Photo by SFMTA Photography Department
Two state bills passed and were signed in September will improve transportation in San Francisco. Assembly Bill 2308, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, helps secure local funding for the Portal, Transbay Joint Powers Authority’s downtown rail extension. Senate Bill 1246, authored by Senator Dave Cortese, sets new emergency response requirements for autonomous vehicle companies.
AB 2308 (Haney) helps secure local funding for the Portal
The Portal will extend Caltrain, and future high-speed rail service, from Fourth and King streets to the Salesforce Transit Center.
Assemblymember Matt Haney’s AB 2308 bill authorizes the city to extend property tax revenue from formerly state-owned parcels around the Salesforce Transit Center through 2075. Securing this local funding helps strengthen the Portal’s funding plan and qualify for up to $3.4 billion through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program. The Transportation Authority has also committed $300 million in Prop L transportation sales tax funds to the project.
SB 1246 (Cortese) sets emergency rules for autonomous vehicles
State Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 1246 bill holds autonomous vehicle companies accountable when their vehicles interfere with emergency response. Under the new law, which takes effect in July 2028, companies must:
- Enable remote vehicle shutdown or movement by emergency officials
- Send a local technician when emergency officials ask for one
- Notify cities and counties when an outage affects their vehicles
- Track response times and provide quarterly reports to the state
- Use remote drivers who are in the U.S. and hold U.S. driver’s licenses
Companies can be fined up to $10,000 per vehicle if one blocks ambulances, fire trucks, or police for more than 30 minutes after officials ask for a technician. Other violations carry fines of up to $5,000. Cities and counties can also take legal action against companies that do not comply.
Transportation Authority staff will provide updates on both bills at the Transportation Authority’s Board meeting on November 10.