Transform’s Legislative Agenda for 2026
Much of Transform’s policy focus this year is directed at passing the regional transportation measure, which will be on the ballot in five Bay Area counties in November. However, we will still campaign for — and against — legislation in Sacramento that furthers our mission to build thriving, equitable, climate-safe communities where everyone has access to affordable, sustainable housing and transportation.
In fact, we’ve gone national this year, supporting two pieces of federal legislation, including one co-authored by East Bay Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. Here are the bills we’re following this year.
Big win out of the gates
Governor Gavin Newsom has already signed one critical bill. SB 117, the Bay Area transit loan bill, ensures transit providers won’t have to make cuts in advance of the regional transit funding measure this fall. We hope it’s a good omen for the rest of our legislative agenda.
Bills Transform supports
Transform is supporting eight state bills this year. Among these are three measures introduced last session that became two-year bills. We’re also supporting two federal measures.
Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (AB 2560, Schultz): This bill would codify the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) goals, which are currently unenforceable, into statute. CAPTI sets out worthwhile goals; adding teeth by making those goals statutory would be a big step toward real climate action in California.
Illegal E-Motos (SB 1167, Blakespear): Most of the anti-e-bike sentiment in California arises from vehicles that don’t fit the state’s e-bike classifications, with more powerful motors, throttles, and the capability to drive much faster than regular e-bikes. Unregulated sale of these motorbikes, many of which are not street-legal, often to minors, threatens to negatively impact legitimate e-bikes, which provide a green mobility option for a growing number of Californians of all ages. This bill amends regulations dictating the type of vehicles that are prohibited from being advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as e-bikes. It would additionally make a violation of this provision a misleading statement for purposes of false advertising provisions of the Business and Professions Code.
Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program (CAPP) (SB 1091, Caballero): Preserving existing affordable housing is essential to Transform’s vision for sustainable communities where all families can thrive. CAPP would support this vision, allowing existing renters to stay in low-cost housing while California communities work to build more affordable units. This is an excellent program that will complement other measures to expand the availability of affordable housing in this legislative session.
Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (SB 772, Cabaldon):This bill, first introduced last year, would amend a grant program that provides funding for infill housing projects and the infrastructure needed to support them. The bill would grant credits for walkability, in addition to proximity to transit, and add stormwater parks to the list of fundable infrastructure projects. Infill development is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change, and this bill brings funding for these developments in line with updated state regulations.
The Affordable Insurance and Climate Recovery Act (SB 222, Wiener): This measure to allow individuals injured by climate disasters and extreme weather events to sue oil and gas companies stalled out in committee last year but is back this session, hopefully with a path to pass the legislature.
Connect Bay Area Bill (SB TBD, Arreguin): A bill to amend and clean up the language of SB 63, which passed last year, hasn’t been released yet but is on its way. SB 63 cleared the way for the Regional Transit Measure currently making its way to the November ballot. This bill incorporates changes that happened after the close of the legislative session and permits different ballot arguments to appear in each county. That will allow supporters to appeal to the unique needs and concerns of voters in each county in their ballot materials.
Transit Stop Registry (AB 1599, Ahrens): One of the avoidable obstacles to taking public transit is locating the nearest stop. This bill creates a statewide database of transit stop locations that will list the amenities available at each stop, giving riders access to better data.
State housing bond AB 736 (Wicks) and SB 417 (Cabaldon) are dual measures with a singular goal: to put a $10 billion affordable housing bond on the 2026 November ballot. Introduced last year, they both became two-year bills, but the authors brought them back in this session.
Federal legislation
Transform is taking the unusual step of supporting two bills moving through Congress in Washington, D.C. this year. Both bills will encourage transit-oriented development (TOD) — building homes near transit hubs — something Transform has long campaigned for locally.
Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act (H.R.7298, Simon, Jacobs): Transform is among the endorsers for this bill, introduced by East Bay Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, who fills Barbara Lee’s former seat. It extends a national TOD pilot program that’s similar to programs Transform has advocated for in the Bay Area.
Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (HUBS) Act (H. R. 7062, Friedman, Lawler; S. 3636, Blunt Rochester, Curtis): The Build HUBS Act was introduced simultaneously in the House of Representatives by California Congresswoman Laura Friedman, a long-time champion of sustainable transportation in the California legislature, and in the Senate by Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester. It would encourage TOD by cutting red tape and giving priority in HUD funding programs to TOD projects. Transform strongly supports this bill.
Bills Transform Opposes
A lot can (and does) happen as bills pass through committees and get revised, so we generally put bills on our watch list if we’re not sure about them. This year, however, two bills are firmly on our actively oppose list from the start.
E-Bike Registration and License Plates (AB 1942, Bauer-Kahan): Electric bicycles have exploded in popularity in recent years. They provide inexpensive, sustainable transportation for people who can’t or don’t want to drive, as well as mobility for seniors and people who need to transport kids or cargo. This bill targets legal e-bikes in Class 2 and 3, which have top speeds of 20 mph and 28 mph, respectively, requiring owners to register them and get license plates. This adds an expense and hassle that will be a barrier to adopting this healthy mobility option while not addressing the real problem of illegal e-motos (see the e-moto bill we’re supporting, above). In addition, it would lead to more police interactions, which largely target BIPOC riders. We hope lawmakers understand the problem and support the e-moto bill while shutting this one down.
Suisun Marsh Preservation Act of 1977 (AB 2059, Wilson): We don’t have the language for this bill yet (it’s a spot bill at the moment — a placeholder for future legislation), but it will become a measure reforming 2013’s SB 743, which set environmental review standards for TOD projects. The bill will undermine mitigation for additional vehicle miles traveled (VMT) currently required of highway expansion projects. This is one of the only ways we can extract good things like affordable housing and transit improvements from highway expansions when we’re not able to stop them entirely.
Bills Transform is watching
We’ve got our eye on four more bills and will advocate for our preferred language in each as they move through committee. Our position may change to supporting some of these, depending on the outcome of those revisions.
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Bifurcation (trailer bill): The revised Cap-and-Invest Program, passed last year, continues funding for this vital program, which provides affordable infill housing and has already funded projects taking tons of carbon out of the atmosphere. This bill would split the program in two, potentially undermining the invaluable housing and transportation nexus AHSC provides.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Reform (trailer bill): Another trailer bill to codify elements of cap-and-trade reform, this bill affects the distribution of funds to certain programs funded by the sale of carbon credits. With proceeds from cap-and-trade well below what was expected, Transform is concerned about shrinking funding for vital housing, transit, and climate programs.
The Road Usage Charge Study Bill (AB 1421, Wilson): This bill would extend California’s study of road pricing options. With gas tax revenues declining as more drivers move to EVs, the state needs to find a new source of revenue to pay for road maintenance. Transform remains engaged in campaigning for an equitable, sustainable funding structure for road maintenance and sustainable transportation investment. We expect this process to take some time and will continue to educate and engage the legislature on this issue.
Sustainable Communities Strategies (SB 1087, Cabaldon): Two decades after the passage of SB 375, which required California’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to incorporate climate targets into their transportation plans, there remains a disconnect between California’s climate goals and its governance of land use and transportation decisions. SB 1087 seeks to reduce the administrative burdens of implementation and secure regionally controlled funding for implementation. Transform believes any reform to SB 375 must strengthen planning requirements to better align with the law’s goals, and prioritize implementation dollars for climate-supportive projects.
