Bill Text: CA SB878 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Office of the Transportation Inspector General.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2012-09-30 - In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending. [SB878 Detail]

Download: California-2011-SB878-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 878	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 6, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 25, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 4, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 9, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Senator DeSaulnier
    (   Coauthor:   Assembly Member  
Bonnie Lowenthal   )

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2011

   An act relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 878, as amended, DeSaulnier. California Transportation
Commission.
   Existing law creates the California Transportation Commission and
imposes various duties on the commission, including, but not limited
to, assisting the Legislature in formulating and evaluating state
policies and plans for transportation programs in the state. Under
existing law, there is also a Department of Transportation and its
duties include, among others, supporting the commission in
coordinating and developing, in cooperation with local and regional
entities, comprehensive balanced transportation planning and policy
for the movement of people and goods within this state. Existing law
requires the state transportation improvement program to include a
listing of all capital improvement projects that are expected to
receive a specified allocation of state transportation funds from the
commission. Under existing law, the commission is required to
biennially adopt and submit a state transportation improvement
program to the Governor and the Legislature. 
   Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with specified
powers and duties relating to the development and implementation of
an intercity high-speed rail system. Existing law, pursuant to the
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st
Century, authorizes $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for
high-speed rail development and other related purposes. 
   This bill would require the commission to undertake a study to
assess the appropriateness of establishing an office of inspector
general to ensure that the department  , the authority,  and
transportation agencies with projects funded completely or in part
from funds in the state transportation improvement program  or
state bonds  are operating efficiently, effectively, and in
compliance with the state and federal laws governing the performance
of transportation agencies. The bill would require the commission to
consult with specified federal and state agencies in this regard and
would require the commission to prepare a written report regarding
the advisability of creating an office of inspector general and to
submit it to the Governor and the Legislature by January 31, 2014.
   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.  (a) The California Transportation Commission shall
undertake a study to assess the appropriateness of establishing an
office of inspector general within state government to ensure the
Department of Transportation  , the High-Speed Rail Authority,
 and transportation agencies with projects funded completely or
in part from funds in the state transportation improvement program
 or state bonds  are operating efficiently, effectively, and
in compliance with federal and state laws governing the performance
of transportation agencies.
   (b) In carrying out this study, the commission shall review the
federal Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.  App.3)
  App. 3)  , the experience of other states that
have an office of inspector general, and the experience of local
transportation agencies that have an office of inspector general, and
shall consult with the Bureau of State Audits, the Inspector General
of the United States Department of Transportation, and other
individuals and organizations that may have relevant information
related to an office of inspector general.
   (c) The commission shall prepare a written report regarding the
advisability of creating an office of inspector general and shall
submit the written report to the Governor and the Legislature by
January 31, 2014.
   (d) A report to the Legislature pursuant to this section shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.