The annual Spring Legislative Conference arrives during crucial public policy discussions about Cap-and-Trade reauthorization. Member agencies have the chance to educate legislators about needed funds during advocacy visits.
By Arianna Smith
Managing Editor
Transit California 
With less than two weeks until the Association’s annual Spring Legislative Conference, attendees are preparing to gather in Sacramento. This year, the event occurs alongside a critical hearing about Cap-and-Trade reauthorization, ongoing budget and funding shortfalls, and new questions about how federal actions may affect state priorities.
The 2025 conference once again takes place at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel on Thursday, May 8, with programmed content from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. From 3:00 to 5:00 PM, member agency attendees are encouraged to schedule visits with their state legislators in the Capitol and to advocate for Association priorities. See the latest agenda here.
Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization: Informational hearing followed by an exclusive legislator panel
On the same day that members and partners are convening for the Spring Legislative Conference, the Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy will convene a Joint Informational Hearing with the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality that will begin to examine proposals for Cap-and-Trade reauthorization. (Unlike a regular committee hearing, in an informational hearing, committee members will not consider or vote on specific legislation and will instead review the history and details of the reauthorization proposals).
Attendees of the conference will continue the conversation and hear directly from state legislators who are involved in policy negotiations in the panel, “Improving California’s Climate Strategy through Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization.” Senator Catherine Blakespear (Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee) and Assemblymember Lori Wilson (Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee) will serve on the panel, and Senator Ben Allen (Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee 2) and Senator Henry Stern (Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies) have been invited.
The schedule is particularly relevant for transit agency attendees who are making legislative visits after the conference: more legislators and staff will be immediately familiar with the ongoing Cap-and-Trade reauthorization discussion due to the morning hearing, and agency members will be well prepared by the afternoon panel to engage in meaningful, more in-depth advocacy.
For more information about the Association’s work on Cap-and-Trade reauthorization efforts, see Transit California’s February 2025 article.
The advocacy piece: Tell legislators your priorities!
It’s not too late for conference attendees to schedule a meeting with legislative representatives!
“Every conversation with a legislator is a chance to shape the future of transit,” said Beverly Greene, Chair of the Association’s State Legislative Committee and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Government Affairs Chief. “Don’t underestimate the power of your voice – it’s how progress begins.”
Transit agency staff who wish to organize legislative visits after conference programming should contact legislative offices as soon as possible. This can be done by phone to request the scheduling form or scheduler’s email address; some legislators’ websites also have online scheduling forms and additional information about how to request meetings. When scheduling meetings, attendees should provide the date (May 8) and preferred time window for the requested 15-to-30-minute meeting, along with the names, titles, and organizations of one to four participants (office spaces are small and can only accommodate individuals or small groups). Contact information and websites can be found here for Assemblymembers and Senators. Find which legislators represent which service areas here. Transit agency members are welcome to contact and set meetings with all legislators who represent their service areas.
Attendees will make legislative visits to legislators’ offices in the State Capitol Building and in the “Swing Space” building two blocks south (1021 O Street). As with last year, construction continues on the east side of the Capitol Building and in Capitol Park. Additionally, numerous hearings and meetings are scheduled daily in the Swing Space, which can result in long lines to go through security; please plan for legislative meeting attendance with consideration for possible time delays.
Unsure what to say to legislators and legislative staff in meetings? Association staff will provide background materials for legislative visits at the conference registration desk. Additionally, the Association encourages conference attendees to bring separate handouts about individual agencies and local advocacy efforts.
Keynote and other deep-dive panels
California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin will make the morning keynote address.
“In strong partnership with the California Transit Association, CalSTA holds a continuous commitment to address the critical challenges facing our transit systems, from ridership recovery and budget deficits to navigating around federal funding uncertainties,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Through collaborative efforts of the Transit Transformation Task Force, we are making significant strides in shaping a more resilient, equitable and sustainable transit future while centering our Core Four priorities of Safety, Equity, Climate Action and Economic Prosperity in our work to help improve lives for all Californians.”
The Association is currently working closely with Secretary Omishakin on several transit issues that demand thoughtful answers and support, including the new CARB and CalSTA-led Zero Emission Bus Task Force, which is in early convening steps, the ongoing 2025 negotiations around transit project funding through Cap-and-Trade, and the Transit Transformation Task Force, which will be publishing its final report in Fall 2025.
Speaking of the Task Force, attendees will hear the latest updates about the process and the forthcoming report on the panel, “Reimagining Transit’s Future: Insights from CalSTA’s Transit Transformation Task Force.” From 1:00-2:00 PM, CalSTA Chief Deputy Secretary for Rail and Transit Chad Edison, Monterey-Salinas Transit General Manager / CEO Carl Sedoryk, UC Davis Assistant Professor Kari Watkins, and SPUR Transportation Director Laura Tolkoff will engage in a discussion moderated by Association Executive Director Michael Pimentel. More information about the development of the Task Force, as well as a list of Association member agency representatives appointed to the effort, is available in Transit California’s 2024 article.
The annual “State Legislative and Budget Update” panel will be moderated by State Legislative Chair Beverly Greene from 10:40 AM-11:30 AM. Panelists include Association Executive Director Michael Pimentel, Legislative Advocate Matt Robinson, and the Association’s newest staff member, Legislative and Regulatory Advocate Brendan Repicky. For more information about the Association’s 2025 state Legislative Program, see Transit California’s February 2025 article on Association-sponsored legislation.
Networking opportunities, accommodations, sponsorships, and more
Attendees who have come to previous conferences will remember two key networking opportunities. The first is the special annual reception that occurs the night before formal programming on Wednesday, May 7, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel. Attendees will enjoy drinks and appetizers while networking with invited legislators and Capitol staff. On the day of the conference, attendees will also have time to network during the 11:30 AM-1 PM provided lunch.
Sponsorships are still available for the legislative reception, coffee break, conference luncheon, and more. If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the 2025 conference, contact Business Development Director Kristian Ross-Patchin at kristian@caltransit.org.
Rooms have been reserved at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel at a discounted rate. Price and availability are subject to change.
For information on registration or any other general questions about the conference, contact Maria Barajas at maria@caltransit.org or (916) 446-4656.