High-speed rail: agricultural lands.

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. Various federal laws provide funding for allocation nationally to high-speed rail and other related projects. This bill would require the authority to appoint an agricultural advisory committee with 9 members from a list of nominees recommended by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. The bill would require the authority to consult with the committee and to reflect the committee's comments on authority policies and related matters in any action item brought before the board of the authority. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.