Executive Director’s Monthly Report, March 2026
SCAG Highlights Progress Under Resilience Resolution, Releases New Toolkit to Support Jurisdictions’ Resilience Efforts
The SCAG Regional Council received an update about ongoing resilience efforts that support strategies outlined in the Resilience Action Resolution, adopted by the Regional Council last June following regional discussions in response to the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires.
The meeting featured a panel discussion highlighting innovative uses of tax increment financing in Pacific Palisades and the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains, with panelists Craig Bullock from Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park’s office, Larry Kosmont of Kosmont Companies, and Julia Orozco from the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Speakers discussed how tax increment financing tools can support recovery, reinvestment, and long‑term resilience and highlighted coordinated city-county efforts to strengthen rebuilding strategies across fire‑impacted communities.
As part of work under this resolution, SCAG also released the Regional Resilience Toolkit to support jurisdictions with planning, funding, and implementing resilience initiatives. The toolkit is intended for use by any community, city, or county in Southern California, regardless of size, population, experience in resilience planning, or direct encounters with today’s shocks and stressors. SCAG staff presented the toolkit at the March Energy and Environment Committee meeting. Concurrently, SCAG also published the “Water Resolution White Paper,” which evaluates shared water management challenges and identifies opportunities for stronger coordination, investment, and technical support across jurisdictions. Learn more about the Regional Resilience Toolkit and “Water Resolution White Paper” at SCAG News.
Lasting Affordability Program Round 2 Awards Announced
The SCAG Regional Council, on March 5, approved an allocation of $20 million to support five innovative housing finance projects. Funding for these grants comes from funding awarded to SCAG under the state’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant program.
The second round of Lasting Affordability Regional Program funding targets existing housing trusts and catalyst funds to expand finance tools and lending products that create supply, choice, and ongoing affordability through a mix of housing types and price ranges, including for households at or below area median income.
By investing in established housing trusts and catalyst funds with demonstrated capacity, SCAG is helping to accelerate housing production and preservation while ensuring long-term affordability.
For more information on the Lasting Affordability Program, including the full awardee list, visit SCAG News.
SCAG Program Continues Steady Progress
SCAG staff provided a progress report on the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program during the Regional Council’s March meeting, with specific project highlights from the past quarter. SCAG’s REAP 2.0 program invested in innovative finance, land use, and transportation strategies to realize the vision of Connect SoCal. SCAG continues to work with grantees to make steady progress delivering the $231.5 million REAP 2.0 program. This month’s Regional Council action to award $20 million under the second phase of the Lasting Affordability program will add to the resources invested to boost housing production in the region and maximize the impact of this program. The full summary of the program’s status is now available in the REAP 2.0 Program Update staff report.
SCAG to Sponsor AB 2002; New Bill Would Establish REAP in State Law
The SCAG Regional Council voted to sponsor Assembly Bill (AB) 2002, introduced in February by Assemblymember Jose Solache (D-Lynwood), former SCAG Regional Council member and Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee chair.
If approved by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, AB 2002 would establish the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant program as law allowing the state to allocate funds to begin each RHNA cycle. AB 2002 would also allow councils of government and other metropolitan planning organizations to invest in eligible uses (e.g., planning, technical assistance, infrastructure-related planning).
Read more about AB 2002, next steps, and SCAG’s role in supporting housing production in the region on SCAG News.
Regional Council Approves Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27
At its March 2026 meeting, SCAG’s Regional Council moved to approve SCAG’s Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, including the Draft Overall Work Program (OWP). The framework for developing the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Draft Comprehensive Budget is SCAG’s multi-year Strategic Plan, which focuses on the agency’s vision for improving the organization and its operations.
The Regional Council’s vote also authorized the release of the Draft OWP for a 30-day period of public review from March 5 to April 6. Comments may be submitted by completing the comment form or emailed to nguyenk@scag.ca.gov.
At the close of the public comment period, staff will review all comments and incorporate where appropriate before taking the Final OWP to the Regional Council for approval on May 7. On the same day, the General Fund Budget and the Membership Assessment will be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
Regional Council Approves Last Mile Freight Program Rebate Program Awards
The SCAG Regional Council, on March 5, approved $871,000 in Last Mile Freight Program Rebate Program funding for three projects to purchase Class 4/5 battery-electric vehicles.
The Last Mile Freight Program Rebate Program provides funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered as part of South Coast Air Quality Management District’s INVEST CLEAN program. The goal is to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks, reduce emissions, and improve regional air quality.
SCAG and the South Coast Air Quality Management District are also preparing program adjustments for when the program reopens in July.
For more information on the Last Mile Freight Program Rebate Program, including the awardee list, read the full staff report.
Regional Council Approves Regional Guidelines for the 2027 Active Transportation Program
At its March 2026 meeting, SCAG’s Regional Council approved Regional Guidelines for the 2027 Regional Active Transportation Program (ATP). The guidelines outline the process by which SCAG, in collaboration with the California Transportation Commission (CTC) and the six county transportation commissions within the SCAG region, will recommend funding awards for the 2027 Regional ATP, estimated to have nearly $129 million in available funding.
