BILL ANALYSIS
SB 409
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Date of Hearing: August 4, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
SB 409 (Ducheny) - As Amended: August 2, 2010
Policy Committee:
TransportationVote:11-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires Caltrans to prepare a rail connectivity plan
and requires the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to prepare a
five-year capital program. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires Caltrans, in consultation with the HSRA, to prepare a
state Strategic Rail Connectivity Plan identifying, from a
statewide perspective, opportunities for passenger rail system
improvements and linkages between existing rail systems.
2)Requires Caltrans, prior to submitting the final plan to the
Federal Railroad Administration, to present the draft plan to
the California Transportation Commission as an informational
item and to receive and review public comment on the plan.
3)Requires the HSRA, by October 1 each year, to adopt and submit
to the Legislature a high-speed passenger train program, which
is to include a list of all capital projects expected to
require appropriation, from any fund source, for the following
five years.
4)Requires the five members of the HSRA, who are appointed by
the governor, to be confirmed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Minor additional special fund costs for Caltrans to consult
with the HSRA and incorporate the high-speed rail program into
the statewide plan. The remaining costs to Caltrans are driven
by federal planning requirements (See Comment #1) and are thus
absorbable.
SB 409
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2)Special fund cost to the HSRA of around $100,000 in the first
year and ongoing costs of about $50,000 to update the reports
annually. [High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Fund]
COMMENTS
1)The new federal rail passenger law . (PRIIA) tasks states to:
(a) develop statewide rail plans setting policy involving
freight and passenger rail transportation within their
boundaries; (b) establish priorities and implementation
strategies to enhance rail service in the public interest; and
(c) serve as the basis for federal and state rail investments.
State rail plans are to address a broad spectrum of issues,
including an inventory of the existing rail transportation
system and rail services and facilities within the state.
Plans must also include an explanation of the state's
passenger rail service objectives, an analysis of the rail's
transportation, economic, and environmental impacts, and a
long-range investment program for current and future freight
and passenger infrastructure. The plans are to be coordinated
with other state transportation planning programs and clarify
long-term service and investment needs and requirements. The
Federal Railroad Administration is to establish minimum
standards for the preparation and periodic revision of state
rail plans.
2)High-Speed Rail . The prior version of this bill would have
moved the HSRA within the Business, Housing, and
Transportation Agency. Due to concerns regarding this
organizational change, these provisions were deleted. In
addition to requiring Senate confirmation of HSRA appointees,
the bill now requires the authority to submit a five-year
funding plan.
3)Related Legislation . AB 2121 (Harkey), pending in Senate
Transportation and Housing, contains similar HSRA reporting
language.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081