Gold Coast Transit District.

Existing law creates various transit districts throughout the state, with specified powers and duties relative to providing public transit services. This bill would create the Gold Coast Transit District in the County of Ventura. The bill would provide that the jurisdiction of the district would initially include the Cities of Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Ojai and the unincorporated areas of the County of Ventura. The bill would authorize other cities in the County of Ventura to subsequently join the district. The bill would dissolve the existing joint powers agency known as Gold Coast Transit, and would create the district, on July 1, 2014. The bill would provide for the transfer of assets from Gold Coast Transit to the district, and would provide for the member agencies of the district to claim a portion of transit funds apportioned to the district under the Transportation Development Act for transit services, including those operated directly by the member agency. The bill would provide for a governing board and would specify voting procedures for the taking of certain actions by the board. The bill would specify the powers and duties of the district to operate transit services, and would authorize the district to seek voter approval of tax measures and to issue revenue bonds. The bill would enact other related provisions. By imposing requirements on the district and affected local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.