Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 19, 2017
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 Garcetti and members of the Executive Management Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on a number of federal matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on October 3, 2017 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on October 3, 2017. Status of relevant pending Federal legislation is monitored on the Metro Government Relations Legislative Matrix, which is updated monthly.
Trump Infrastructure Plan
Metro has continued our engagement with the Trump Administration with respect to an infrastructure plan to enhance our nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems. Administration Officials have most recently stated that they believe Congress will move to the infrastructure package after tax reform. Our agency has put forward the I3 proposal, which seeks to leverage federal investments, assure long-term performance of all new capital improvements and which would update procurement policies and project delivery approaches. We look forward to continuing our work with the White House, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Capitol Hill on any future infrastructure package.
Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2018
Congress approved a Continuing Resolution to fund the Government at Fiscal Year 2017 levels through December 8, 2017. We are working very closely with leaders in both the House and Senate to ensure that any final transportation appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2018 reflects our Board-approved Federal Legislative priorities.
Federal Grants for Fiscal Year 2017/2018
Metro is actively engaged in the process of applying for a number of major grants this year - including an INFRA grant, TIGER Grant, and a Bus and Bus Facilities grant. We will - as we always do - engage a broad array of stakeholders to ensure that our grant applications have the best opportunity of being approved by the USDOT.
Local Hire Pilot Program
As previously reported to the Board, the Administration has commented that it will end the Local Hire Pilot Program. Metro CEO Phil Washington is continuing discussions with USDOT leadership and staff to urge the continuance of the program.
Federal Aviation Administration Fuel Tax Rulemaking
Congress recently approved a six-month extension for the FAA Authorization bill which will push the debate on this issue into next year.
Conclusion
Chair Garcetti - I look forward to expanding on this report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur over the next several weeks.
Executive Management Committee
Remarks Prepared By Michael Turner
Deputy Executive Officer, Government Relations
Chair Garcetti 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 October 3, 2017 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on October 19, 2017. Status of relevant pending State legislation is monitored on the Metro Government Relations Legislative Matrix <http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DB_Attachments/Board%20Report%20Links/0468/July%202017%20Legislative%20Matrix.pdf>, which is updated monthly.
California State Legislative Process Update
The State Legislature is currently on recess. The Governor must sign or veto any legislation that was approved during the first year of the 2017-18 Session by the October 15, 2017 deadline. In 2017, 817 Bills were introduced in the Senate and 1,733 bills were introduced in the Assembly. By the September 15th passage deadline, 303 Senate bills failed passage on the Senate Floor and 763 Assembly bills failed passage on the Assembly Floor. Those bills that failed passage can be considered as 2-year measures which may be considered in January 2018. The Legislature is set to reconvene on January 3, 2018.
State Legislative Updates
AB 468 (Santiago) - The California State Assembly approved Metro’s Sponsored legislation, Assembly Bill 468 (Santiago), which would authorize Metro to issue prohibition orders. The bill was signed into law on Friday, September 1, 2017. This important legislation will be a tool that Metro will use to combat assaults on operators and ensure safety on Metro’s system. Metro’s System Security and Safety team have implemented a number of measures to enhance patron and bus operator safety, including improved technology on buses and trains, public awareness and strategic approach to law enforcement and safety, system-wide. Staff will keep the Board apprised of AB 468 (Santiago) and the impending action by the Governor.
AB 17 (Holden) - This bill creates a pilot for a low-income student transit pass program. Specifically, the pilot program will allow school districts and colleges to apply for a transit pass grant (administered by Caltrans) and work with local transit agencies to offer additional discounted/free passes to low-income students. Metro’s Board adopted a Support position on this measure. The bill was approved in the Assembly and is now awaiting Governor’s action.
AB 1069 (Low) - This legislation aims to reduce the burden of regulation for taxicab companies and drivers. The bill saw several versions of amendments; the final version of the bill contains provisions that aim to streamline taxicab regulation while allowing municipalities to maintain their regulatory authority. It does authorize transit agencies, by a vote of the Board of Directors to form a Joint Powers Authority with municipalities to assist in regulation of the taxicabs within a certain county. Metro’s Board adopted an Oppose position to the legislation. The bill now awaits Governor’s action.
State’s Cap-and-Trade Legislation Signed into Law
The Senate and Assembly approved a package of legislation aimed at allocating $1.5 billion in cap-and-trade funding and reforming the clean-air strategies and CARB regulatory authority. AB 617 (C. Garcia), a measure that outlined a number of regulatory reforms and community-based strategies for greenhouse gas reduction was signed into law. AB 134 (Committee on Budget) outlined a spending plan that outlines funding programs under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for 2017. AB 109(Ting)/SB 93 (Budget and Fiscal Review Committee) are companion bills to AB 134. The legislation was signed into law on September 16, 2017.
Under the provisions, $180 million will be allocated for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission (ZE) Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program, of which, at least $35 million is allocated for ZE buses. This is an existing program that had a funding source that was previously overdrawn; Metro would be eligible for funding under this program. $5 million will be allocated for technical assistance for environmental justice communities. $284 million is projected for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. $213 million is projected for transit capital and operations. $10 million will be allocated for the Transformative Climate Communities program for investments in disadvantaged communities.
Conclusion
We will expand on this brief report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur in the days ahead.
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: Pauletta Tonilas, Chief Communications Officer, (213) 922-3777
