Department of Transportation: environmental review process: federal pilot program.

Existing law gives the Department of Transportation full possession and control of the state highway system. Existing federal law requires the United States Secretary of Transportation to carry out a surface transportation project delivery pilot program, under which the participating states assume certain responsibilities for environmental review and clearance of transportation projects that would otherwise be the responsibility of the federal government. Existing law requires the department to submit a report to the Legislature regarding state and federal environmental review. Existing law requires the report to be submitted no later than January 1, 2009, and again, no later than January 1, 2011. This bill would, instead, require the report to be submitted no later than January 1, 2016. Existing law, until January 1, 2012, provides that the State of California consents to the jurisdiction of the federal courts with regard to the compliance, discharge, or enforcement of the responsibilities it assumed as a participant in the pilot program. This bill would delete this repeal date and extend the operation of these provisions until January 1, 2017. The bill would provide that the state shall remain liable for any decisions made or responsibilities assumed prior to repeal of these provisions under applicable federal statutes of limitation for filing citizens' suits in federal courts.