Agency legislative analyst Gus Khouri will present an update on State legislative activities, while Agency legislative analyst Paul Schlesinger will present an update on federal legislative activities.
Attachment 1 is an updated draft state bill list, reflecting the positions adopted by the TAMC Board on March 23. Any changes to the list since that meeting are indicated with cross-out and underline. Staff is recommending two new positions:
- Assembly Bill 1919 (Holden): "Youth transit pass pilot program: free youth transit passes: eligibility for State funding" would require transit agencies to offer free passes to anyone 25 years of age or younger. MST recommends an "oppose" position on this bill.
- Senate Bill 1175 (McGuire): "Department of Transportation: intermodal passenger services: rail corridor" would enable Caltrans to help the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) to expand their corridor. Although not directly relevant to TAMC, the Agency is part of the larger rail mega-region and staff recommends the Agency support our partner agency in this effort.
Attachment 2 is a news release from Governor Newsom announcing an $11 billion relief package that includes $9 billion in direct payments based on car ownership, $2 billion in relief for free public transportation, and $500 million to support active transportation projects.
President Joe Biden released his Fiscal Year 2023 President’s Budget request on Friday March 28, which requests $142 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), including $21.1 billion for the Federal Transit Administration and $17.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration. Online as a web attachment is the USDOT budget highlights summary.
Staff and consultants will present verbal updates at the meeting.