High-speed rail.

Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with specified powers and duties relative to development and implementation of a high-speed train system. The authority is composed of 9 members, including 5 members appointed by the Governor. Members of the authority are subject to the Political Reform Act of 1974. This bill would prohibit a member, employee, or consultant of the authority from being the recipient of any gift, as defined, in a specified provision of the act. The bill would prohibit a construction company, engineering firm, consultant, legal firm, or any other company, vendor, or business entity with a contract or seeking a contract with the authority, or subcontractor of any of the foregoing, or owner, employee, or any member of their immediate families of any of these companies, firms, vendors, entities, or subcontractors, from making any gift to a member, employee, or consultant of the authority, or to any member of their immediate families. The bill would authorize the authority itself to receive gifts, and to transfer those gifts as specified, with the written approval of the Department of Finance. This bill, with certain exceptions, would prohibit a member, employee, or consultant of the authority from appearing before the authority on behalf of, or in any way representing before the authority, any individual or private or public entity for 3 years after termination of the employment or contract relationship with the authority. The bill would provide that these provisions shall become operative under a different section of the Public Utilities Code if AB 145 and this bill both are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2012, as specified. Existing law provides that the authority may accept grants, fees, and allocations from various sources, including the state, the federal government, foreign governments, and private sources. This bill would delete the reference to foreign governments. The bill would provide that this provision shall not become operative if AB 145 is enacted and becomes effective on or before January 1, 2012, as specified.