2005 California Public Utilities Code Sections 185030-185038 CHAPTER 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY

185030.  The authority shall direct the development and
implementation of intercity high-speed rail service that is fully
integrated with the state's existing intercity rail and bus network,
consisting of interlinked conventional and high-speed rail lines and
associated feeder buses.  The intercity network in turn shall be
fully coordinated and connected with commuter rail lines and urban
rail transit lines developed by local agencies, as well as other
transit services, through the use of common station facilities
whenever possible.
185032.  (a) (1) Upon an appropriation in the Budget Act for that
purpose, the authority shall prepare a plan for the construction and
operation of a high-speed train network for the state, consistent
with and continuing the work of the Intercity High-Speed Rail
Commission conducted prior to January 1, 1997.  The plan shall
include an appropriate network of conventional intercity passenger
rail service and shall be coordinated with existing and planned
commuter and urban rail systems.
   (2) The authorization and responsibility for planning,
construction, and operation of high-speed passenger train service at
speeds exceeding 125 miles per hour in this state is exclusively
granted to the authority.
   (3) Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this
subdivision precludes other local, regional, or state agencies from
exercising powers provided by law with regard to planning or
operating, or both, passenger rail service.
   (b) The plan, upon completion, shall be submitted to the
Legislature and the Governor for approval by the enactment of a
statute.
185034.  The authority may do any of the following:
   (1) Conduct engineering and other studies related to the selection
and acquisition of rights-of-way and the selection of a franchisee,
including, but not limited to, environmental impact studies,
socioeconomic impact studies, and financial feasibility studies.
   (2) Evaluate alternative high-speed rail technologies, systems and
operators, and select an appropriate high-speed rail system.
   (3) Establish criteria for the award of a franchise.
   (4) Accept grants, fees, and allocations from the state, from
political subdivisions of the state or from the federal government,
foreign governments, and private sources.
   (5) Select a proposed franchisee, a proposed route, and proposed
terminal sites.
   (6) Enter into contracts with public and private entities for the
preparation of the plan.
   (7) Prepare a detailed financing plan, including any necessary
taxes, fees, or bonds to pay for the construction of the high-speed
train network.
   (8) Develop a proposed high-speed rail financial plan, including
necessary taxes, bonds, or both, or other indebtedness, and submit
the plan to the Legislature and to the Governor.
   (9) Keep the public informed of its activities.
185036.  Upon approval by the Legislature, by the enactment of a
statute, or approval by the voters of a financial plan providing the
necessary funding for the construction of a high-speed network, the
authority may do any of the following:
   (a) Enter into contracts with private or public entities for the
design, construction and operation of high-speed trains.  The
contracts may be separated into individual tasks or segments or may
include all tasks and segments, including a design-build or
design-build-operate contract.
   (b) Acquire rights-of-way through purchase or eminent domain.
   (c) Issue debt, secured by pledges of state funds, federal grants,
or project revenues.  The pledge of state funds shall be limited to
those funds expressly authorized by statute or voter-approved
initiatives.
   (d) Enter into cooperative or joint development agreements with
local governments or private entities.
   (e) Set fares and schedules.
   (f) Relocate highways and utilities.
185038.  Any legal or equitable action brought against the authority
shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County
of Sacramento.  For purposes of this section, subdivision (1) of
Section 401 of the Code of Civil Procedure does not apply.