BILL NUMBER: AB 1618 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2012
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 29, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Galgiani
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
An act to add Section 66013.4 185033.5
to the Education Public Utilities
Code, relating to the University of California
high-speed rail .
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1618, as amended, Galgiani. University of California
academic majors: high-speed rail transportation.
High-speed rail.
Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority, with various
powers and duties relative to the development and implementation of a
high-speed rail system.
This bill would require the authority to consult with the
University of California, the California State University, and the
California Community Colleges to determine how the state can best
meet the educational needs for the future high-speed rail operations
and maintenance workforce, including, but not limited to, the use of
extension programs, contract education, and new or revised academic
programs. The bill would require the authority to seek federal
funding in this regard and to report to the Legislature and the
Governor by July 1, 2014.
Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the
missions and functions of the 3 segments comprising the state's
public postsecondary education system. Among those segments is the
University of California, administered by the Regents of the
University of California. Provisions of the act apply to the
University of California only to the extent that the regents act, by
resolution, to make the provisions applicable.
This bill would request the regents to direct the Academic Senate
of the University of California to develop an academic major program
or programs related to high-speed rail transportation for
implementation commencing with the 2013-14 academic year. The bill
also would make specified findings and declarations relating to
high-speed rail.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 185033.5 is added to the
Public Utilities Code , to read:
185033.5. (a) The authority shall consult with the University of
California, the California State University, and the California
Community Colleges to determine how the state can best meet the
educational needs for the future high-speed rail operations and
maintenance workforce, including, but not limited to, the use of
extension programs, contract education, and new or revised academic
programs. The authority shall seek federal assistance for these
purposes.
(b) The authority shall report to the Legislature and the Governor
on or before July 1, 2014, regarding its implementation of this
section. The report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares
all of the following:
(a) The construction of the proposed high-speed rail project will
be a very significant event in the history of this state and in the
history of the central valley in particular.
(b) California has led the nation in many facets of American life,
and will soon again be a national leader with its development of
high-speed rail.
(c) High-speed rail will help to reduce air pollution and
California's dependence on foreign oil.
(d) Academic majors relating to high-speed rail will help to
generate jobs in parts of the state where unemployment is highest.
(e) Engineering, economics, architecture, and public
administration are among the academic disciplines where
high-speed-rail-related studies could make important contributions to
the communities that will be served by high-speed rail
transportation.
SEC. 2. Section 66013.4 is added to the
Education Code, to read:
66013.4. The Regents of the University of California are
requested to direct the Academic Senate of the University of
California to develop an academic major program or programs related
to high-speed rail transportation for implementation commencing with
the 2013-14 academic year.