SECTIONS 7700-7705 - California Statutes

PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE

SECTION 7700-7705

7700. By Section 803 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory
Reform Act of 1976, designated in this chapter as the "act," Congress
has established a local rail sevice continuation assistance program.
Such program is designed to cover: the cost of rail service
continuation payments; the cost of purchasing a line of railroad or
other rail properties to maintain existing or provide for future rail
service; the cost of rehabilitating and improving rail properties on
a line of railroad to the extent necessary to permit adequate and
efficient rail freight service on such line; and the cost of reducing
the costs of lost rail service in a manner less expensive than
continuing rail service. The Legislature hereby determines that such
program should be implemented in California and that such
implementation would constitute a public purpose.

7701. The Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the
commission and other affected state and local agencies, shall be
responsible for the preparation and periodic update of the state rail
plan required by the act.

7702. The Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the
commission and other affected state and local agencies, shall perform
the duties required by the act in developing, promoting,
supervising, and supporting safe, adequate, and efficient rail
transportation services; maintaining adequate programs of
investigation, research, promotion, and development, with provisions
for public participation; and shall take all practicable steps to
improve transportation safety and to reduce transportation-related
energy utilization and pollution. It is not the intent of this
section to diminish in any respect the authority and responsibility
of the commission. The department shall work in close cooperation
with the commission in carrying out the duties imposed upon it under
this chapter.

7703. The Department of Transportation shall administer a program
of projects for rail service assistance financed in whole or in part
with funds derived pursuant to the act. All necessary matching funds
shall be expressly appropriated by the Legislature or donated by
public or private entities.

7704. To the maximum extent permitted by federal law, rules, and
regulations, the Department of Transportation shall recover the costs
of administering this chapter from the federal funds received
pursuant to the act.

7705. The Governor, the Secretary of the Business and
Transportation Agency, and the Department of Transportation may enter
into such agreements, execute such documents, establish and manage
such accounts and deposits, act as a recipient, and take any other
action that may be appropriate to carry out the rail assistance
programs authorized by the act.