California Assembly Bill AB2563 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2563AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Allen FEBRUARY 21, 2014 An act  relating to economic development   to amend Section 13978.8 of the Government Code, relating to transportation  . LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2563, as amended, Allen.  International trade.   State freight plan.   Existing law requires the Transportation Agency to prepare a state freight plan on or before December 31, 2014, and every 5 years thereafter, with specified elements to govern the immediate and long-range planning activities and capital investments of the state with respect to the movement of freight. Existing law requires the agency to establish a freight advisory committee with various responsibilities in that regard, and requires the membership of the committee to consist of a representative cross section of public and private sector stakeholders.   This bill would require the Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, or his or her designee, to serve on the freight advisory committee and attend meetings and participate in the activities of the committee, including efforts to develop the state freight plan.   Existing law requires the Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to create a strategy for international trade and investment, that includes, but is not limited to, police goals, objectives, and recommendations necessary to implement a comprehensive international trade and investment program for the state.   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would promote international trade by addressing issues that enhance and expand opportunities for California businesses.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 13978.8 of the   Government Code   is amended to read:  13978.8. (a) The Transportation Agency shall prepare a state freight plan. The state freight plan shall comply with the relevant provisions of the federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141. The agency shall develop a state freight plan that provides a comprehensive plan to govern the immediate and long-range planning activities and capital investments of the state with respect to the movement of freight. (b) (1) The agency shall establish a freight advisory committee consisting of a representative cross section of public and private sector freight stakeholders, including representatives of ports, shippers, carriers, freight-related associations, the freight industry workforce, the California Transportation Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Public Utilities Commission, the State Lands Commission, the State Air Resources Board, regional and local governments, and environmental, safety, and community organizations.  The Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, or his or her designee, shall serve on the freight advisory committee and attend meetings and participate in the activities of the committee, including efforts to develop the state freight plan.  (2) The freight advisory committee shall do all of the following: (A) Advise the agency on freight-related priorities, issues, projects, and funding needs. (B) Serve as a forum for discussion for state transportation decisions affecting freight mobility. (C) Communicate and coordinate regional priorities with other organizations. (D) Promote the sharing of information between the private and public sectors on freight issues. (E) Participate in the development of the state freight plan. (c) The state freight plan shall include, at a minimum, all of the following: (1) An identification of significant freight system trends, needs, and issues. (2) A description of the freight policies, strategies, and performance measures that will guide freight-related transportation investment decisions. (3) A description of how the state freight plan will improve the ability of California to meet the national freight goals established under Section 167 of Title 23 of the United States Code. (4) Evidence of consideration of innovative technologies and operational strategies, including intelligent transportation systems, that improve the safety and efficiency of freight movement. (5) In the case of routes on which travel by heavy vehicles, including mining, agricultural, energy cargo or equipment, and timber vehicles, is projected to substantially deteriorate the condition of roadways, a description of improvements that may be required to reduce or impede the deterioration. (6) An inventory of facilities with freight mobility issues, such as truck bottlenecks within California, and a description of the strategies California is employing to address those freight mobility issues. (d) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5, the state freight plan shall be submitted to the Legislature, the Governor, the California Transportation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, and the State Air Resources Board on or before December 31, 2014, and every five years thereafter. The state freight plan shall be submitted pursuant to Section 9795. (e) The state freight plan required by this section may be developed separately from, or incorporated into, the statewide strategic long-range transportation plan required by Section 135 of Title 23 of the United States Code. (f) The  freight   rail  element of the state freight plan may be developed separately from, or incorporated into, the state rail plan prepared by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 14036.  SECTION 1.   It is the intent of the Legislature that would enact legislation to promote international trade by addressing issues that enhance and expand opportunities for California businesses.