California Assembly Bill AB1747 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1747INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Galgiani FEBRUARY 8, 2010 An act to amend Section 185036 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to high-speed rail. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1747, as introduced, Galgiani. High-Speed Rail Authority. Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with specified powers and duties relating to the development and implementation of an intercity high-speed rail system. Existing law, pursuant to the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, authorizes $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for high-speed rail development and other related purposes. This bill would authorize the authority to consider, to the extent permitted by federal and state law, the creation of jobs in California when awarding major contracts or purchasing high-speed trains, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 185036 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 185036.  Upon approval by the Legislature, by the enactment of a statute, or approval by the voters of a financial plan providing the necessary funding for the construction of a high-speed network, the   The  authority may do any of the following: (a) Enter into contracts with private or public entities for the design, construction and operation of high-speed trains. The contracts may be separated into individual tasks or segments or may include all tasks and segments, including a design-build or design-build-operate contract. (b) Acquire rights-of-way through purchase or eminent domain. (c) Issue debt, secured by pledges of state funds, federal grants, or project revenues. The pledge of state funds shall be limited to those funds expressly authorized by statute or voter-approved initiatives. (d) Enter into cooperative or joint development agreements with local governments or private entities. (e) Set fares and schedules. (f) Relocate highways and utilities.  (g) Consider, to the extent permitted by federal law and all other applicable provisions of state law, the creation of jobs in California when awarding major contracts or purchasing high-speed trains and related equipment and supplies.