SB1332

THE CONTEXT: Beginning in 2010 and every fifth year thereafter, the AG must conduct a performance audit, of the plan and projects scheduled for funding during the next five years. With respect to light rail systems, the audit must consider the criteria used by the federal transit administration pursuant to 49 United States Code section 5309(e)(1)(B ) and the interrelationship among the criteria to provide federal funding for light rail systems.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require the AG, in coordination with an independent transportation research entity, to conduct a comprehensive review of light rail expansion in Maricopa County, by December 31,, lists review requirements to include: a; capital and operating cost comparisons between a light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, including bus rapid transit, passenger vans and shuttle systems; b; a comparison of the environmental impact per dollar invested for acquiring, constructing and operating a light rail; c; analysis of the long-term economic benefits and costs between light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, including bus rapid transit, passenger vans and shuttle systems; d; flexibility scalability and adaptability to population shifts; e; long-term maintenance and replacement costs; f; policy recommendations regarding future state involvement in light rail construction; g; analysis of whether continuation, modification or discontinuation of state participation in light rail expansion is warranted; h; the short-term economics effects of construction on small locally owned businesses located within or adjacent to proposed transit corridors; and i; an evaluation to the extent to which construction activity may impair visibility, access, parking availability, pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic to affected businesses and that must estimate the potential for lost revenue, workforce reductions, relocation or business closure during the construction period, and prohibit the review to presume the superiority of any mode of transport.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for light rail expansion into an enforceable rule. It would require the AG, in coordination with an independent transportation research entity, to conduct a comprehensive review of light rail expansion in Maricopa County, by December 31,, and would also lists review requirements to include: a. capital and operating cost comparisons between a light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, including bus rapid transit, passenger vans and shuttle systems; b. a comparison of the environmental impact per dollar invested for acquiring, constructing and operating a light rail; c. analysis of the long-term economic benefits and costs between light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, including bus rapid transit, passenger vans and shuttle systems. d. flexibility scalability and adaptability to population shifts; e. long-term maintenance and replacement costs; f. policy recommendations regarding future state involvement in light rail construction; g. analysis of whether continuation, modification or discontinuation of state participation in light rail expansion is warranted; h. the short-term economics effects of construction on small locally owned businesses located within or adjacent to proposed transit corridors; and i. an evaluation to the extent to which construction activity may impair visibility, access, parking availability, pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic to affected businesses and that must estimate the potential for lost revenue, workforce reductions, relocation or business closure during the construction period, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.