Senate committee votes 3-1 to concur in amendments to SB 512 allowing citizen initiatives for local transportation sales taxes

A California State Senate committee voted 3-1 during a committee meeting to concur in assembly amendments to SB 512, a bill by Senator Perez that would clarify that voters in a transportation district may qualify transportation transactions and use tax measures by citizen ballot initiative.

Senator Perez, the bill—s author, told the committee that SB 512 "clarifies and ensures voters in a transportation district can exercise their right to propose and pass a transportation transactions and use tax measure by means of a citizen's ballot initiative." He said the change is intended to resolve a conflict between California—s election code and the protections created by Proposition 218.

Supporters told the committee the bill preserves voters—ability to fund local projects and reduces legal uncertainty. Keith Dunn, testifying on behalf of the Self Help Counties Coalition, the State Building and Construction Trades Council and the District Council of Iron Workers, said the bill is "really about trusting our citizens who want to invest in their own communities." Dunn added that the county coalition and allied labor groups expect local transportation sales taxes approved by voters to be administered by properly authorized transportation agencies and to leverage additional state and federal funds.

Jason Bridal, representing Transportation California, stated the organization was "in support" of the bill.

Senator Choi, identifying himself as the committee—s only Republican member, opposed SB 512. Choi said the bill "bypasses the requirement that two-thirds of the electorate must vote to approve local, special taxes," referencing Proposition 13 (1978) and Proposition 218 (1996). He argued that making it easier to enact local sales taxes would disproportionately affect low-income Californians and could weaken the two-thirds safeguard. "At a time when Californians are struggling with the cost of living, the legislature should not make it easier to increase taxes," Choi said, and concluded by announcing his intention to vote no.

The committee recorded a motion by Senator Lamone that the assembly amendments be concurred in. The roll call as recorded in the transcript shows Senators Cervantes, Allen and Limon voting aye and Senator Choi voting no; the committee clerk later announced a final tally of 3-1. Committee members noted the motion carried and the bill was reported out of the committee.

The transcript does not specify additional next steps, a full floor schedule or whether any amendments beyond the assembly amendments remain under consideration.