California 2019-2020 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SJR5 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 09/09/2019

                            Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 CHAPTER 142Relative to California transportation infrastructure.  [ Filed with  Secretary of State  September 09, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSJR 5, Beall. California transportation infrastructure.This measure would urge the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs. The measure would additionally urge the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax, in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, Californias transportation infrastructure is aging and in serious need of repair, with more than 44 percent of major roads and highways considered in poor condition and another 25 percent rated mediocre; and WHEREAS, This problem is even more acute in urban areas, where more than 53 percent of major roads and highways are in poor condition and 25 percent are rated mediocre; and WHEREAS, California motorists spend in excess of $22 billion annually in additional operating costs, more than $843 per driver, as a result of driving on poorly maintained roads; and WHEREAS, Increasing levels of traffic congestion are clogging urban freeways, impacting commutes and commerce, and costing Californians an estimated $29 billion annually in wasted time and fuel; and WHEREAS, With Californias population expected to grow to 48 million by 2040, substantial new investment in public transportation will be needed to improve mobility, reduce gridlock, and meet critical greenhouse gas reduction targets, yet the states transit agencies collectively face billions of dollars annually in capital and operating shortfalls; and WHEREAS, These transit agencies face particularly acute regulatory challenges and funding shortfalls in providing vital paratransit services to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and others with special needs; and WHEREAS, Freight transportation is critical to the economic vitality of the United States and robust investment in safe and efficient transportation facilities and infrastructure is essential to promoting strong economic growth in California and throughout the nation; and WHEREAS, California serves as the nations gateway to international trade as the entry point for nearly one-fifth of the countrys imports, by far the largest share of any state, with the states vast network of land and seaports, truck routes, and rail lines transporting more than $2.8 trillion in goods annually; and WHEREAS, Californias freight system is responsible for the creation of 800,000 freight jobs and stimulates creation of millions of other jobs throughout the economy; and WHEREAS, The California Legislature, having risen to meet this crisis by enacting the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5 of the Statutes of 2017) to add more than $5 billion annually in new transportation investment, depends on the federal government to provide its share of the resources needed to restore and enhance Californias highway, transit, and active transportation infrastructure for the generations to come; and WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, the Congress of the United States has failed to take action to preserve or restore the purchasing power of the federal fuel tax or provide any alternate solution adequate to ensure sustained federal investment in the nations transportation system; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs; and be it furtherResolved, That the Legislature urges the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states to rebuild infrastructure, invest in people through good, well-paying jobs, and strengthen the states and the nations economy; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States. ___________________ CORRECTIONS: TextPage 3.___________________

 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 CHAPTER 142Relative to California transportation infrastructure.  [ Filed with  Secretary of State  September 09, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSJR 5, Beall. California transportation infrastructure.This measure would urge the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs. The measure would additionally urge the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax, in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO 

 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 CHAPTER 142

 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5

 CHAPTER 142

Relative to California transportation infrastructure. 

 [ Filed with  Secretary of State  September 09, 2019. ] 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SJR 5, Beall. California transportation infrastructure.

This measure would urge the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs. The measure would additionally urge the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax, in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states.

This measure would urge the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs. The measure would additionally urge the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax, in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

WHEREAS, Californias transportation infrastructure is aging and in serious need of repair, with more than 44 percent of major roads and highways considered in poor condition and another 25 percent rated mediocre; and 

WHEREAS, This problem is even more acute in urban areas, where more than 53 percent of major roads and highways are in poor condition and 25 percent are rated mediocre; and 

WHEREAS, California motorists spend in excess of $22 billion annually in additional operating costs, more than $843 per driver, as a result of driving on poorly maintained roads; and 

WHEREAS, Increasing levels of traffic congestion are clogging urban freeways, impacting commutes and commerce, and costing Californians an estimated $29 billion annually in wasted time and fuel; and 

WHEREAS, With Californias population expected to grow to 48 million by 2040, substantial new investment in public transportation will be needed to improve mobility, reduce gridlock, and meet critical greenhouse gas reduction targets, yet the states transit agencies collectively face billions of dollars annually in capital and operating shortfalls; and 

WHEREAS, These transit agencies face particularly acute regulatory challenges and funding shortfalls in providing vital paratransit services to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and others with special needs; and 

WHEREAS, Freight transportation is critical to the economic vitality of the United States and robust investment in safe and efficient transportation facilities and infrastructure is essential to promoting strong economic growth in California and throughout the nation; and 

WHEREAS, California serves as the nations gateway to international trade as the entry point for nearly one-fifth of the countrys imports, by far the largest share of any state, with the states vast network of land and seaports, truck routes, and rail lines transporting more than $2.8 trillion in goods annually; and 

WHEREAS, Californias freight system is responsible for the creation of 800,000 freight jobs and stimulates creation of millions of other jobs throughout the economy; and 

WHEREAS, The California Legislature, having risen to meet this crisis by enacting the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5 of the Statutes of 2017) to add more than $5 billion annually in new transportation investment, depends on the federal government to provide its share of the resources needed to restore and enhance Californias highway, transit, and active transportation infrastructure for the generations to come; and 

WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, the Congress of the United States has failed to take action to preserve or restore the purchasing power of the federal fuel tax or provide any alternate solution adequate to ensure sustained federal investment in the nations transportation system; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress and the President of the United States to work together to enact the robust bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation necessary to restore Californias and other states crumbling road and freight infrastructure, respond to growing traffic congestion, and increase investment in public transportation, most particularly, by expanding paratransit services for the elderly and those with special needs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges the Congress and the President of the United States to address the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund by restoring the lost purchasing power of the federal fuel tax in order to provide the long-term funding stability necessary for California and other states to rebuild infrastructure, invest in people through good, well-paying jobs, and strengthen the states and the nations economy; and be it further 

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States. 

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