Executive Director’s Monthly Report, April 2026
First Look at Program Details for the 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly
New program details for the 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly are now available. Register online today to reserve your seat at the event.
The two-day program of panels, presentations, and discussions will feature leading thinkers and practitioners sharing about emerging trends and best practices. New details for two concurrent breakout sessions and a plenary session are now available on the event website.
The 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly is Southern California’s largest gathering of elected and industry leaders. Join SCAG May 7-8 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert to network and collaborate on the biggest challenges facing the region.
Visit the event website for more information or register online.
SCAG Joint Policy Committee Kicks off Connect SoCal 2050 Development Process
SCAG’s Joint Policy Committee met on April 9 for a staff presentation and discussion on the development process for the Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, scheduled for adoption in 2028.
During this meeting, members heard updates on data inputs for the next plan cycle. Initial analysis points to key shifts in regional growth, including slower population increases driven by aging demographics, lower birth rates, and reduced immigration. These trends will have implications for travel patterns, economic activity, and transportation funding. This stage of work will provide critical context for upcoming policy and strategy updates.
The Joint Policy Committee also reviewed SCAG’s “2026 State of the Region” report, which documents baseline conditions in the SCAG region to help identify emergent issues and future regional planning needs. The report tracks Southern California’s progress across implementing strategies related to the four pillars of Connect SoCal 2024: mobility, communities, environment, and economy.
SCAG staff also presented the Draft Policy Development Framework outlining how key policy updates will be shaped, in partnership with its policy committees and Regional Council, and the Joint Policy Committee authorized creation of a Connect SoCal 2050 Subcommittee to be launched this summer.
More information about the “2026 State of the Region” report, as well as the full report, is available on SCAG News.
Local Data Exchange: Guidelines and Overview
The SCAG Regional Council approved the “Local Data Exchange and Forecasted Development Pattern Guiding Principles” on April 9 and directed staff to begin the Local Data Exchange (LDX) process for the Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. The LDX process is the primary opportunity for local jurisdictions to provide input into the development of Connect SoCal’s regional growth forecast to inform regional planning with locally validated data and growth plans.
Through the LDX process, jurisdictions will review preliminary data and maps, provide updates to locally maintained information such as land use and development patterns, and complete a survey. One-on-one meetings with jurisdictions will begin in April 2026, and all input is due by Nov. 20 to inform modeling, policy development, and draft plan preparation in 2027.
The LDX process builds regional plans on accurate, locally informed data. The process strengthens alignment between local priorities and regional strategies—and will help Connect SoCal 2050 support both effective plan implementation and access to future funding opportunities.
Following the LDX process, SCAG will continue engaging stakeholders, working groups, and the public through plan development, with plan adoption anticipated in spring 2028.
SCAG Developing SB 79 Map for Region’s Qualifying Urban Transit Counties
SCAG is developing maps of transit-oriented development (TOD) zones and stops as required by Senate Bill (SB) 79, which establishes new transit-oriented development requirements. SB 79 included a requirement that metropolitan planning organizations, such as SCAG, map TOD zones and stops to be used by affected jurisdictions, known as qualifying “Urban Transit Counties,” to inform how they will implement this new legislation, effective July 1, 2026.
SCAG’s maps are informed by the “SB 79 Advisory Clarifications on Definitions for Metropolitan Planning Organizations” document published by the Department of Housing and Community Development, which provides guidance for metropolitan planning organizations’ mapping and affected jurisdictions implementing the new requirements.
SCAG expects to host an informational session for jurisdictions and transit operators in impacted jurisdictions later this spring before bringing the SB 79 map to the Regional Council in June. SCAG will share more information on this timeline as the map development progresses.
Regional Council Leaders Advocate for Southern California at Annual Sacramento Summit
Regional Council President Cindy Allen led a SCAG delegation to the state capital for the agency’s annual Sacramento Summit on March 16-17, 2026. This year’s trip focused on SCAG’s two sponsor bills, Senate Bill (SB) 1087 (Cabaldon) and Assembly Bill (AB) 2002 (Solache).
SB 1087 would modernize the framework in SB 375, the 2009 legislation that established the Sustainable Communities Strategy requirement for metropolitan planning organizations. Proposed changes would allow regions to more efficiently identify strategies to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and to implement those strategies to achieve reductions.
AB 2002 would codify the successful 2019 Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 1.0) grant program framework, which provided resources for SCAG to implement the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), deliver direct assistance to jurisdictions, create tools that streamlined housing element preparation, support accessory dwelling unit permitting, and advance fair housing. SCAG also advocated for a complementary $125 million one‑time budget request to implement the 7th RHNA cycle, which is slated to be the costliest in state history due to new requirements enacted by recent legislation.
To learn more about the summit programming and the state legislators and other state leaders visited by the SCAG delegation, visit SCAG News.
SCAG-Sponsored Bills Approved by Committees
On April 8, two SCAG-sponsored bills advanced through committees in the State Legislature.
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1087, authored by Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) and co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission-Association of Bay Area Governments, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and SCAG. SB 1087 would modernize the framework in SB 375, the 2009 legislation that established the sustainable communities strategy requirement for metropolitan planning organizations.
