Bill
AB 2560
AB 2560 requires applying CAPTI goals to transportation investments to advance multimodal, low-emission, equitable, and climate-resilient project selection and delivery.
Purpose and intent
- AB 2560 would establish and codify specific climate and health goals for California’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) and require that applicable transportation projects consider and implement CAPTI goals where feasible.
- The bill focuses on integrating multimodal mobility, decarbonization, equity, safety, and climate risk assessment into transportation planning and project delivery, with a “fix-it-first” approach guiding funding decisions.
Key provisions and changes
- Creation of CAPTI Chapter (Chapter 3, added to Government Code):
- Establishes CAPTI goals (subdivision b) to be deployed where feasible to meet stated objectives. Goals include:
1) Build an integrated statewide rail and transit network, leveraging existing State Rail Plan and the California Integrated Travel Project for multimodal travel options.
2) Invest in safe, accessible bicycle and pedestrian networks; close gaps in the State Highway System that intersect local networks; prioritize low-income and disadvantaged communities.
3) Include zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure (light-, medium-, heavy-duty) as part of larger projects; support ZEV market development and ensure access in rural/remote areas.
4) Reduce health and economic harms in disadvantaged and low-income communities; involve these communities early in decisionmaking.
5) Improve safety to move toward zero fatalities/injuries; emphasize context-appropriate speeds and safe systems design.
6) Integrate climate risk assessments as standard practice in transportation projects, focusing on vulnerable communities.
7) Reduce reliance on passenger vehicle travel when feasible in congested urban settings; seek alternatives to highway expansion; emphasize multimodal options, pricing, and operations optimization.
8) Promote compact infill development near job centers to reduce housing-transport cost burden and auto trips; protect against displacement.
9) Develop zero-emission freight systems; reduce environmental justice impacts; enhance freight efficiency and multimodal design.
10) Protect natural and working lands; align investments with conservation priorities.
Application of CAPTI goals to programs (subdivision c): If feasible, CAPTI goals apply to:
CAPTI goal updates (subdivision d): Agency may update CAPTI goals via public workshop and 30-day informal public comment; updates released to Legislature. Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to these updates.
Section 14526 and related sections amended to require that, where feasible, ITIP and other program projects apply CAPTI goals in a fix-it-first manner.
Section 75221 (Public Resources Code) updated for CAPTI alignment in rail, bus, ferry funding decisions; requires emissions reduction as a condition of funding eligibility; sets a programmatic goal of at least 25% of funding to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities; includes a broad set of co-benefits and evaluation criteria (VMT reduction, housing near stations, ridership, health, etc.).
Emphasis on project evaluation criteria: geographic equity, partnerships across agencies, consistency with sustainable community strategies or regional plans, and consideration of nonstate funding commitments.
Section 2033 (Streets and Highways Code) guidance for fund allocation may include streamlined delivery tools like letters of no prejudice, with reimbursement contingent on future funding.
CAPTI goals would be used to assess and prioritize trade infrastructure projects, balancing urgency, mobility, safety, emissions reductions, economic impact, and disadvantaged community considerations (including velocity, throughput, reliability, and congestion reduction metrics).
Sections 2381.5 and 2392.5 added to Streets and Highways Code: projects funded under CAPTI alignment must apply fix-it-first CAPTI goals where feasible.
Affected entities and beneficiaries
- State Transportation Agency (the Transportation Agency) would oversee CAPTI goals, updates, and alignment of state transportation programs.
- State departments and commissions involved in funding and project delivery (California Transportation Commission, Department of Transportation, regional transportation agencies, counties, cities, port authorities) would implement CAPTI goals in project selection and delivery.
- Disadvantaged and low-income communities statewide would be the focus of enhanced benefits, reductions in emissions, and equity targets (at least 25% of funding directed to projects benefiting these communities).
Procedural and timeline aspects
- CAPTI goals are to be established and may be updated periodically by the Transportation Agency through a public process (workshops and a 30-day informal comment period).
- Updates to CAPTI goals are exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act for the updating process.
- The bill adds CAPTI alignment requirements to major funding programs, with ongoing applicability as projects are planned and funded (no single definitive funding year specified; the framework applies to future allocations under the described programs).
Effective date
- The bill reflects amendments during the 2025–2026 session and includes a “Amended” status as of April 15, 2026, indicating it was amended and moved through committee stages for consideration.
Overall, AB 2560 seeks to embed climate, health, equity, and safety considerations into California’s transportation investment framework, using CAPTI as the guiding set of goals for project selection and delivery across major funding programs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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