STATE LEGISLATION SUMMARY: 2003

STPP California is tracking many bills in the 2003 legislative session in Sacramento that aim to promote transportation choices, provide new funding for smarter transportation programs, and strengthen the connection between transportation policy, land use, public health and social justice. Full text of all bills is available at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

SCA11 (Alarcón): Lower vote threshold for smart growth sales taxes. An STPP-sponsored measure to reduce local voting thresholds from two-thirds to 55 percent if substantial portions of funding are dedicated to affordable housing, open space, and community-based transportation and infrastructure improvements. Click here to read the fact sheet.

ACA14 (Steinberg): Lower vote threshold for smart growth sales taxes that also authorizes regional agencies to levy new financing mechanisms. An STPP-sponsored measure to reduce local voting thresholds from two-thirds to 55 percent if substantial portions of funding are dedicated to affordable housing, open space, and community-based transportation and infrastructure improvements. Click here to read the fact sheet.

AB531 (Kehoe): $10 billion state infrastructure bond targeted to neighborhoods and community-oriented infrastructure. Due to state budget crisis bill will likely not move in 2003, but is important part of smart growth financing effort.

SB321 (Torlakson): $15 billion infrastructure bond for local governments. Due to state budget crisis bill will likely not move in 2003.

AB560 (Goldberg): would phase out the use of the Concept 6 multi-track year-round educational calendar. By reducing the school year from the traditional 180 days to 163 days, Concept 6 enables school districts to increase student enrollment at existing schools and avoid having to build new schools. Sponsored by MALDEF.

AB1244 (Chu): would allow school districts to apply for modernization grants every 15 years for existing schools. It would overturn a current law that permits only one modernization for schools that are 25 years or older. Sponsored by MALDEF.

AB1268 (Wiggins): A bill sponsored by both the Sierra Club and the Mexican Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). While reduced to intent language, the legislation gets further than most in attempting to promote urban growth boundaries while promoting more affordable housing within the line. Click here to read a fact sheet on the original bill.

SB916 (Perata): In an era when just about everyone is scared to raise the notion of raising transportation "user fees," State Senator Don Perata from Oakland has proposed a dollar bridge toll increase on seven state-owned Bay Area bridges with proceeds dedicated towards transit and congestion relief projects in the bridge corridors themselves. Click here to read more about this ambitious proposal (redirecting you to the Transportation and Land Use Coalition website in the Bay Area).