DEPARTMENT: Government & Public Affairs
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jeff Coyle
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: 87th State Legislative Session and Federal Transportation Update
SUMMARY:
Briefing and possible action on legislation filed in the 87th Regular State Legislative Session that relates to the City of San Antonio’s transportation funding and pedestrian safety initiatives in the Council-approved State Legislative Program. This briefing will provide an update on the status of legislation that the City of San Antonio staff and consultant team are actively monitoring.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio’s State Legislative Program for the 87th Texas Legislature was approved by City Council on November 12, 2020. It includes the following transportation-related priorities:
Preserve Investments in Transportation
• The City supports the continued full funding and implementation of Propositions 1 and 7 and the protection of existing revenue streams by limiting diversions from the state highway fund to non-transportation programs.
Ensure the Safety of Pedestrians
• The City supports legislation that would enhance pedestrian safety and continue to support safety initiatives, such as Vision Zero, by allowing cities more flexibility to reduce speed limits on local streets for the overall safety of all road users.
The 87th Regular State Legislative Session began on January 12, 2021. Members of the 87th Legislature began filing bills last November and filing ended on March 12, 2021. Several bills related to the City’s transportation priorities are moving through the process.
At the Federal level, President Biden recently released the American Jobs Plan, “an investment in America that will create millions of good jobs and rebuild the country’s infrastructure.” The plan is intended to guide congressional discussions about a future infrastructure package.
The U.S. Department of Transportation also recently announced the availability of $1 Billion to modernize and create infrastructure through a new grant program called RAISE - Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity. For this round of RAISE grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $100 million can be awarded to a single state, as specified in the appropriations act. Applications are due July 12, 2021.
ISSUE:
The state legislative issues covered by this update will vary depending on legislative activity in the Texas Senate and the House of Representatives.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes and possible action.