BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1618
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 17, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Marty Block, Chair
AB 1618 (Galgiani) - As Amended: April 10, 2012
SUBJECT : High-speed rail.
SUMMARY : Requires the High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to
consult with the University of California (UC), the California
State University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges
(CCC) to determine how the state can meet its educational
workforce needs related to the future high-speed rail (HSR)
operations and maintenance workforce. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires HSRA to consult with UC, CSU, and CCC to determine
how the state can best meet the educational needs for the
future HSR operations and maintenance workforce, including but
not limited to the use of extension programs, contract
education, and new or revised academic programs.
2)Requires HSRA to seek federal assistance for these purposes.
3)Requires HSRA to report to the Legislature and the Governor on
or before July 1, 2014, regarding implementation of this bill,
pursuant to existing law.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Sets forth the missions and functions of the three segments of
public higher education (Education Code � 66010.4), including
UC, which is administered by the UC Regents (California State
Constitution, Article IX, Section 9).
2)Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) with a
nine-member governing board, including five members appointed
by the governor, two members appointed by the Senate Rules
Committee, and two members appointed by the Speaker of the
Assembly. (Public Utilities Code � 185000 et. seq.)
3)Provides $9 billion in funding for high-speed rail
redevelopment and $950 million for improvements to urban rail
transit systems, intercity rail, and commuter rail, authorized
by Proposition 1A, the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger
Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, approved by the voters at
AB 1618
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the November 2008 general election. Proposition 1A limits the
expenditure of bond revenues for the construction of the
high-speed rail system to not more than 50% of the cost of
building the system and not more than 10% of bond proceeds to
environmental studies, planning, and preliminary engineering.
It also requires that up to two percent of the bond proceeds
shall be for the administration of the HSRA. (Streets and
Highways Code � 2704)
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : This bill is double-referred to the Assembly
Transportation Committee.
Background . According to the March 2012 study, "Estimating
Workforce Development Needs for High-Speed Rail in California,"
by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State
University, approximately 256,000 workers will be employed who
will need training and education specific to high speed rail
(HSR) technologies. The study identifies four phases of
workforce needs, including the final stage-operations and
maintenance-which begins in 2021. The study finds that
California will need 32,184 HSR operations and maintenance
employees with the following educational needs:
13% less than high school
42% high school
9% associate's degree
24% some college/no degree
9% baccalaureate degree
3% master's degree
HSR educational needs . According to the Mineta Institute study,
"An adequate system of rail education and training does not yet
exist at the state or the national level, especially in these
areas that have been identified as HSR-related technologies.
Operations maintenance personnel require specialized, highly
detailed, and technology-related training that may warrant a
concentrated focus in the development of a modern HSR
curriculum.
Need for this bill . According to the author, "The proposed
high-speed rail project will be a very significant event in the
history of the state of California. In order for the project to
best serve the community and become a source of continued
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employment, we will need a trained workforce prepared to take on
the challenges presented by this project."
Options for meeting HSR educational needs . The Mineta Institute
study notes, "A central 'learning center' housed at a
university, community college, or trades training center might
appropriately serve as a central location with the
responsibility and mandate to conduct the training needed as
well as disseminate the operations and maintenance practices and
protocol through university and college satellites." However,
there may be other means to provide this education that utilize
non-state supported higher education programs, including UC and
CSU extension programs, which provide continuing and specialized
education to working professionals, as well as CCC contract
education, through which companies can contract with a CCC
campus for specific training and education for its workforce.
Contract education units help employers reach specific business
goals by providing needs analysis, skills assessments, and
education/training opportunities at the worksite. The training
provided is customized and focused on the industry, driven by
market demand.
Prior legislation . SB 964 (Alquist, 2010), which was vetoed by
the Governor, would have required an HSR workforce-needs
assessment.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Sandra Fried / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960