Assembly approves Wolk transportation bill

Legislation allows more funding for transportation projects

SACRAMENTO–The State Assembly passed legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to increase funding for local or regional transportation agencies for project planning and monitoring, avoiding delays in construction projects, on a bipartisan 60-18 vote late Wednesday.

Assembly Bill 2538 allows each transportation planning agency or county transportation commission to use up to 5 percent of their State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) “county share” for planning, programming, and monitoring—known as PPM funding. Currently, agencies are allowed to utilize only 0.5 to 1 percent of their STIP allocation for such activities.

“AB 2538 addresses the inadequacy of the current funding model for local transportation projects,” said Wolk. “The bill rights an inequity by enabling local agencies to utilize a greater portion of their current STIP funding for necessary planning and monitoring of their projects.

“There is a critical need for adequate planning funds so that projects are ready to go when construction money becomes available. This bill would address that need.”

AB 2538, which now moves to the State Senate, is sponsored by the Solano Transportation Authority. The bill is supported by the California Association of Councils of Government, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and Marin County.