Bill Text: CA AB1121 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-06-01 - Referred to Com. on T. & H. [AB1121 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB1121-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 28, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1121

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Introduced by Assembly Member Chiu

February 17, 2017

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An act relating to amend Section 66540.12 of the Government Code, relating to water transportation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1121, as amended, Chiu. San Francisco Bay Area ferries. Water Emergency Transportation Authority.

Existing law establishes the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, composed of 3 members appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. Existing law prescribes the functions and duties of the authority with regard to the regulation of public transportation ferries and related water transportation.

This bill would increase the membership of the authority to 9 members, with 5 members to be appointed by the Governor, 2 members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

Existing law establishes various programs to fund transportation projects throughout the state.

Existing law establishes the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority with specified powers and duties, including, but not limited to, the authority to coordinate the emergency activities of all water transportation and related facilities within the San Francisco Bay Area region, as defined.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to authorize San Francisco Bay Area voters to approve new, dedicated funding for San Francisco Bay Area ferries.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 66540.12 of the Government Code is amended to read:

66540.12.

 (a) The authority shall be governed by a board composed of five members, nine members, as follows:

(1) Three Five members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Governor shall make the initial appointment of these members of the board no later than January 11, 2008.

(2) One member Two members shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.

(3) One member Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(b) Each member of the board shall be a resident of a county in the bay area region.

(c) Public officers associated with an area of government, including planning or water, whether elected or appointed, may be appointed to serve contemporaneously as members of the board. A public agency shall not have more than one representative on the board of the authority.

(d) The Governor shall designate one member as the chairperson of the board and one member as the vice chairperson of the board.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the The term of a member of the board shall be six years.

(f)(1)The appointments next following the expiration of the terms of the initial appointments shall be for the following terms:

(A)Two of the members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of two years and one shall serve a term of six years.

(B)The member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules shall serve a term of four years.

(C)The member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly shall serve a term of four years.

(2)Each member appointed after the expiration of the terms set forth in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (1) shall serve a term of six years.

(g)

(f) Vacancies shall be filled immediately by the appointing power for the unexpired portion of the terms in which they occur.

SECTION 1.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1)Ferries on the San Francisco Bay have historically played a major role in San Francisco Bay Area transportation, have long supported compacted transit-oriented development, and would support the San Francisco Bay Area’s sustainable communities strategy required by Senate Bill 375 (Chapter 728 of the Statutes of 2008).

(2)The San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing record levels of employment opportunity and, with it, increased traffic congestion and overcrowding on trains and buses that cross the region.

(3)The expansion of ferry service is a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable transportation strategy that can provide additional public transportation options to San Francisco Bay Area travelers.

(4)Ridership on the ferry service provided by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority is at an all-time high. Between 2012 and 2016, ridership grew by 72 percent, causing crowding and strained capacity on the most popular trips.

(5)Ferries provide competitive travel times in comparison to automobile trips, buses, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District, and are vital to supporting housing plans in many East Bay cities and the City of San Francisco’s plans for Treasure Island.

(6)Expansion of the San Francisco Bay Area ferry system is critical for emergency response.

(7)To help realize congestion relief for San Francisco Bay Area commuters, additional ferries and new docking facilities, routes, and terminals would allow for increased service and lower wait times during peak commute hours.

(8)Unlike other San Francisco Bay Area transit services, ferries have much fewer dedicated funding sources and require additional support to provide existing and additional services.

(b)It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to authorize San Francisco Bay Area voters to approve new, dedicated funding for San Francisco Bay Area ferries.