Legislative Advocacy

BART’s federal and state advocacy efforts are guided by annual goals adopted by the Board of Directors. The goals reflect BART’s legislative priorities and provide guidance for the District's activities in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.

2024 Federal Goals

• Support Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) appropriations levels consistent with those authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
• Advocate for FY25 transit and passenger rail funding consistent with IIJA levels.
• Seek an increase to transit formula grant programs to support BART’s state of good repair.
• Ensure that BART’s two Community Project Funding requests (earmarks) are included in a final FY24 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill and submit earmark requests to members of the House and Senate for inclusion in the FY25 THUD appropriations bill.
• Update Congressional delegation and Administration on progress made within the Transbay Corridor Core Capacity Program. 
• Educate Congressional delegation and Administration on BART’s responsible stewardship of federal COVID relief as well as new accountability requirements for state operating assistance and provide updates on enabling legislation for a 2026 regional transportation revenue measure.
• Pursue capital funding within IIJA-funded programs and explore grant opportunities within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for sustainability and resiliency projects.
• Educate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and members on transit issues related to extreme heat to better align the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
• Advocate for broadening the scope of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) to allow for elevator renovation and modernization.
• Work with the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Build America Bureau to clarify that transit systems connected to railroads are eligible for Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) credit assistance.
• Support federal grant applications and funding opportunities for the Link21 Program with a focus on project development, equity, and environmental clearance of a new transbay rail crossing. 
• Educate Congressional delegation and Administration on activities within the Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau and pursue funding that aligns with BART's safety and security priorities including Next Generation Fare Gates.
• Monitor the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and support efforts to ensure federal funding continues to flow to California transit agencies.

2024 State Goals

• Engage in the crafting and passage of enabling legislation for a regional transportation revenue measure in November 2026 and seek opportunities for short-term gap funding as a bridge to long-term sustainable revenue.
• Educate lawmakers on BART’s planned use of Senate Bill 125 funding and progress on accountability measures.
• Engage with the Statewide Transit Transformation Task Force on best strategies to grow transit ridership, improve the transit experience, and plan for long-term funding as well as with the California Transportation Commission’s (CTC) needs assessment of the cost to operate, maintain and provide for future growth of the state’s transportation systems.
• Ensure allocations for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and Zero Emission Transit Capital Program are included in the State’s FY 2025 Budget.
• Pursue member budget requests to support priority projects.
• Pursue state grant funding to support transit-oriented development (TOD), supporting infrastructure, and station access improvements.
• Support legislation to encourage density of housing and jobs near transit.
• Support state climate strategies that prioritize investments in transit infrastructure, resiliency, zero-emission vehicle technology, and other BART sustainability initiatives.
• Pursue funding for the Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau, new tools and technologies for the BART Police Department, and the Next Generation Fare Gates project.
• Support legislation to promote the safety of riders, operators, and other frontline transit employees.
• Monitor implementation of Assembly Bill 1377, which requires jurisdictions that receive state Homelessness Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding to provide data and a narrative summary of actions taken to help address homelessness on transit operating in their jurisdictions, as well as advocate for homeless funding for our partner jurisdictions and monitor implementation of the CARE Court program.
• Support state grant applications and funding opportunities for the Link21 program with a focus on project development, equity, and environmental clearance of a new transbay rail crossing.
• Support legislation retaining the ability of members of the public to address the Board of Directors remotely via teleconference and for volunteer bodies to establish a quorum and meet virtually.
• Monitor the ongoing legal dispute surrounding PEPRA; support efforts to ensure federal funding continues to flow to California transit agencies.
• Introduce and pass sponsored legislation that addresses a specific program or goal as identified by the Board and/or staff, including amendments to the BART Act to update BART’s financial reporting structure.

Legislative Positions

Every year BART engages in advocacy efforts on federal and state bills that are of critical importance to the District. Often the Board of Directors will support or oppose specific bills according to their adopted goals and priorities. Each section will be updated as bills are introduced. 

State Legislation (2023 - 2024 Session)

Federal Legislation (118th Congress)

For questions regarding BART’s Legislative Advocacy Program contact:

Alex Walker

Manager of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs

[email protected]

510-464-6173