Come for all your favorite conference presentations and networking opportunities; arrive early to spread the word about transit priorities during a delegation visit.
By Arianna Smith
Managing Editor
Transit California
Mark your calendars and make sure you’re registered for the Association’s Annual Spring Legislative Conference this May in Sacramento! As usual, the program is packed with legislative and budget briefings, panels with state legislators and Administration officials, and discussions of funding and statewide initiatives, and advocacy strategizing, along with the return of some much-missed awards.
The 2026 conference is back for the third year at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel on Thursday, May 21, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Member agency attendees are encouraged to arrive the day before to schedule visits with their state legislators in the Capitol, advocate for Association priorities, and attend the annual Legislative Reception. See the agenda at a glance and read ahead for everything you need to make the most of your trip!
All your favorite sessions are on the agenda
Attendees can start the day right with a networking continental breakfast and opening remarks.
Conference-goers will gain key insights into the Governor’s Administration climate policies special morning keynote address by Lauren Sanchez, Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Sanchez was appointed Chair in 2025 and previously served as Senior Advisor for Climate for Governor Newsom, where she led the effort to codify the state’s carbon neutrality goal and negotiated major policy changes to the Cap-and-Invest (previously the Cap-and-Trade) program. She also served in the federal government across two Administrations, as Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and as a Climate Negotiator at the U.S. Department of State. She also previously served in the California Environmental Protection Agency and in other CARB roles.
Next up is the annual update on the Association’s highest funding and policy priorities in the State Legislative and Budget Update panel. Attendees will have the chance to hear from and ask questions of the Association’s advocacy team: Michael Pimentel, Executive Director, Brendan Repicky, Legislative & Regulatory Advocate, and Matt Robinson, Legislative Advocate. Advocates will cover everything from sponsored bills to concerning legislation to budget negotiations amidst economic upheaval.
CARB’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation is on the minds of transit agencies large and small, and the conference will include an afternoon session update on the Association’s ongoing advocacy to secure additional relief from the ICT regulation and explore how Association members can support these efforts. Throughout 2025 and into this year, the Association has worked with the California Air Resources Board and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to ensure that transit agencies can successfully deploy Zero Emissions Buses while meeting ICT regulation requirements. To make zero-emission vehicle deployment goals a reality, the Association and CARB worked together on a framework for dialogue; this effort was eventually blended with work by other state entities involved in ZEB deployments funding and technical support to form an interagency coalition: the ICT ZEB Task Force. The ICT Phase 2 Comprehensive Review may or may not be released before the conference, but panelists will be ready to provide the most up-to-date information.
A new approach to legislative meetings as we build up new transit champions
Lobbying after a full day of programming is no more! In previous years, attendees have headed to the Capitol to meet with legislators and staff following conference presentations.
This year, as part of a longer-term reimagining of engagement with legislators, the Association encourages conference attendees to arrive in Sacramento the day before the conference, on Wednesday, May 20, and schedule these delegation visits on that date. These delegation visits are invaluable as the Association works to identify and encourage new transit champion legislators in the years ahead, as well as to further support and provide development opportunities for those legislators who already lend their strong voices to advocate for transit priorities.
Transit agency staff who wish to organize legislative visits for Wednesday, May 20 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 20) and preferred time window for the requested 15-to-30-minute meeting, along with the names, titles, and organizations of one to four participants, as 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 the previous two years, 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.
Are you unsure what to say to legislators and legislative staff in meetings? Association staff will provide background materials for delegation visits through a communication hub in early April and at an upcoming webinar. Additionally, the Association encourages and welcomes conference attendees to be prepared to talk about local projects and bring additional materials about individual agencies.
In future years, delegation visits may become a day-long event that is wholly separate from the Spring Legislative Conference. Stay tuned!
Bringing back much-needed recognition
After nearly a decade-long hiatus, the Association is bringing back the Transit Champion of the Year Award to honor the work of legislators who have fought to protect and expand transit across California.
This year, the Association will honor Senator Scott Wiener for his untiring work to secure transit funding, as well as for authoring SB 71 to expand and extend existing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for transit projects. Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson will also be honored with the award for her strong prioritization of transit safety legislation and policies.
Everything else you need to know to go
Register now to receive the early bird special! Pricing is just $300 for members and $340 for non-members until April 15. After April 15, members pay $340 and non-members pay $380. Register here.
Attendees who have come to previous conferences will remember the special annual reception that occurs the night before formal programming on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, this year at the award-winning Revival. Attendees will enjoy drinks and appetizers while networking with invited legislators and Capitol staff. To RSVP separately, please contact Maria Barajas at maria@caltransit.org.
Sponsorships are still available for the legislative reception, coffee break, conference luncheon, and more (full list here).
For more information or any other questions on this event, please contact Maria Barajas (maria@caltransit.org or (916) 446-4656).
We can’t wait to see you there!