Bill Text: CA AB823 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 823 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: High-Speed Rail Authority: trains powered by fossil fuel combustion engines.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB823 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB823-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 823

Introduced by Assembly Member Gray

February 16, 2021

An act to add Section 185036.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to high-speed rail.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 823, as introduced, Gray. High-Speed Rail Authority: trains powered by fossil fuel combustion engines.

The California High-Speed Rail Act creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed rail system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law requires the high-speed rail system to be designed to use electric trains. Existing law authorizes the authority, upon receiving legislative or voter approval, to enter into contracts with private or public entities for the design, construction, and operation of high-speed trains.

This bill would prohibit the authority from directly or indirectly using local, state, federal, or any other public or private funding to purchase, lease, operate, or maintain a passenger or freight train powered by a diesel engine or other type of fossil fuel combustion engine, and from enabling such a train to operate on authority-owned rail infrastructure designed for speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour, except as specified.

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

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

SECTION 1.

Section 185036.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:

185036.5.

(a) The authority shall not do either of the following:

(1) Directly or indirectly use local, state, federal, or any other public or private funding to purchase, lease, operate, or maintain a passenger or freight train powered by a diesel engine or other type of fossil fuel combustion engine.

(2) Enable a passenger or freight train powered by a diesel engine, or other type of fossil fuel combustion engine, to operate on authority-owned rail infrastructure designed for speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour.

(b) This section does not apply to a passenger or freight train used for maintenance or construction, or during an emergency situation.