The CTC is anticipated to hold the statewide ATP call for projects from March 20 to June 22. Eligible applicants must submit an application to the Statewide ATP to be considered for funding through the Regional ATP. The ATP Statewide Guidelines and application portal will be available on the CTC webpage following adoption of the Statewide Guidelines at the March 19-20 CTC meeting.
SCAG staff will continue to work with the region’s county transportation commissions, the CTC, Caltrans, and other partners to outreach to eligible applicants with information on ATP funding opportunities and offer technical assistance, resources, and support to facilitate regional competitiveness. More details will be shared on the SCAG website as they become available.
SoCal Greenprint Moves to Final Phase
The SoCal Greenprint, a data tool that uses publicly available sources to inform city and county land use and transportation planning, is moving into the final phase of development. SCAG has begun outreach to agency staff and business and environmental representatives of the Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee, the group that provided critical input on the adopted data standards, to test the beta version of the tool. Their input will inform the subsequent tool to be developed and released in June. This summer, SCAG will provide a demonstration of the tool to the Energy and Environment Committee and host a Toolbox Tuesday with a tour of the tool.
SCAG Joins ‘Big Four’ MPOs to Call for SB 375 Reform
Collaboration among California’s four largest metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) has led to the introduction of Senate Bill (SB) 1087 by State Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo). This bill seeks to modernize and strengthen planning processes instituted under SB 375 (Steinberg, 2008), which required California’s 18 MPOs to develop sustainable communities strategies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets related to the use of cars and light-duty trucks for 2020 and 2035, as determined by the California Air Resources Board.
SB 375 improved integration of housing, land use, and transportation planning, but significant changes over the past 15 years have exposed limitations in the existing framework. The state’s four largest MPOs—the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, San Diego Association of Governments, and SCAG—developed recommendations for modernizing SB 375 included in this new bill to better align housing, transportation, and climate policies.
Implications of Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding Reversal
On Feb. 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) signed a final rule rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding which had served as foundational legal and scientific basis for federal regulation of GHG emissions from motor vehicles. The final rule, published in the Federal Register (91 FR 03157), becomes effective April 20.
The decision signals a shift in the U.S. EPA’s authority over federal climate policy and leadership. Once in effect, the rule eliminates all federal GHG emission standards and associated programs for new motor vehicles, including light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles (for model year 2012-27 and beyond). The U.S. EPA states the repeal would remove current and future manufacturer obligations to measure, report, and comply with federal GHG standards, including obligations affecting previously manufactured model years. The rule does not change vehicle standards and programs related to criteria pollutants and air toxics, or federal fuel economy testing and labeling requirements.
SCAG is evaluating the direct impacts on the region and its local jurisdictions. California’s statutory framework for GHG reduction remains in effect, including Assembly Bill 32 and Senate Bills 32 and 375—the legislation that guides metropolitan planning organizations while developing regional transportation plans and sustainable communities strategies. These laws continue to bind SCAG and its planning programs, including the work around the upcoming Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
The repeal could have implications for California's vehicle emission program, which will be assessed over time.
SCAG will continue to monitor and report significant updates.
‘SCAG Region Transportation Project Development Process’ Toolbox Tuesday Recap
On Feb. 10, SCAG hosted the “SCAG Region Transportation Project Development Process” Toolbox Tuesday session. The session presented an overview and introduction to the SCAG region transportation planning process, focusing on transportation project development through the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP). This session helped to demystify the general programming process and the integration of transportation projects with Connect SoCal and the FTIP.
Video of the session is available on YouTube.
SCAG Releases ‘Transportation Trends Report' to Assess the Southern California Mobility
SCAG recently published the “Transportation Trends Report: December 2025,” the latest edition of SCAG’s biannual assessment of transit ridership statistics, roadway performance measures, and commuting patterns. This latest report reviews data through December 2025.
In the report, SCAG analyzes 27 transit agencies based on their operational scale and the availability of consistent and comparable ridership data. Transit ridership and vehicle miles traveled in the SCAG region have continued to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, though patterns vary by mode. Across all transit modes, bus ridership has led the recovery, followed by light and heavy rail, while commuter rail has been the slowest to return to pre-pandemic ridership levels.
During this same period, overall vehicle miles traveled for automobile traffic is at 98 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Remote work continues to be a key factor in travel trends; approximately 33 percent of workdays were performed from home over the last year, contributing to reduced peak-hour demand across all travel modes.
Read the “Transportation Trends Report: December 2025” online for a complete report on the state of Southern California mobility.
City of Los Angeles Completes Warner Center Active Transportation Hub Plan
The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) in February completed the Warner Center Active Transportation Hub Plan, funded through the Sustainable Communities Program - Civic Engagement, Equity, and Environmental Justice call for projects.
