(a) The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program is hereby created to provide operating and capital assistance for transit agencies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and improve mobility, with a priority on serving disadvantaged communities. (b) Funding for the program is continuously appropriated pursuant to Section 39719 of the Health and Safety Code from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), funding shall be allocated by the Controller on a formula basis consistent with the requirements of this part and with Section 39719 of the Health and Safety Code, upon a determination by the Department of Transportation that the expenditures proposed by a recipient transit agency meet the requirements of this part and guidelines developed pursuant to this section, and that the amount of funding requested is currently available. (2) For the portion of funding allocated pursuant to paragraph (1) under the formula set forth in Section 99314 of the Public Utilities Code, the Controller shall allocate that funding for the 2019â20 to 2025â26, inclusive, fiscal years based on the individual operator ratios described in Section 99314.10 of the Public Utilities Code. (d) A recipient transit agency shall demonstrate that each expenditure of program moneys allocated to the agency reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. (e) A recipient transit agency shall demonstrate that each expenditure of program moneys does not supplant another source of funds. (f) Moneys for the program shall be expended to provide transit operating or capital assistance that meets any of the following: (1) Expenditures that directly enhance or expand transit service by supporting new or expanded bus or rail services, new or expanded waterborne transit, or expanded intermodal transit facilities, and may include equipment acquisition, fueling, and maintenance, and other costs to operate those services or facilities. (2) Operational expenditures that increase transit mode share. (3) Expenditures related to the purchase of zero-emission buses, including electric buses, and the installation of the necessary equipment and infrastructure to operate and support these zero-emission buses. (g) (1) For a recipient transit agency whose service area includes disadvantaged communities, as identified pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code, at least 50 percent of the total moneys received pursuant to this part shall be expended on projects or services that meet the requirements of subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) and benefit the disadvantaged communities, as identified consistent with the guidance developed by the State Air Resources Board pursuant to Section 39715 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) The requirement of paragraph (1) is waived if the recipient transit agency expends the funding provided pursuant to this section on any of the following: (A) New or expanded transit service that connects with transit service serving disadvantaged communities, as identified pursuant to Section 39711 of, or in low-income communities, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 39713 of, the Health and Safety Code. (B) Transit fare subsidies and network and fare integration technology improvements, including, but not limited to, discounted or free student transit passes. (C) The purchase of zero-emission transit buses and supporting infrastructure. (3) Expenditures made pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be deemed to have met all applicable requirements established pursuant to Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code. (4) This section does not require a recipient transit agency to provide individual rider data to the Department of Transportation or to the State Air Resources Board. (h) The Department of Transportation, in coordination with the State Air Resources Board, shall develop guidelines that describe the methodologies that a recipient transit a
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