ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: ATT DPA 7-3-0-0 | Third Read 19-9-4-0

SB 1332: light rail expansion; feasibility review

Sponsor: Senator Kavanagh, LD 3

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

Overview

Restricts this state from providing state participation for any light rail construction project. Mandates the Auditor General (AG) to conduct a feasibility review (review) of light rail expansion on Maricopa County, by January 1, 2028. Outlines the review's rules and requirements.

History

Beginning in 2010 and every fifth year thereafter, the AG must conduct a performance audit, of the plan and projects scheduled for funding during the next five years.

With respect to light rail systems, the audit must consider the criteria used by the federal transit administration pursuant to 49 United States Code section 5309(e)(1)(B ) and the interrelationship among the criteria to provide federal funding for light rail systems. For light rail systems, the audit must also consider service levels, capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, transit ridership and farebox revenues.

The audit must: 1) examine the plan and projects scheduled for funding within each transportation mode based on the performance factors, in the context of the transportation system; 2) review past expenditures of the plan and examine the performance of the system in relieving congestion and improving mobility; and 3) make recommendations regarding whether further implementation of a project or transportation system is warranted, warranted with modifications or not warranted (A.R.S. § 28-6313).

Notwithstanding any other law, public monies may not be used to extend light rail service in Phoenix to the area with a boundary of 17th Avenue on the east, Adams Street on the north, 18th Avenue on the west and Jefferson Street on the south and any property that is within 50 linear yards of this area (A.R.S. § 28-9204).

Provisions

1. Prohibits this state, notwithstanding any other law, to provide state participation for any light rail construction project. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires the AG, in coordination with an independent transportation research entity, to conduct a comprehensive review of light rail expansion in Maricopa County, by January 1, 2028. (Sec. 1)

3. Lists review requirements to include:

a. capital and operating cost comparisons between a light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, including bus rapid transit, passenger vans and shuttle systems;

b. environmental impact per dollar invested for acquiring, constructing and operating a light rail;

c. ridership trends and post-pandemic usage patterns;

d. flexibility scalability and adaptability to population shifts;

e. long-term maintenance and replacement costs;

f. policy recommendations regarding future state involvement in light rail construction; and

g. analysis of whether continuation, modification or discontinuation of state participation in light rail expansion is warranted. (Sec. 1)

4. Prohibits the review to presume the superiority of any mode of transport. (Sec. 1)

5. Stipulates reporting requirement of light rail expansion finding and outlines reporting rules. (Sec. 1)

6. Repeals the act on July 1, 2028. (Sec. 1)

7. Defines pertinent terms. (Sec. 1)

10. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

11. Initials LM/IC SB 1332

12. 3/18/2026 Page 0 Transportation & Infrastructure

13.

14. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------