The plan reimagines Warner Center as a connected transportation hub for jobs and housing by promoting walking and biking, identifying active transportation barriers, defining priority investments, and including designs for a connected active transportation system throughout the Warner Center area. The plan advances 30 key priority projects to improve walking and biking in Warner Center, concept plans for the three top-priority projects, and a strategy to leverage funding opportunities to support implementation.
SCAG Visits State Capital for Mobility 21 Advocacy Trip
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey traveled to Sacramento in February as members of Mobility 21’s annual Sacramento trip. Over the course of two days, the delegation met with legislators and state agency staff to share the transportation priorities of the SCAG region, including a meeting with Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary.
During the trip, the group advocated for modernizing Senate Bill (SB) 375 (Steinberg, 2008), a landmark legislation that created the sustainable communities strategy process for the state’s metropolitan planning organizations. California’s four largest metropolitan planning organizations, responsible for the sustainable communities strategy in the state’s most populous regions, are working with stakeholders across the state on legislative efforts to modernize SB 375 to create stronger tools for regions to implement the sustainable communities strategy and support achievement of state and local policy goals.
Los Angeles County COG Leadership Group Visits SCAG
SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena hosted the Los Angeles County Council of Governments (COG) Leadership Group at SCAG’s Downtown Los Angeles headquarters on Feb. 19. The group includes executive directors representing the Gateway Cities, Las Virgenes–Malibu, South Bay Cities, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and Westside Cities COGs.
The discussion underscored the importance of strong regional collaboration in shaping policy decisions and advancing implementation efforts across Los Angeles County. SCAG partners with subregions to enhance transportation, expand housing opportunities, advance sustainability goals, and improve quality of life for the nine million people living in Los Angeles County.
SCAG Participates in California Transportation Foundation’s Annual Transportation Forum
On Feb. 19, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise moderated a panel titled “The Perfect Storm: How Challenges for Higher Education and Research, the Economy and the Workforce Will Impact Transportation” at the California Transportation Foundation’s (CTF) annual Transportation Forum. The panel examined how declining federal research funding, workforce retirements, and economic uncertainty are reshaping the transportation industry, while underscoring SCAG’s leadership in aligning regional planning with California’s priorities, which include clean mobility, goods movement, workforce development, and innovation.
The SCAG-sponsored discussion featured leading voices from top California universities, including Victoria Deguzman, Ph.D., of the Institute of Transportation Studies at University of California, Irvine; Hilary Nixon, Ph.D., of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University; and Tyler Reeb, Ph.D., of the Center for International Trade and Transportation at California State University, Long Beach.
The CTF’s Transportation Forum convenes state policymakers and transportation leaders. The 2026 conference focused on the impact of emerging technologies on safety and user experience, as well as what lies ahead for California transportation.
SCAG Featured at UC-ITS Mobility 10x Summit
On Feb. 6, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise was a featured speaker and panelist at the University of California Institute of Transportation Studies’ Mobility 10x Summit: “Accelerating Transportation Innovation Across California.” Ajise was joined by transportation leaders on the program’s closing panel to discuss ideas for improving mobility and access. He shared practical perspectives on transportation policy and innovation, with a focus on regional governance, creative funding strategies, and affordable and equitable outcomes.
SCAG Visits USC Collaborative Governance Class
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise traveled to the University of Southern California to provide a lecture to Professor Frank Zerunyan’s graduate-level course on collaborative governance. During the lecture, Ajise provided an overview of the importance of regional planning and various regional trends, the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and various programs at SCAG to support students and early career professionals. Frank Zerunyan is the mayor of Rolling Hills Estates and a member of SCAG’s Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee. Mayor Zerunyan also shared plans to bring his class to SCAG’s March Regional Council meeting to help them develop a greater understanding of SCAG’s work.
SCAG Hosts Session of California Academy of Regional Leaders
The California Association of Councils of Governments held a session of its California Academy of Regional Leaders (CARL) program at SCAG’s offices on Feb. 12 and 13. This seven-month academy for mid-career professionals is specifically for staff working in regional government, with participants from MPOs and transportation agencies across the state.
During the session, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined staff from SCAG and Metro on a panel to answer questions about preparations for the LA28 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following the panel, Metro hosted CARL participants on a tour of the future Los Angeles World Cup 26 fan zone sites at Los Angeles Union Station and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
Go Human Presents at the California Office of Traffic Safety Champion Grant Program Webinar
On Feb. 5, Go Human staff presented an overview of the SCAG Go Human Community Streets Grant Program at the California Office of Traffic Safety Champion Grant Program Webinar. The Traffic Safety Champion Program, a community-based initiative, aims to promote awareness about road safety. Go Human staff presented to peer agencies, practitioners, and other stakeholders to highlight its work, process, outcomes, and resources. Co-panelists included Latino Health Access, showcasing the relationship between public and peer agencies and involvement between government and local organizations to promote traffic safety messaging.
