been delayed indefinitely as negotiations continue. If approved, the infrastructure package would provide $106.9 billion for public transit over five years and deliver at least $9.5 billion to California's transit agencies. However, the outcome of the vote remains uncertain as leaders of the House Congressional Progressive Caucus have stated that a majority of their 100-member caucus still plans to oppose passage of the infrastructure bill without a firm commitment on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation (aka, "human infrastructure" or "Build Back Better") bill.
The surface transportation programs (i.e., the FAST Act), which are included as part of the IIJA, expired on September 30. Fortunately, Congress was able to find common ground on this front and approved a 30-day extension.
At the time of writing there is no indication when the IIJA and reconciliation bills will be considered. It is also not known what the final amount of the reco...
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