Department of Transportation: Innovative Delivery Team Demonstration Program.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of the state highway system. Existing law creates the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority with various transportation responsibilities in the County of Santa Clara. This bill would, by July 1, 2013, require the department and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding to implement the Innovative Delivery Team Demonstration Program, which would, until January 1, 2020, provide a different business model for the application of advanced technologies with the goal of delivering transportation projects and services in the County of Santa Clara in a more responsive, cost-effective, and efficient manner. The bill would require the demonstration program to serve as a mechanism for testing innovative approaches for improving project delivery and local assistance. The bill would require the department to assign specified personnel to the demonstration program. The bill would also require the authority to provide space, equipment, and other resources, as specified, to the demonstration program. The bill would require the authority to carry out, for purposes of implementing the demonstration program, specified responsibilities for state highway projects in the County of Santa Clara. The bill would require the authority to manage the local assistance process, for purposes of implementing the demonstration program, in the County of Santa Clara. The bill would require the demonstration program to adhere to all applicable federal rules and regulations, as specified. The bill would require the authority, in consultation with the department, to evaluate the effectiveness of the demonstration program and to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2015, and by July 1, 2018, on specified matters. By requiring the authority to participate in this demonstration program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also declare the intent of the Legislature in this regard. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.