Senate Environmental Quality Committee members voting in support from the SCAG region include senators Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), Ben Allen (D-El Segundo), Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), and Caroline Menjivar (D-Van Nuys). SCAG Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director Darin Chidsey testified in support of SB 1087, joined by SANDAG Senior Director of Regional Planning Antoinette Meier.
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill (AB) 2002, authored by Assemblymember José Luis Solache.
AB 2002 is co-sponsored by SCAG and the California Association of Councils of Governments. AB 2002 would codify the successful 2019 Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 1.0) grant program—which provided resources for SCAG to implement the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, deliver direct assistance to jurisdictions, create tools that streamlined housing element preparation, support accessory dwelling unit permitting, and advance fair housing. Former Regional Council President Jan Harnik provided testimony at the hearing, as did SCAG Deputy Director of Planning Elizabeth Carvajal, who also answered various questions from the committee.
Read SCAG News to learn more about the Regional Council and SCAG staff’s efforts to advocate for these two bills earlier this month at the annual Sacramento Summit.
REAP Progress Continues Across Housing and Planning Initiatives
SCAG continues to make steady progress delivering the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant program, supporting projects that advance housing production, sustainability, and coordinated regional growth.
Recent REAP project milestones include the formation of a joint powers authority to establish the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, led by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and supported by REAP 2.0 funding from SCAG, which will help fund affordable housing development across participating cities. In addition, the city of Moorpark released its Draft Downtown Specific Plan for public comment with funding support from REAP 1.0; when complete, this specific plan will guide future growth and development in Moorpark.
Visit SCAG News to stay connected and learn more about REAP projects and milestones across the region.
Metro to Lead Region’s Federally Funded Transit Effort for FIFA World Cup
In April, the SCAG Regional Council voted to allocate $9.6 million in federal transit funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). This arrangement streamlines funding administration and will allow Metro to lead transit efforts to support this mega-event, directly reimbursing other transit operation partners.
In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Congress authorized a one-time funding allocation to assist host regions with transit services necessary to support the event. Congress appropriated $100 million nationally through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) distributed these funds to Urbanized Areas (UZAs) where host stadiums are located rather than directly to individual transit operators. Under this formula, the Los Angeles – Long Beach – Anaheim UZA received an apportionment of $9,603,284.
SCAG, as the designated recipient for the Los Angeles – Long Beach – Anaheim UZA, coordinated with Metro regarding regional transit planning and FTA funding administration. Metro will be the primary transit provider supporting the FIFA World Cup 2026 operations in the region.
Assigning the full apportionment to Metro allows the funding to be administered through a single grant recipient, helping streamline the federal grant process, reduce administrative burden, and ensure the region can meet the required federal deadlines. Metro developed “Regional Transit Provider Agreements” to reimburse participating operators for eligible transit services provided during the event.
SCAG Advances Regional TDM Planning for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
At a special April meeting, the Transportation Committee approved the LA28 Games Regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Approach, intended to guide development and delivery of both passenger and freight TDM strategies for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Regional TDM Approach outlines a shared vision, goals, and objectives, and high‑impact TDM strategies that SCAG will lead, support, partner, and amplify as the TDM lead agency for the Games Mobility Executives (GME). These strategies fall into four key areas: Regional Communications and Outreach, Regional Wayfinding, Mobility and Access Enhancements and Programs, and Regulatory and Operational Policies. SCAG staff plan to seek Regional Council approval of the Regional TDM Approach in May and return to the Transportation Committee and Regional Council in July with a final draft Regional TDM Strategy.
SCAG also hosted the Regional Passenger TDM and Freight Industry Forums on March 25, with more than 150 participants across both sessions. Attendees included representatives from LA28, GME partners, venue cities, transportation agencies, airports, ports, transportation management associations and organizations, and the freight industry. The Regional Passenger TDM Forum featured updates from LA28, key lessons from the Milano Cortina Winter Games, World Cup mobility planning insights, and an overview of the Games TDM strategy. The Freight Industry Forum included updates on LA28’s logistics planning and delivery protocols, Caltrans’ work on the Games Route Network, and SCAG’s efforts to identify high‑impact TDM strategies, including communications and outreach initiatives.
SCAG and GME partners continue to develop regionwide TDM resources to support local planning efforts for the LA28 Games. The “Games TDM Resource Guide,” an initial planning resource, was recently updated to incorporate World Cup planning efforts, new LA28 Games fan festival developments, and other mega‑event planning tools.
Sustainable Communities Strategy Successes and Challenges at the Joint Meeting of State Agencies
On April 9, SCAG, together with five other metropolitan planning organizations from across California, presented on the successes and challenges of implementing the Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) at the Joint Meeting of the California Transportation Commission, California Air Resources Board, and California Department of Housing and Community Development.
