High-speed rail: contracts: small businesses.

Existing law, the California High-Speed Rail Act, creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed rail system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law, pursuant to 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. Under federal law, funding is made available for allocation nationally to high-speed rail and other related projects. This bill would require the authority to identify essential components of, and adopt, a small business enterprise program as part of contracts to be awarded by the authority relative to development and construction of the high-speed rail system and to adopt an oversight and accountability program for the small business enterprise program. The bill would require the authority to report annually to the Department of General Services and Legislature in that regard and post the report on its Internet Web site.