Blogs

By: @Marcus Detwiler

Yesterday, June 1, the Board of Directors of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) adopted a revised 2026 Business Plan, inclusive of references to legislative proposals related to tax increment financing and land use authority for the High-Speed Rail Project.

CSDA spoke at the June 1 HSRA Board Meeting in-person under public comment stressing that tax increment financing should be limited to those affected taxing agencies that have provided their express, meaningful, and freely-given consent to participate. This testimony reinforced the concerns previously issued by CSDA, along with a coalition of local government organizations, in the comment letter submitted in connection with the 60-day public comment period. 

Discussion of the plan by the HSRA Board of Directors included comments relevant to concerns put forward by CSDA and local government stakeholders. Board Members Jason Elliott and Henry Perea as well as State Senator Anna Caballero made comments generally supportive of further collaboration with local government stakeholders. Ultimately, the HSRA Board voted unanimously to approve the 2026 Business Plan. 

The draft 2026 Business Plan was first posted to the HSRA website on February 28, 2026, opening a 60-day public comment period that concluded April 29. CSDA positioned at the forefront of the issue, speaking in-person under public comment at the March 2 Assembly Transportation Committee informational hearing, April 27 Senate Transportation Committee informational hearing, and May 7 Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee hearing.

The HSRA Business Plan is a document that is required by law to be updated by every even year. It provides a snapshot of the most current information about the High-Speed Rail Project at the time of adoption.

Sacramento NBC affiliate KCRA reported on April 29 that a spokesperson for the HSRA said the authority would formally send the finalized version of the Business Plan to the State Legislature by June 1 in part to align its legislative proposals with state budget negotiations.

CSDA will continue to engage with the HSRA and the State Legislature as the State Budget process and High-Speed Rail Project progress to ensure special district revenues are protected and that local control is safeguarded.