Bill Text: CA AB471 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: High-speed rail: inspector general.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-01 - Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB471 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB471-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 471	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 25, 2011

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 amended, Bonnie Lowenthal. High-speed rail: 
Inspector General  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  
create  an  independent  inspector general  ,
who would serve at the pleasure of the authority, and would prepare
specified reports and audits relating to high-speed rail 
 to oversee the activities of the authority, and conduct
investigations and audits in that regard. The inspector general would
be appointed for a 6-year term by the Governor, subject to
confirmation by the Senate. The bill would require the inspector
general to report quarterly to the authority and annually to the
Governor and the Legislature  .
   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  
hereby created the independent  Office of the Inspector General
 to oversee the activities of the authority  . 
   (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.
 
   (b) The Governor shall appoint the inspector general for a
six-year term, subject to advice and consent of the Senate. The
inspector general may not be removed from office during that term,
except for good cause.  
   (c) The inspector general shall review authority policies and
procedures, and conduct audits and investigations of the authority's
activities.  
   (d) The inspector general shall report quarterly, at a noticed
public hearing of the authority, on the expenditures of the authority
for travel, meals, and refreshments; private club dues; membership
fees; and other charges, gifts, and any other expenditures designated
for review by the authority.  
   (e) The inspector general shall report annually to the Governor
and Legislature with a summary of his or her investigations and
audits. The summary shall be posted on the inspector general's Web
site and shall otherwise be made available to the public upon its
release to the Governor and Legislature. The summary shall include,
but need not be limited to, significant problems discovered by the
inspector general and whether recommendations of the inspector
general relative to investigations and audits have been implemented
by the authority. The report shall be submitted pursuant to Section
9795 of the Government Code.