Workforce development program: high-speed rail.

Existing law, the California High-Speed Train Act, creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed train system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law, the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, provides for the issuance of $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for high-speed rail and related purposes. This bill would require the authority to contract with the Employment Development Department to develop a labor market assessment of the workforce and identify the education and skills needed for construction, operation, and maintenance of the high-speed train system. The bill, in that regard, would require the department to consult and work cooperatively with the Mineta Transportation Institute at the California State University at San Jose and to consult with other workforce assessment efforts, as specified. The bill would require the authority and the department to form an advisory committee, as specified, to advise the authority and the department on the availability of skilled labor relative to the high-speed train project and on options for workforce training programs in that regard. The bill would require the labor market assessment to be submitted to the Legislature and incorporated into the authority's biennial revised business plan. This bill would appropriate $500,000 from the High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Fund to the authority for these purposes, as specified. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations.