SB 63, Which Allows for a Bay Area Transit Ballot Measure, Clears Last Hurdle Before Final Vote - Streetsblog California

"Late Sunday night, negotiations between Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the legislation's author, wrapped up over details in Senate Bill 63. The bill would authorize Bay Area transit agencies to place a measure on next year's ballot to address long-term funding shortfalls. The completed negotiations led to a special meeting of the Assembly Transportation Committee earlier today, where SB 63 received final passage on an 11-5 vote before heading to the full Assembly floor.***"

"Before going further, Streetsblog should note that the passage of SB 63 does not affect the short-term transit funding crisis that advocates and agencies believed had been resolved in last year's budget deal. However, negotiations between agencies, the Legislature, and the Governor's office have dragged on, and it now appears that the appropriation will not be completed before the Legislature adjourns. This could lead to massive service disruptions, even if the negotiations conclude shortly after the session resumes in January."

"Senate Bill 63 is designed to take effect after the one-time funding for the short-term crisis expires. Bay Area transit agencies are more reliant on farebox recovery than most other agencies in the state. With ridership still below pre-pandemic levels and federal subsidies set to expire, SB 63 would fill that gap starting in 2027-assuming the measure is approved by voters."

Negotiations between Lori Wilson and Senator Scott Wiener resolved details in SB 63 and produced final Assembly Transportation Committee passage on an 11-5 vote. Passage of SB 63 does not address the immediate short-term transit funding crisis tied to last year's budget deal, and the appropriation for that crisis may not be completed before the Legislature adjourns, risking service disruptions. SB 63 would take effect after one-time short-term funding expires and would fill funding gaps starting in 2027 if voters approve. The bill requires MTC to hire a third-party consultant to recommend financial improvements for the four largest transit agencies and gives MTC tools to ensure those recommendations are followed.

Read at Streetsblog