SCAG’s presentation focused on progress since its first SCS in 2012, with the region producing a greater diversity of housing types, more location-efficient housing development with lower average vehicle miles traveled per person, and an increasing share of new housing units near transit. Additionally, SCAG’s vision for highway investments in the region has evolved toward a focus on managed lanes, reconnecting communities, and freight safety and efficiency. Looking ahead, SCAG seeks to build on the successes of the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) and other grant programs to advance SCS implementation, continuing to support local jurisdictions in benefitting from available funding and resources while taking on the administrative burdens, particularly for low-resourced member communities with limited capacity.
SoCal Greenprint Nears Completion and Release
SCAG is on schedule to release the SoCal Greenprint tool in June 2026. The SoCal Greenprint is a web-mapping application that helps users make data-driven land use and transportation infrastructure decisions and support conservation investments.
Beta testing with local jurisdictions, county transportation commissions, and conservation and building sectors is underway. This testing will identify refinements to be integrated into the final version of the tool.
Following the release, the SoCal Greenprint will be presented at the July meeting of the Energy and Environment Committee. SCAG will also host a Toolbox Tuesday this summer to provide an in-depth demonstration of the tool.
Regional Planning Working Group to Support Connect SoCal 2050 Development
SCAG's Regional Planning Working Group (RPWG) is an open forum for collaboration and information sharing to support development of the Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Reflecting the intersectional nature of SCAG’s work, the RPWG brings together partners and stakeholders to discuss current projects, share best practices, and inform regional strategies that support local implementation of shared goals.
The RPWG will now host one meeting a month and focus on key topics such as safe and active streets, regional progress, housing, natural and farmlands conservation, and sustainable and resilient communities. Through these conversations, the RPWG helps shape SCAG’s planning efforts by incorporating diverse perspectives from across the region.
RPWG meetings are open to the public and designed for information sharing only. Participants do not vote or take positions on policy issues. Meetings are organized and facilitated by SCAG staff, with participation from stakeholders across state, regional, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, universities, and the business community.
Meetings are held remotely, typically on the second Tuesday of each month, with specific dates and times announced in advance. This ongoing forum will continue throughout the development of Connect SoCal 2050, with updates shared via a monthly newsletter.
Subscribe to join the RPWG newsletter.
SCAG Joins 2026 CALCOG Regional Leadership Forum
The 2026 Annual California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) Regional Leadership Forum (RLF) convened leaders from across California representing regional transportation planning agencies, councils of government, and stakeholder organizations. Hosted in Long Beach, this year’s event created a forum for peers to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and collaborate on strategies to advance the state’s regions.
The conference opened with remarks from SCAG former Regional Council President and current CALCOG President Jan Harnik, who introduced current Regional Council President Cindy Allen of the city of Long Beach. Regional Council President Allen welcomed attendees from across the state to her hometown and kicked off the program.
The first day featured a panel discussion on the Regional Early Action Planning grant program and creative approaches to sustaining redevelopment funding, led by SCAG Deputy Director of Planning Elizabeth Carvajal. Additional panels included discussions with California Transportation Commission Executive Director Tanisha Taylor, a session on transit delivery featuring Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins, and perspectives from the California Air Resources Board, among others.
The final day of the conference included a discussion on Senate Bill 375, focusing on the region’s progress toward meeting the legislation’s goals and the current realities facing implementation. Panelists also explored potential reforms to modernize SB 375 that could help achieve more meaningful and measurable impacts statewide. SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey joined CALCOG Executive Director Bill Higgins, Santa Barbara Council of Governments Planning Director Michael Becker, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments Deputy Executive Director Matt Maloney for the discussion.
SCAG Presents to VCTC on SCAG’s LA28 Games Support Efforts
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise gave a presentation to the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) on March 6 with information about SCAG’s efforts in support of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Ajise was joined by Bill Panos, senior vice president and head of transportation for LA28. VCTC members asked questions related to mobility, funding, and how cities can prepare for hosting visitors, watch parties, and other opportunities tied to the international event. SCAG Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson and Government Relations staff were also in attendance to support the presentation and discussion.
SCAG Presents to OCCOG on Regional Preparation for LA28 Games
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the Orange County Council of Governments Board of Directors meeting on March 26 to provide a presentation on the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The presentation demonstrates SCAG’s ongoing commitment to support partners throughout the region in delivering a successful LA28 Games. Ajise’s presentation included an estimate of the regional economic impact of the LA28 Games and explanation of SCAG’s role in the Games Mobility Executive Committee to develop transportation demand management strategies to keep the region moving throughout the summer of 2028.
SCAG Sponsors South Bay Cities' 26th Annual General Assembly
The 26th Annual General Assembly hosted by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments on March 26—with continued partnership and sponsorship support from SCAG—brought together regional leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to examine the South Bay’s emergence as a premier destination for global sports and entertainment events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through panel discussions and presentations, participants explored the economic opportunities, environmental considerations, and infrastructure demands associated with this rapid transformation.
The assembly emphasized the critical role of local government in balancing growth with livability, supporting local businesses, and ensuring long-term sustainability for residents. Overall, the event underscored the South Bay’s strategic preparation to welcome the world while preserving its unique coastal identity. SCAG Regional Council Member Mark Waronek (Lomita) and Policy Committee Member Britt Huff (Rolling Hills Estates) were in attendance.
