BILL NUMBER: AB 471	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2011

   An act to add Section 185025 to the Public Utilities Code,
relating to high-speed rail.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 471, as introduced, Bonnie Lowenthal. High-speed rail:
Inspector General.
   Existing law, the California High-Speed Rail Act, creates the
High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed train
system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law,
the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st
Century, approved by the voters as Proposition 1A at the November 4,
2008, general election, provides for the issuance of $9.95 billion in
general obligation bonds for high-speed rail and related purposes.
   This bill would provide for an Office of the Inspector General and
would require the authority to appoint an inspector general, who
would serve at the pleasure of the authority, and would prepare
specified reports and audits 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 185025 is added to the Public Utilities Code,
to read:
   185025.  (a) There is in the authority an Office of the Inspector
General.
   (b) The authority shall appoint an inspector general who shall
serve at the pleasure of the authority and shall prepare independent
reports and audits relating to high-speed rail, as he or she deems
necessary and appropriate.
   (c) The reports and audits of the inspector general shall be
provided directly to the authority.
   (d) The inspector general may, as authorized by the authority,
appoint necessary staff to carry out the provisions of this section.