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, including the acquisition of rights-of-way through purchase and eminent domain. 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 for high-speed train capital projects and other associated purposes. Existing law generally requires the approval of the Department of General Services before a state agency may acquire, hire, dispose of, or let real property in fee or in a lesser interest, subject to certain exceptions, including real property obtained for highway purposes by the Department of Transportation. Existing law requires the Department of General Services to inventory state-owned property, other than property owned by the Department of Transportation and certain other state agencies. Existing law provides that property acquired by the Department of Transportation for highway purposes and leased back for commercial or business uses to the former owner for a term exceeding 6 months may be insured for loss by fire at the request of the former owner with the premium for the insurance included in the rent. This bill would enact similar exceptions and authorizations relative to real property obtained for high-speed rail purposes by the High-Speed Rail Authority. The bill would make various additional conforming changes. The bill would also enact new provisions governing acquisition or disposal of right-of-way property by the authority. The bill would require payments for leases, sales, or other conveyances of property owned or controlled by the authority to be deposited in the High-Speed Rail Property Fund created by the bill, and would provide that the funds shall be available to the authority upon appropriation by the Legislature for specified purposes.