High-speed rail.

Existing law, the California High-Speed Rail Act, creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with 9 members to develop and implement a high-speed train system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law, pursuant to that act, specifies the powers and duties of the authority, which include entering into contracts with private and public entities for the design, construction, and operation of high-speed trains, the acquisition of rights-of-way through purchase or eminent domain, and the relocation of highways and utilities, among other things. Existing law requires the authority to adopt and submit to the Legislature, every 2 years, a business plan. Existing law authorizes the authority to appoint an executive director, and authorizes the Governor to appoint up to 6 additional persons exempt from civil service. Existing law provides for the authority to establish an independent peer review group. 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 would repeal all of the provisions of the California High-Speed Rail Act. The bill would enact a new California High-Speed Rail Act. The bill would continue the High-Speed Rail Authority in existence with limited responsibilities and would place the authority within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. The 5 members of the authority appointed by the Governor would be subject to Senate confirmation, but existing members could continue to serve the remainder of their terms. The bill would authorize the authority to appoint an executive director, and would provide for the Governor to appoint up to 6 additional individuals exempt from civil service as authority staff. The bill would require the authority to adopt policies directing the development and implementation of high-speed rail, prepare and adopt a business plan and high-speed train capital program, establish a peer review group, select alignments for the routes of the high-speed train system established by law, adopt criteria for the award of franchises, and set fares or establish guidelines for the setting of fares. The bill would enact other related provisions.