2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26107233D

HOUSE BILL NO. 200

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Transportation

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate McQuinn)

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.2-1526.3 and 33.2-3102 of the Code of Virginia and to amend and reenact the second enactment of Chapter 806 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024, relating to certain transit entities; funding and administration.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 33.2-1526.3 and 33.2-3102 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 33.2-1526.3. Transit Ridership Incentive Program.

A. The Board shall establish the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (the Program) to promote improved transit service in urbanized areas of across the Commonwealth with a population in excess of 100,000 and to reduce barriers to transit use for low-income individuals by encouraging the identification and establishment of routes of regional significance; supporting the establishment of programs to reduce the impact of fares on low-income individuals; encouraging innovative approaches to micromobility, paratransit, and other specialized transportation; and supporting local, regional, and state entities in improving the accessibility and safety of transit bus passenger facilities.

B. The goal of the Program shall be to encourage the identification and establishment of routes of regional significance, the development and implementation of a regional subsidy allocation model, implementation of integrated fare collection, establishment of bus-only lanes on routes of regional significance, and other actions and service determined by the Board to improve transit service.

C. The Board shall, in conjunction with the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee, establish guidelines for the implementation of the Program and review such guidelines, at a minimum, every five three years. The funds in the Program shall be awarded such that on a five-year rolling average, the amount of funds awarded to each urbanized area shall be equal to a ratio of the population within the Commonwealth of such urbanized area compared to the total population within the Commonwealth of all eligible urbanized areas. The Board may through an affirmative vote of a majority of the members vote to waive this requirement for a period not to exceed two years when they find there is a need that justifies such waiver.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Board shall use an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the funds available to support the establishment of programs to reduce the impact of fares on low-income individuals, including reduced-fare programs and elimination of fares. The restrictions in subsection A shall not apply to funds used pursuant to this subsection, nor shall the funds used pursuant to this subsection be used to calculate the rolling average described in subsection C.

E. The Board shall use at least 25 percent of the funds available to support regional transit initiatives. The Board shall use its discretion in allocating the remaining funds available as authorized pursuant to this section and based on the programs and initiatives submitted during the application process.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Board shall use an amount not to exceed 30 percent of the funds available to support local, regional, and state entities in improving the accessibility of transit bus passenger facilities and improving crime prevention and public safety for transit passengers, operators, and employees. The Board shall develop guidelines for applications, including relevant criteria and any requirement for matching funds, including any private grants and donations, for grants to any local, regional, or state public entity that supports a transit system. The restrictions in subsection A shall not apply to funds used pursuant to this subsection, nor shall the funds used pursuant to this subsection be used to calculate the rolling average described in subsection C.

G. C. The Board shall report annually by November 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly on the projects and services funded by the Program. The report shall, at a minimum, include an analysis of the performance of the funded projects, the performance of the identified routes of regional significance, transit ridership, efforts funded pursuant to subsection D the Program, and any other information the Board determines to be appropriate.

§ 33.2-3102. Virginia-specific requirements.

A. Members of the Board of Directors of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission for the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be appointed by the Governor of Virginia and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.

B. The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, shall engage his counterparts in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and the appropriate officials in the federal government for the purpose of revising the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact of 1966 and implementing other reforms necessary to ensure the near-term and long-term viability of the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA). In doing so, the Secretary shall develop, propose, and seek agreement on reforms related to the following: (i) the legal and organizational structure of WMATA; (ii) the composition and qualifications of the WMATA Board of Directors and the length of terms of its members; (iii) labor costs and labor relations; (iv) measures necessary to resolve WMATA's unfunded pension liability and other postemployment benefits; (v) measures necessary to better ensure the safety of riders and employees, including safety in the event of a homeland security emergency in the national capital area; and (vi) financial and operational improvements necessary to ensure that WMATA's performance is at least as efficient as its closest comparable transit systems in the United States. The Secretary shall report to and consult quarterly beginning June 30, 2017, with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation Committees regarding activity taken in accordance with this subsection.

2. That the second enactment of Chapter 806 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024 is amended and reenacted as follows:

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2027 2028.