BILL NUMBER: AB 577	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  92
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 8, 2014
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  JULY 8, 2014
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 16, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JUNE 26, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 4, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 6, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nazarian
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Bocanegra, Dababneh, and Wilk)

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to repeal Sections 30648 and 130265 of the Public Utilities
Code, relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 577, Nazarian. Rail construction: County of Los Angeles.
   Existing law prohibits the construction of a mass transportation
rail project, other than as a subway, within a specified corridor
within the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, and imposes other
conditions in that regard. Existing law also imposes certain
requirements on the construction phasing of a mass transportation
rail project between the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los
Angeles.
   This bill would repeal these provisions and state the intent of
the Legislature.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to give local
residents the flexibility needed to address the growing demands of
public transportation in the greater San Fernando Valley by allowing
the installation of above-ground rail transit along the Los Angeles
Metro Orange Line.
   (b) Currently, the Los Angeles Metro Orange Line runs on a
dedicated bus route known as a bus rapid transit system. When bus
rapid transit was determined to be the preferred alternative, the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority estimated that Orange Line
ridership would average 16,000 riders on weekdays. As of September
2012, average ridership was 31,787, nearly double the initial
estimate. It is evident that the San Fernando Valley has outgrown
this bus rapid transit system. The greater San Fernando Valley needs
a rail system on par with other parts of the region in order to
transport a larger number of riders quickly, efficiently, and cost
effectively.
   (c) By repealing the ban on light rail installation along the
Orange Line, local residents will be able to take the first step
toward a 21st Century transit system, which will lead to greater
connectivity to other transportation lines throughout Los Angeles and
the San Fernando Valley.
  SEC. 2.  Section 30648 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.
  SEC. 3.  Section 130265 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.