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Bill would let San Luis Obispo County voters decide on higher local sales tax for transportation
Summary
Senate Bill 333 would let San Luis Obispo County ask voters to raise the combined local sales tax limit above 2% to fund transportation improvements; sponsors said cities in the county back the proposal. The committee heard the bill but did not act until quorum was reached; it later passed out of committee.
Senate Bill 333 would allow San Luis Obispo County voters to decide whether the county may raise the countywide combined local sales tax limit above 2% to support transportation services, the bill's author said during the Assembly Local Government subcommittee meeting on June 19, 2025.
"Senate Bill 333 would allow San Luis Obispo voters to decide if, the county can raise the combined local sales tax limit above 2% to support transportation services," the bill's author said. The sponsor, Gus Cora of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, told the committee the local governments in the county support the measure and asked for a favorable vote when quorum is reached.
Supporters said the issue reflects ongoing local efforts to raise new revenue for roads, transit and other transportation services after a prior measure narrowly failed. "The voters did not approve a transportation tax three cycles ago by a handful of votes," the author said, adding local governments hope a new countywide measure will succeed.
Committee members did not take final action at the time the bill was presented because the panel proceeded as a subcommittee while awaiting a quorum. When the committee later took votes, SB 333 was reported out of committee to the Revenue and Taxation Committee with a recorded tally of yes: 7, no: 2.
The bill as presented would allow a countywide ballot measure to exceed the existing 2% combined local sales-tax cap for transportation purposes; the author said the measure is countywide and that at least one city was expected to place a local transportation tax on a separate ballot as well.
No formal opposition witnesses were recorded in the hearing transcript. The bill's sponsor and local government representative remained available to answer questions.
