TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Andrew M. Mize, Legislative & Policy Analyst
SUBJECT: California Senate Bill 1031 - Request for Support
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize the transmission of a position letter expressing support for California Senate Bill 1031, by Senators Scott Wiener and Aisha Wahab. (No Fiscal Impact)
[UNANIMOUS VOTE REQUIRED]
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BACKGROUND
California Senate Bill 1031 (SB 1031), is a legislative proposal regarding planning for potential consolidation of the Bay Area's 27 regional transit agencies into the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to provide transit riders a more seamless experience, permits MTC and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to propose a ballot measure that would require certain employers to purchase regional transit passes for its employees, and provides statutory authorization for MTC to propose ballot measures to fund infrastructure improvements.
The stated purpose of the bill is to achieve the Legislature's vision of a world-class, reliable, affordable, efficient, and connected transportation network through a public transit network that offers safe, clean, frequent, accessible, easy-to-navigate, and reliable service, well-maintained local roads, and safe, competitive, and convenient alternatives to driving.
The bill requires MTC to oversee the completion of an assessment by either the University of California, Berkeley Labor Center, or the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Center of the existing state of Bay Area public transit and challenges associated with any form of consolidation. The institute completing the study must report its findings to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.
The bill permits MTC and BAAQMD to jointly adopt a commute benefit ordinance, either directly or through a qualified voter initiative applicable to employers for which an average of fifty or more employees per week perform twen...
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