Southern California Port Congestion Authority.

Existing law prescribes procedures for the formation of port districts and regulates the operation and development of ports in the state, including the operation of port facilities, equipment, and certain sea-going vessels. This bill would establish the Southern California Port Congestion Authority and would require that the authority be governed by a board consisting of 7 members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. The bill would authorize the authority to plan, develop, and implement measures and projects necessary to alleviate congestion in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, as specified. The bill would require each marine terminal operator at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach to report to the authority specified information with respect to traffic at the ports. The bill would also require the authority to hold quarterly public hearings to discuss the results of these reports. To the extent that the bill would impose new duties upon local government entities, it 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.