Federal transportation economic stimulus funds: 2nd round.

Existing law generally provides for programming and allocation of state and federal transportation capital improvement program funds pursuant to the state transportation improvement program process administered by the California Transportation Commission. Under these provisions, 25% of available funds are available for interregional improvement projects nominated by the Department of Transportation, subject to a requirement that 60% of these funds be available for projects in nonurbanized areas on the interregional road system and for intercity rail projects. The remaining 75% of available funds are available for regional improvement projects nominated by regional agencies. All funds programmed through the state transportation improvement program process are subject to the north-south split, and the regional improvement funds are further subject to the county shares formula. Existing law establishes special procedures and formulas for allocation and expenditure of federal transportation economic stimulus funds received by the state in 2009. This bill would require the Department of Transportation to work with local transportation agencies to develop a list of potential projects that may be awarded within a 90-day period of the award to the state of 2nd round federal transportation economic stimulus funds. The bill would require the department to submit a monthly status report to the Legislature, as specified, with respect to certain milestones for expenditure of these funds. The bill would make related legislative findings and declarations. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor to declare a fiscal emergency and to call the Legislature into special session for that purpose. The Governor issued a proclamation declaring a fiscal emergency, and calling a special session for this purpose, on January 8, 2010. This bill would state that it addresses the fiscal emergency declared by the Governor by proclamation issued on January 8, 2010, pursuant to the California Constitution.