2010 California Code
Harbors and Navigation Code
Article 1. Legislative Findings

1690.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (a) The state has a compelling interest in the success of her
ports and harbors because they provide significant economic benefit
to the state in terms of jobs, personal income, business revenue, and
taxes.
   (b) Ports and harbors are the vital interface between water and
land transportation for trade with the Pacific Rim countries and
other trade.
   (c) Historically, California's ports and harbors have been
self-supporting.
   (d) The report of the California Transportation Commission
entitled "Improving Access to California's Ports," dated February
1990, found that $897 million is needed for port access
transportation projects.
   (e) In addition to port access transportation projects, there is a
need for new harbor facilities and to restore facilities damaged in
the Loma Prieta earthquake.
   (f) Because of shrinking federal and state funding and the
increasing demand for those limited funds, ports and harbors are no
longer able to finance projects of this magnitude without a new
funding mechanism.
   (g) It is the intent of the Legislature to assist in the reduction
of local borrowing costs, help accelerate the construction, repair,
and maintenance of port capital improvements, and promote greater use
of existing and new financial instruments and mechanisms.