BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1458
Page 1
( Without Reference to File )
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1458 (Buchanan and Achadjian)
As Amended June 28, 2012
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: | |(April 26, |SENATE: |36-0 |(July 5, 2012) |
| | |2012) | | | |
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(vote not relevant)
Original Committee Reference: P.E., R. & S.S.
SUMMARY : Retains the California Transportation Commission's (CTC)
status as an independent entity if the Governor's Reorganization
Plan No. 2 of 2012 (GRP 2) is enacted.
The Senate amendments delete the Assembly version of this bill, and
instead:
1)State that CTC shall retain its status as an independent entity to
perform its duties and functions prescribed to it under current
law if GRP 2 is enacted.
2)Declare that this bill shall prevail over any provision of GRP 2
regardless of the dates on which this bill and GRP 2 take effect.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes in state government the CTC as an independent entity
responsible for programming and allocating funds for the
construction of highway, passenger rail and transit improvements
throughout California.
2)Requires CTC to advise and assist the Secretary of the Business,
Transportation, and Housing Agency (BTH) and the Legislature in
formulating and evaluating state policies and plans for
California's transportation programs.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill deleted the Joint Legislative
Retirement Committee (JLRC) from statute.
AB 1458
Page 2
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : CTC was established as an independent entity in 1978 by
AB 402 (Chapter 1106, Statutes of 1977) out of a growing concern for
a single, unified California transportation policy.
CTC is responsible for programming and allocating funds for the
construction of highway, passenger rail, and transit improvements
throughout California. CTC advises and assists the Secretary of BTH
and the Legislature in formulating and evaluating state
transportation policies and programs. CTC is also an active
participant in the initiation and development of state and federal
legislation to secure financial stability for the state's
transportation needs.
GRP 2 places CTC under the newly formed California Transportation
Agency (CTA), a significant structural change for the previously
independent entity. CTA's Secretary would have the ability to
review and approve CTC's budgets and operations, and CTC would
coexist with other transportation entities.
CTC was created as an independent entity to advise and sometimes
disagree with other transportation-related entities, and critics are
concerned that losing its autonomy within the agency structure could
undermine CTC's core mission. There are additional concerns that
placing CTC, whose members are already dominated by Governor's
appointees, within an agency would unduly favor the Administration.
Should GRP 2 become effective July 3, 2012, this bill preserves
CTC's independence.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Weaver / SPECIAL COMM. ON GRP NO. 2 /
(916) 319-3874
FN: 0004344