Transportation Corridors Enhancement Account: project selection: California Port Efficiency Program.

Existing law creates the Trade Corridor Enhancement Account in the State Transportation Fund to receive revenues attributable to 50% of a $0.20 per gallon increase in the diesel fuel excise tax imposed by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 for corridor-based freight projects nominated by local agencies and the state. Existing law makes these funds and certain federal funds apportioned to the state available upon appropriation for allocation by the California Transportation Commission for trade infrastructure improvement projects that meet specified requirements. Existing law requires the commission to allocate specified percentages of available funds to projects nominated by regional transportation agencies and the Department of Transportation. In adopting a program of projects, existing law requires the commission to prioritize projects jointly nominated and jointly funded by the state and local agencies. This bill would create the California Port Efficiency Program to fund projects that improve velocity, throughput, and reliability of port operations, as defined. The program would require the department to select projects proposed by port authorities and regional transportation agencies that most effectively improve velocity, throughput, and reliability of port operations.