2009 California Government Code - Section 93020-93025 :: Chapter 3. Powers And Duties Of Authority

93020.  The authority has all of the following powers:
   (a) To acquire, own, operate, and lease real and personal property
reasonably related to the operation and maintenance of railroads.
   (b) To issue revenue bonds pursuant to Section 93024 for any
purpose of the authority.
   (c) To acquire property by purchase, lease, gift, or through
exercise of the power of eminent domain.
   (d) To operate railroads, including those outside its boundaries
in order to connect its lines with the lines of another railroad
corporation.
   (e) To accept grants or loans from state or federal agencies.
   (f) To select a franchisee, which may be a public or private
entity, to acquire or operate a rail transportation system within the
area of the authority's jurisdiction.

93021.  The authority may acquire, own, lease, and operate railroad
lines and equipment, including, but not limited to, real and personal
property, tracks, rights-of-way, equipment, and facilities.

93022.  The authority may prepare a plan for the acquisition and
operation of any railroad line specified in Section 93001, at no
expense to the state, to achieve the purposes set forth in Section
93003.

93023.  After preparation of a plan pursuant to Section 93022, the
authority may do any of the following:
   (a) Conduct engineering and other studies related to the
acquisition of any railroad line.
   (b) Evaluate alternative plans from the private sector to acquire,
finance, and operate a railroad system in a manner which achieves
the purposes specified in Section 93003.
   (c) Establish criteria for the award of a franchise.
   (d) Select a franchisee to acquire, finance, and operate the
railroad system.
   (e) Accept grants, gifts, fees, or allocations from other
entities, including private and public sources.
   (f) Employ an executive officer, other staff, and consultants
deemed appropriate for support of the activities of the authority.

93024.  (a) The authority may issue bonds, payable from revenues of
any facility or enterprise to be acquired or constructed by the
authority, in the manner provided by the Revenue Bond Law of 1941
(Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 54300) of Part 1 of Division 2 of
Title 5 of the Government Code).
   However, an election is not required in the case of revenue bonds
authorized by the board of directors for railroad facilities, and any
addition, extension, and improvement thereto, and all other
facilities authorized to be acquired, constructed, or completed by
the authority under this title.
   (b) The authority is a local agency within the meaning of the
Revenue Bond Law of 1941. The term "enterprise," as used in that law,
includes railroad facilities, and any addition, extension, and
improvement thereto, and all other facilities authorized to be
acquired, constructed, or completed by the authority under this
title.

93025.  The state is not liable for any contracts, debts, or other
obligations of the authority.