Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JUNE 19, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE response to Motion 36 to report back in 90 days on Regional Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance.
Issue
ISSUE
In October 2017 the Board approved Motion 36 directing staff to explore and implement a markedly expanded role for Metro as a leader in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) in Los Angeles County, including implementing a regional Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance. On March 20, 2019 staff presented an update to members of the Planning Committee. In the Next Steps of that update, staff committed to providing a report back on the progress of the Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance in 90 days. This Board Report represents that update.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Regional Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance:
In August 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB2548 into law, authorizing Metro to write and implement a Countywide Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance. Currently, employers may voluntarily allow their employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for vanpool and transit costs each month, up to the maximum allowed by Federal law (currently $265 per month for 2019). This ordinance would make the pre-tax option a requirement for all employers with 50-249 employees at a single worksite in Los Angeles County.
Per AB2548, any Commuter Tax Benefit Ordinance Metro writes or implements must include the following:
* How Metro will inform covered employers about the ordinance
* How compliance will be demonstrated
* The procedures for proposing, and the criteria that will be used to evaluate an alternative commuter benefit program
* Any consequences for noncompliance
If an ordinance is adopted, the State requires Metro to submit a report no later than January 1, 2022 that includes the following:
* A description of the program, including how the authority informed covered e...
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