At its meeting in Merced, the Equity Advisory Committee received interagency updates from Transportation Commission, the State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Caltrans, and heard public comment urging tribal recognition in transportation projects.

What agencies said: Sasha Linker of the Transportation Commission told members that the application period for committee membership was open and that the application window closes October 19; staff said they are working to fill three open seats and that the application link is available in agenda materials and on the Commission’s website. The interagency staff team also announced a finalized 2026 EAC meeting calendar; staff said the 2026 meetings will rotate around the state and continue to offer virtual options.

From CalSTA, Allison Jo (identified in the meeting as Lisonbee Jo) said the transit transformation task force has completed meetings and staff are finalizing recommendations to present to the Legislature later in the month; she also said CalSTA and the California Health and Human Services Agency signed a joint secretary’s policy on road safety the same day, committing the state to a prevention and safe‑systems approach to eliminate fatal and serious traffic injuries.

Caltrans staff described three advisory opportunities in progress: a statewide community engagement playbook (with Caltrans staff returning in 2026 to show how subcommittee feedback was incorporated), a director’s policy on transit (returning to a subcommittee for implementation planning) and equity index use‑case development (under a data implementation subcommittee). Caltrans staff also noted an informational briefing on Complete Streets would be provided at the same meeting (see separate briefing).

Public comment: Joe Eagle Grizzly Bear, president of Utah Nation, United Tribes of California, called for greater tribal recognition in bridge and roadside design and offered tribal basket motifs, basketwork or Native artwork as culturally specific design elements to be incorporated into infrastructure projects. Grizzly Bear said tribes are willing to collaborate with Caltrans and local jurisdictions on design and cultural recognition. Committee members thanked him and confirmed the EAC and staff would follow up to explore those suggestions.

Other items: Sequoia Erasmus of the California Transportation Commission highlighted a vehicle weight safety study task force meeting scheduled for Oct. 29 (virtual, 11 a.m.) and noted a forthcoming recommendation on establishment of an EAC liaison to the Active Transportation Program Technical Advisory Committee (discussed and approved later in the meeting). Caltrans staff and the commission also flagged an active transportation program technical advisory committee representative application process and upcoming briefings on ATP guidelines for the 2027 cycle.

Members and staff agreed to share links to application materials and task force pages, and staff said they will follow up by email with meeting materials, application links and outreach guidance.