Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 20, 2020
Subject
SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL REPORT
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE State and Federal Legislative Report.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Executive Management Committee
Remarks Prepared By Raffi Haig Hamparian
Government Relations Senior Director, Federal Affairs
Chair Butts and members of the Executive Management Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on several federal matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on February 7, 2020 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on February 20, 2020. Status of relevant pending legislation is monitored on the Metro Government Relations Legislative Matrix <http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DB_Attachments/200211_February_Legislative_Matrix.pdf>, which is updated monthly.
Fiscal Year 2021 Spending Bill
This month, the President’s budget recommendation will be sent to Congress for their consideration in the Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Bills. The President highlighted his transportation priorities in the State of the Union Address to Congress and will formally outline them in his Fiscal Year 2021 Budget that will be presented to Congress next week. Congressional Appropriation Sub-Committees will then begin the process of scheduling hearings and developing bills to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year - September 30, 2020. Similar to last year, the Appropriations process will be guided in part by a top line budget agreement that sets funding levels for defense and non-defense spending. Having this agreement should help to move Appropriations bills through Committee.
Metro staff will continue to play an active role in the development of Appropriations bills and work to include funding for Metro priorities.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization
The FAST Act - the current surface transportation authorization bill which establishes policy and recommends funding limits for various programs - is set to expire on September 30, 2020. It is important for transportation agencies to have a long-term replacement to the FAST Act implemented and to avoid short-term extensions. Due to the complexity and lengthy time period that is required for planning and building transportation infrastructure, short-term extensions result in uncertainty and therefore an inability to make critical decisions necessary to complete project planning. For these reasons, Metro will continue to be a leading voice in advocating for Congress to reauthorize transportation programs before they expire.
In terms of progress made on Capitol Hill, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - one of 4 Committees in the Senate that has jurisdiction over a surface transportation bill - has marked up and approved a five-year reauthorization bill that covers primarily highway programs. No other Senate Committees have taken action on their sections of a reauthorization bill to date. In the House, leaders of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have said they are currently drafting a “transformational” surface transportation bill that is expected to be presented publicly in the coming months. Whether the draft bill receives any further action in the House is still to be determined.
Metro staff will continue to keep the Board updated on progress of any developments that relate to the surface transportation authorization.
Local Hire Pilot Program
Earlier this year, the Board adopted a support position for the Build Local, Hire Local Act - introduced by Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that would permit local hiring practices on federally funded transportation projects.
We remain committed to working with Congress to reform current local hire prohibitions set by the Federal Government.
Conclusion
Chair Butts - I look forward to expanding on this report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that may occur over the next several weeks.
Executive Management Committee
State Remarks Prepared by Michael Turner
Deputy Executive Officer, Government Relations
Chair Butts and members of the Executive Management Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on a number of state matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on February 7, 2020 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on February 20, 2020. Status of relevant pending legislation is monitored on the Metro Government Relations Legislative Matrix <http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DB_Attachments/200211_February_Legislative_Matrix.pdf>, which is updated monthly.
California State Legislative Process Update
The California State Legislature reconvened on January 6, 2020 for the second year of the two-year legislative session. February 21, is the deadline for bills to be introduced. Staff expects that over 1,000 bills will be introduced by the February introduction deadline. Staff continues to review all bills daily that are introduced during the Legislative Session for impacts to the agency. Our process includes reviewing all introduced bills, identifying potential impacts to the agency, working with agency staff to review proposals and then bringing bills to the Board for consideration of a position.
State Discretionary Grant Updates
Project applications for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program are due on January 16, 2020 with awards planned in April 2020. Metro submitted three applications totaling over $275 million for consideration to fund the purchase of zero emission buses and charging infrastructure, Metrolink capital improvements and Green Line/Crenshaw Line light rail capacity improvements. Staff will keep the Board apprised on the State funding opportunities as they become available to support Metro’s aggressive 28 by 2028 and Measure M goals.
California Transportation Commission Update
Hilary Norton of Los Angeles was elected Vice Chair of the California Transportation Commission. Paul Van Konynenburg was elected as Chair. At the same meeting, it was announced that Mitch Weiss, currently the CTC’s Chief Deputy Director, was assuming the role as the new Executive Director, following the retirement of current CTC Executive Director Susan Bransen. The CTC then met to consider a number of items, including over $25 million in Active Transportation Funding for LA County and SB 1 Discretionary Guideline updates.
Joseph Lyou, who is currently the President and CEO of Coalition for Clean Air, was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to the California Transportation Commission. Metro staff looks forward to establishing a positive working relationship with the new appointee.
Regional Transportation Hearing
Assemblymember and chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions, Chris Holden (41st District) hosted a hearing in San Bernardino County titled “A Connected California for All: The Future of Sustainable Transportation”. Panelists included SCAG, SBCTA and LA Metro. Government Relations staff presented on Metro’s Zero Emissions Bus Program and discussed how Metro is leveraging SB 1 funding to meet Measure M goals. Presentations centered around regional efforts on student transit pass programs, TOD, active transportation, and Ontario rail-to-airport connectivity.
High Speed Rail Authority Appointment
Martha Escutia, a former State Senator and Assemblymember and current Vice President of Government Relations at the University of Southern California, was appointed to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Metro staff looks forward to establishing a positive working relationship with the new appointee.
Conclusion
Staff will expand on this report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur over the next several weeks.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Michael Turner, DEO, Government Relations, (213) 922-2122
Raffi Hamparian, Senior Director, Government Relations, (213) 922-3769
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Yvette Rapose, Chief Communications Officer, (213) 922-3777
