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RTC of Southern Nevada seeks extended fuel‑indexing authority and broader powers for transit security
Summary
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada told the Assembly committee it needs continued fuel‑revenue indexing and, if necessary, a ballot authority extension to close a growing transit and roadway funding gap; the agency also asked for expanded trespass powers for transit security officers to keep buses moving.
MJ Maynard, representing the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, told the committee that local roadway and transit programs depend on a combination of motor fuel taxes, sales taxes and the Fuel Revenue Indexing (FRI) structure that has paid for hundreds of local projects since 2014.
What the RTC said: the fuel indexing program supported construction of hundreds of roadway projects, generated billions in local contracts and helped create thousands of jobs. Maynard told the committee that if the fuel revenue‑indexing program is not extended beyond its current authorization, Clark County jurisdictions could face a substantial revenue decline and a corresponding list of unfunded projects.
Numbers cited by the RTC
- Since the indexing program began, the RTC reported more than $2.9 billion in roadway projects and contracts and said member jurisdictions have delivered hundreds of projects.
- The RTC said member jurisdictions identified about 167 additional local projects that currently lack funding, totaling approximately $2.7 billion.
- On transit, the RTC reported operating deficits: Maynard said the agency expects an expense overage of about $30.7 million in the current fiscal year and a larger projected shortfall in 2027 unless new revenue is identified. The RTC said federal COVID stimulus funds kept service afloat but that the stimulus pool has been spent down.
Why it matters: The RTC framed the issue as a regional shortfall that could reduce roadway investments available to all member cities and unincorporated Clark County. Maynard said the board is seeking authority to place a ballot measure on a future ballot to allow voters to determine whether to add new local revenue to close the shortfall.
Security and operations
RTC representatives also identified security as a near‑term priority. Maynard said security officers currently have authority to trespass disruptive passengers from transit shelters and terminals, but not from buses. She told the committee that when a disruptive passenger must be removed from a bus the vehicle is taken out of service while the operator waits for law enforcement; that delays passengers and harms on‑time performance. "If there's a disruptive passenger, the bus must pull over to the side. We contact our operations center and security. We have to wait for Metro to get there. All the while, people on the bus are stuck. They can't get to work," Maynard said. The RTC plans to pursue limited expansion of trespass authority and other measures that stakeholders — including the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), local law enforcement and civil‑liberties groups — have vetted.
Other notes
The agency described several local programs funded through indexing, including expanded paratransit and student passes, and the use of stimulus funds to pilot on‑demand microtransit in service gaps. Maynard said the RTC has evaluated a range of possible revenue mechanisms (sales tax, DMV fees, Transportation Network Company fees and property tax combinations) but that a ballot measure would let voters set priorities.
Ending
The RTC urged lawmakers to consider legislation that would allow Clark County voters to weigh in on sustaining or expanding regional transportation revenues and pledged continued outreach with labor and civil‑liberties partners on any proposed security changes.
