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SFCTA votes to support state bill authorizing Bay Area transportation revenue measure
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Summary
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority board voted unanimously to support Senate Bill 63, which would authorize a regional transportation revenue measure on the November 2026 ballot and triggers a July 31 TFIP process to allocate contributions among counties and operators.
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority board voted on April 8 to support Senate Bill 63, legislation that would authorize a regional transportation revenue measure for the Bay Area on the November 2026 ballot.
Martin Reyes, principal transportation planner, told the board the bill would create a transportation revenue district that by default includes Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties, with San Mateo and Santa Clara allowed to opt in by July 31. Reyes said the measure’s default sales-tax rate would be a half-cent, though San Francisco could opt for up to a full cent if it chooses. "We are asking for a support position on SB 63," Reyes said.
Reyes described the Transit Operations Financial Responsibility and Implementation Plan, or TFIP, a locally developed process due July 31 that legislators expect to use to define fair-share contributions for transit operators. He said the bill would allow funds to support operations for major operators (AC Transit, BART, Caltrain and Muni), some smaller East Bay operators and MTC-led transit transformation initiatives; the bill leaves specific agency allocations to later local processes.
Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar, who represents San Francisco on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, said the MTC board "voted to support the bill, with almost unanimous support," while acknowledging San Mateo and Santa Clara counties had raised concerns about flexibility tied to their expiring local measures. Melgar said the regional approach still appeared to have broad support.
After brief discussion, Commissioner Mahmood moved and Commissioner Dorsey seconded a motion to support SB 63. The clerk recorded all present commissioners voting aye; the clerk announced, "There are 10 ayes. The motion is approved." The recorded vote in the meeting transcript shows each present commissioner voting yes; two members were recorded absent during roll call earlier in the meeting.
Next steps outlined by staff include participating in the TFIP process and responding to expected legislative amendments over the coming months. If signature gathering for a citizen initiative proceeds, staff said proponents could begin that process in January 2026 for a November 2026 ballot placement.
The board did not specify allocation shares in the meeting; Reyes emphasized the bill is intentionally silent on exact agency funding splits and that those shares would be developed through TFIP and subsequent local and regional planning work.
