Committee approves SB 512 to affirm voters' ability to qualify transportation sales taxes by citizen initiative

The Assembly Elections Committee on July 16 voted to pass SB 512 as amended and re-refer the measure to the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Perez presented the bill and said it does not authorize or mandate taxes but clarifies that voters in a transportation district can propose and pass transportation transactions and use tax measures by citizen initiative.

Perez said the measure responds to conflicts between the Elections Code and Proposition 218 that could leave citizen-initiated transportation tax measures vulnerable to litigation, delaying projects and increasing costs. The bill would align the Elections Code with Proposition 218 and related statutes so a citizen-qualified transportation sales tax measure would not face procedural uncertainty.

Supporters included the Self Help Counties Coalition, State Building and Construction Trades Council, Transportation California, county transportation commissions, contractors' associations, and engineering and trade groups. Opponents included the California Association of Realtors, California Chamber of Commerce, Family Business Association of California, and California Fuels Convenience Alliance, who registered respectful opposition during the hearing.

Assemblymember Bennett moved the bill and Assemblymember Solace seconded. The clerk's roll call recorded the committee vote as "out 5 to 2." The author and supporters said the bill preserves the existing vote thresholds for approval of taxes and seeks only to prevent procedural suits that could disrupt local transportation financing efforts.

Senator Perez and supporters emphasized the bill does not change the required majority for approving taxes and that it is intended to provide clarity so citizens and local governments can rely on initiative results without costly litigation.