Senator Wiener’s Bill To Streamline Public Transportation Projects Heads to the Governor

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature passed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco)’s SB 71, a bill to jumpstart public transportation and bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects by streamlining the permitting process. The bill passed the Assembly 79-1 and the Senate 24-0, and the bill heads next to the Governor, who must sign or veto the bill by October 13.

“Reliable, affordable, safe public transit is key to a sustainable and prosperous future for California. This bill takes a significant step in that direction,” said Senator Wiener. “Transit is essential for our region and our economic recovery: We need trains and buses to bring customers and workers to businesses, kids to school, people to the doctor and supermarkets, fans to concerts and Warriors games, and tourists to and from the airport. I’m proud to send this critical bill to the Governor, and I have every confidence he will stand with transit once again.”

In 2020, Senator Wiener passed SB 288, which exempted active transportation and public transportation infrastructure projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In 4 years, this exemption has streamlined nearly 100 transit projects across California — including 28 in San Francisco — delivering them more quickly and at a lower cost to communities. However, the law is currently set to expire at the end of 2029.

SB 71 extends this critical streamlining measure to 2040, while expanding it to include bus shelters, lighting, ferry terminals, and infrastructure maintenance.

SB 71 is sponsored by the California Transit Association, SPUR (co-sponsor), Bay Area Council (co-sponsor), and LA Metro (co-sponsor). Read more about SB 71 here.

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