BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 1889 Hearing Date: June 14, 2016
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|Author: |Mullin |
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|Version: |3/17/2016 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |No |
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|Consultant|Manny Leon |
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SUBJECT: Peninsula Rail Transit District
DIGEST: This bill deletes obsolete provisions of law creating
the Peninsula Rail Transit District.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Re-designates the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board
as the Peninsula Rail Transit District (District) and
specifies the composition of the District's governing board.
2)Additionally vests the District with specified powers and
duties necessary for the operation of rail passenger and
freight services between San Francisco and Alma, as well as
the authority to provide commuter rail service between San
Jose and Gilroy, as specified.
This bill deletes unnecessary provisions of law establishing
various powers to the District.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. The author notes, "AB 1889 repeals obsolete
provisions in the Public Utilities Code enabling creation of a
Peninsula Rail District to operate commuter rail service on
the San Francisco Peninsula. Such a district was never
AB 1889 (Mullin) Page 2 of ?
formed. Rather, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board was
formed under the Joint Powers Agency law in the Government
Code to manage the commuter rail service now known as
Caltrain."
The author further highlights, "the fact that there is an unused
and unnecessary body of law referring to a different agency as
operator of rail service on the Peninsula causes confusion to
those who administer various grants, provide services to, and
oversee the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board."
2)A brief history of Caltrain. Caltrain provides commuter rail
service along the San Francisco Peninsula, through the South
Bay to San Jose and Gilroy. Beginning in 1980, Caltrans
provided passenger service in the corridor, sharing operating
subsidies with San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
counties. The state assumed sole responsibility for station
acquisitions and other capital improvements until the service
resulted in formation of the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint
Powers Board in 1987.
In 1988, the Legislature enacted statutes re-designating the
Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the District.
However, the District was never formed. Instead, in 1992, the
Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board became the Peninsula
Corridor Joint Powers Board and assumed operating
responsibilities for Caltrain.
3)Technical cleanup. This bill provides technical cleanup to
existing state law by removing provisions that are now
obsolete.
Assembly votes:
Floor: 79-0
Local Gov: 9-0
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local:
No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 8, 2016.)
AB 1889 (Mullin) Page 3 of ?
SUPPORT:
Caltrain
OPPOSITION:
None recieved
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