Equity advisory committee extends three ad hoc subcommittees for another year, asks staff to weave safety and climate across work

At its March 4 meeting the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee voted to extend three ad hoc subcommittees for an additional year: Community Engagement Policies and Practices; Transportation Planning & Program Guidance; and Data Implementation.

Staff presented outcomes from 2025 and survey feedback indicating members found subcommittees effective for deep work. A majority of members favored extension; during debate several members asked that safety and climate be explicitly woven into subcommittee agendas rather than creating a fourth committee due to staff capacity constraints. Staff agreed to integrate those priorities and to track member requests in the work plan. The committee then approved the staff motion by roll call.

Members emphasized practical next steps: use the SB 1 equity supplement and Caltrans’ Equity Index (EQI) as tools for applicant guidance; recruit subject-matter experts for SB 1 community engagement evaluation; prioritize disability- and senior‑accessible engagement practices; and ensure consistent feedback loops so member input tracks into policy outcomes.

Staff will follow up to collect members’ subcommittee preferences and schedule meetings in April, June, September and November, with an eye toward delivering substantive advisory input on SB 1 guidelines, the EQI user guide, Cal ITP, and the transit and freight plans.