ACR109 — ACR 109 is identified twice as File Item 1 on the consent calendar, a highway naming/memorial resolution, with no substantive discussion beyond its placement on the calendar.
SCR78 — SCR 78 is identified twice as File Item 2 on the consent calendar, described as a highway naming/memorial resolution.
SCR90 — SCR 90 was listed twice as File Item 3 on the consent calendar, identified as a highway naming/memorial resolution for Grove.
Rhodesia Ransom — Rhodesia Ransom is identified as the mover of the consent calendar motion, is noted present during roll call, and later votes aye on the consent calendar.
Rhodesia Ransom — Assembly Member Rhodesia Ransom opens the exchange by asking a question of the first panel, then raises concerns about the fairness of vehicle miles traveled fees for constituents who must commute long distances for work. She continues by probing whether a mileage-based fee would effectively make drivers pay the same amount if it is structured to raise revenue comparable to the gas tax.
Rhodesia Ransom — Referred to as the colleague from Stockton who noted similar concerns about affordability and transportation costs.
Diane Papan — Diane Papan is identified as the seconder on the consent calendar motion, is present during roll call, and is later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Lori Wilson — Present during roll call.
Lori Wilson — The roll call vote on the consent calendar included Wilson voting aye.
Lori Wilson — As chair, opened Part 2 of the hearing and described the informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax.
Lori Wilson — Asked whether any other committee members wanted to make opening remarks before moving on.
Lori Wilson — Mr. Schenkel addressed Chair Wilson and confirmed audio/slide setup before beginning his remarks.
Lori Wilson — Mentioned as having discussed delivery fees with the speaker at a legislative summit.
Lori Wilson — Thanked for hosting the presentation; referred to as Assembly Member Wilson.
Lori Wilson — Hendren references Chair Lori Wilson’s earlier opening comments about the importance of building a sustainable, reliable transportation system and frames transportation as a broader national need.
Lori Wilson — The Chair thanks Director Hendren, references the frog analogy, and opens the floor for questions.
Lori Wilson — The speaker addresses Lori Wilson as Madam Chair, pauses mid-sentence, apologizes, and asks for a moment before continuing.
Lori Wilson — Two speakers briefly addressed Chair Wilson directly in succession, each offering a greeting and thanking or acknowledging the committee without introducing any substantive discussion.
Laurie Davies — Laurie Davies was present during roll call and voted aye on the consent calendar.
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — Cecilia Aguiar-Curry was present for roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Patrick Ahrens — Patrick Ahrens was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Juan Carrillo — Juan Carrillo was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
John Harabedian — John Harabedian was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Gregg Hart — Gregg Hart was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Josh Hoover — Josh Hoover was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Tom Lackey — Tom Lackey is first recorded as present during roll call and then as voting aye on the consent calendar during the same roll call sequence.
Tom Lackey — Tom Lackey argues that the proposed mileage-based charge is effectively a new tax on drivers rather than a true replacement for the gas tax. He says proponents are not committing to repealing the gas tax, which would leave drivers paying two taxes, and he opposes the idea on affordability grounds, especially for constituents with long commutes.
Alexandra Macedo — Alexandra Macedo was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
Chris Rogers — Chris Rogers was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar during the roll call vote.
Christopher Ward — Christopher Ward was present during roll call and later recorded as voting aye on the consent calendar.
AJ Mendeola — AJ Mendeola was publicly recognized as the Assembly Transportation Committee’s science fellow for the year, with acknowledgment of his UC Davis PhD and appreciation for his service. The chair praised his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and valuable support to the chair, staff, and committee members, and the recognition concluded with applause and cupcakes presented in his honor.
Douglas Schenkel — Douglas Schenkel, Transportation Program Director at the National Conference of State Legislatures, presents an overview of how states are responding to declining transportation revenue, especially the shrinking share and purchasing power of the gas tax due to electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and improved fuel efficiency. He explains that states are using a variety of transportation funding mechanisms, including indexed or variable-rate gas taxes, hotel and severance taxes, sales taxes, lottery fees, flat registration fees for electric, hybrid, and other alternative-fuel vehicles, and road usage charges. He also discusses voluntary RUC programs in states like California, Hawaii, Utah, and Virginia, noting differences in enrollment and program design, and then turns to transportation network company fees and delivery fees as additional user-fee approaches, with some states dedicating those revenues to transit or transportation purposes.
Alan Jenn — Introduced as an Associate Professor at the University of California Institute for Transportation Studies and panelist.
Trish Hendren — Introduced as Executive Director of the Eastern Transportation Coalition and panelist.
Trish Hendren — Introduced as Executive Director of the Eastern Transportation Coalition and begins her presentation.
Dr. Jen — The chair thanks Dr. Jen and indicates her remarks are concluding before moving to the next speaker.
Dr. Jen — Dr. Jen is repeatedly referenced as someone who may be able to weigh in on the discussion, with speakers inviting her input and suggesting she may have relevant insight, including on EV ownership and purchase patterns.
Old Bessie — Hendren refers to her own older car as an example in the user-pay discussion.
Mindy — Mindy is referenced as the person who will further explain Hawaii's approach.
Alan — Alan is identified in the exchange, then noted as someone who may weigh in on the issue, and finally referenced for previously explaining that the fees are not connected to use.
Doug Schenkel — Named as a presenter who is still on the call.
Trish — Trish is repeatedly mentioned as someone who may have useful insight and is being invited to weigh in alongside Dr. Jen on the discussion, including questions about EV ownership and purchase patterns.
Trish — Praised for a presentation with the Embuff group about how things have changed.
Trish — The speaker references Trish's earlier remarks on privacy and says she did a great job highlighting the issue.
Trish — Referenced as having pointed out 1919 as a date for fuel taxation.
Ellen — Referenced as having suggested a general fund approach for transportation.
Mindy Camura — Introduced as Hawaii Road Usage Charge Program Manager with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Laif Elder — Introduced as Director of Policy and Legislative Services at the Utah Department of Transportation.
Laif Elder — Introduced himself as working for the Utah Department of Transportation.
Scott Boardman — Introduced as Innovative Program Policy Advisor at the Oregon Department of Transportation.