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, approved by the voters as Proposition 1A at the November 4, 2008, general election, provides for the issuance of $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for high-speed rail and related purposes. This bill, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, would require the authority to expend federal funds made available by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for specified high-speed rail purposes. The bill would require the authority to take various actions in that regard. The bill would also require the authority to submit to the Legislature and the Legislative Analyst an expenditure plan for the federal funds within 60 days of finalization of a cooperative agreement with the federal government. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations relative to federal funds to be made available to the state by ARRA for high-speed rail purposes. The bill would exempt the Transbay Transit Center project in San Francisco from these provisions. This bill would provide that it shall become operative only if A.B. 289 is also enacted.