BILL NUMBER: SB 526	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Ashburn

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 526, as amended, Ashburn. Intercity rail:  study.
  San Joaquin Corridor: Altamont Pass extension. 
   Existing law provides for the Department of Transportation to
contract with Amtrak for intercity rail services and connecting
feeder buses.
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation to  require the Department of
Transportation to  study the potential for increasing
ridership by routing certain Amtrak intercity rail services over the
Altamont Pass alignment between the Central Valley and the Bay Area
  enter into negotiations with the relevant operating
freight and passenger commuter railroads for the purpose of
developing a service plan and an operating agreement for the
extension of at least one San Joaquin Corridor intercity passenger
train using   the Altamont Corridor to and from San
Francisco. The bill would require the department to report to the
Legislature by March 31, 2010, on the status of the negotiations
 .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    The Department of Transportation shall
enter into negotiations with the relevant operating freight and
passenger commuter railroads for the purpose of developing a service
plan and an operating agreement for the extension of at least one San
Joaquin Corridor intercity passenger train using the Altamont
Corridor to and from San Francisco. The service plan shall be
developed with the objective of ensuring that the times of operation
will maximize patronage from the San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco.
The department shall report to the Legislature on or before March
31, 2010, on the status of the negotiations.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation to require the Department of Transportation to
study the potential for increasing ridership by routing certain
Amtrak intercity rail services over the Altamont Pass alignment
between the Central Valley and the Bay Area.