SB 1136: Intercity rail and commuter rail: special events service plans: fare system integration.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law sets forth various provisions applicable to all public transit and transit districts and includes specific requirements applicable to public entities that operate commuter rail or rail transit systems.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2027, a regional rail operator, as defined, operating within an intercity rail corridor to ensure that its fare systems are fully integrated with the fare systems of the intercity rail operator, and any other regional rail operator, operating in the intercity rail corridor. By imposing additional duties on regional rail operators, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation, subject to approval of the Secretary of Transportation, to enter into an interagency transfer agreement under which a joint powers board assumes responsibility for administering the state-funded intercity rail service in a particular corridor. Existing law provides for the allocation of state funds by the secretary to a joint powers board under an interagency transfer agreement based on an annual business plan for the intercity rail corridor and subsequent appropriation of state funds. Existing law requires the joint powers board to submit the annual business plan to the secretary for review and recommendation by April 1 of each year.

This bill would require an interagency transfer agreement to require a joint powers board to ensure that service planning is provided for special events, as defined. The bill would require, commencing with the 2027–28 fiscal year, the business plan to include a special events service plan that establishes, among other things, an intercity rail operating schedule for special events and fare system integration between the intercity rail operator and regional rail operators. To the extent that the bill would add to the duties of a joint powers board, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 14, 2026May 14 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
3. April 27, 2026April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
4. April 17, 2026Set for hearing April 27.
5. April 15, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 1. Page 3873.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. April 6, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
7. March 26, 2026Set for hearing April 14.
8. February 26, 2026Referred to Com. on TRANS.
9. February 18, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 20.
10. February 17, 2026Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.