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<ns0:Id>20250AB__160899INT</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>99</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-01-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Wilson</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wilson</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 39719.3 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 187010, 187020, 187024, and 187038 of, to amend the heading of Division 19.7 (commencing with Section 187000) of, to amend the headings of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 187020) and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 187030) of Division 19.7 of, and to add Sections 187026, 187035, and 187037 to, the Public Utilities Code, relating to transportation. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>transportation</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail.</ns0:Subject>
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<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed rail system in the state. Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Office of the Inspector General and authorizes the High-Speed Rail Authority Inspector General to initiate an audit or review regarding oversight related to delivery of the high-speed rail project undertaken by the authority and the selection and oversight of contractors related to that project. Existing law authorizes the Inspector General to select, appoint, and employ officers and employees necessary to carry out the functions of the office, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would rename the office as the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail and revise the title of the Inspector General as the Inspector General of the High-Speed Rail. </html:p>
<html:p>This bill would authorize the Inspector General to adopt and make use of the classifications, associated salary ranges, and other forms of compensation established or otherwise used by other state agencies identified by the Inspector General as performing comparable oversight work, as specified. </html:p>
<html:p>This bill would authorize the Inspector General to contract for goods and services that the Inspector General deems necessary for the furtherance of the purposes of the office. For a contract up to $1,000,000 in value, the bill would exempt the Inspector General from all contract requirements of the Public Contract Code that require oversight, review, or approval by the Department of General Services or any other state agency.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the Inspector General, upon completion of an audit or review, to publish a complete report on its internet website, provide
notification of the published report to the Governor and the High-Speed Rail Authority, and submit a copy of the report to the Legislature. The bill would prohibit the Inspector General from making that report publicly available if it determines that the report would describe or otherwise reveal weaknesses that could be exploited by individuals attempting to harm the interests of the state or inappropriately benefit from the project. If the Inspector General makes that determination, the bill would require the Inspector General to deliver a confidential report to state officials with oversight of the project, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require all books, papers, records, and correspondence of the office to be public records subject to the California Public Records Act, but would prohibit the Inspector General or the employees of the Inspector General from releasing certain types of records to the public, except under specified circumstances. The bill would
prohibit the Inspector General from destroying any papers or memoranda used to support a completed audit or review sooner than 3 years after the corresponding report is published or delivered, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law requires the Inspector General to report at least annually to the Legislature and the Governor a summary of its findings of any reviews, investigations, or audits, when the High-Speed Rail Authority provides statutorily required documents to the Legislature, and upon request of the Legislature or Governor.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would instead require the Inspector General to report at least annually to the Legislature and the Governor a summary of its findings of any reviews, investigations, or audits published pursuant to the above-described provisions at the beginning of each fiscal year and upon request of the Legislature or Governor.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing constitutional
provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_DEA7A51D-4482-4916-8311-E9FC5BBEF857">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Timely, independent oversight of the high-speed rail project is critical to both the success of the project and to ensuring that public funds used on the project are spent efficiently and effectively.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail was created to fulfill this role.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is necessary for the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail to be independent in its design and operation so that delays in acquisition, or increased costs, related to personnel, goods, and services do not impair its
ability to fulfill its mission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For the reasons stated in subdivision (a), it is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail has the ability to operate independently of other state agencies when publishing reports, making hiring decisions, and entering into contracts with a value of up to $1,000,000.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 39719.3 of the
<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>39719.3.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Fully funded” means the High-Speed Rail Authority has secured funding to complete the Merced to Bakersfield segment within the timelines identified in the most recent business plan prepared pursuant to Section 185033 of the Public Utilities Code or project update report prepared pursuant to Section 185033.5 of the Public Utilities Code and the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail
has confirmed that the High-Speed Rail Authority has secured that funding.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Merced to Bakersfield segment” means a 171-mile electrified dual-track segment that is usable for high-speed rail service in the central valley from Merced to Bakersfield, with a new combined station in downtown Merced, and connections to the Amtrak San Joaquins and the Altamont Corridor Express.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 39719 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 39719.4, beginning with the 2022–23 fiscal year, it is the intent of the Legislature that the High-Speed Rail Authority prioritize use of the funds provided pursuant to Section 39719
and Section 39719.4 to complete the Merced to Bakersfield segment.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning with the 2022–23 fiscal year, the High-Speed Rail Authority shall not enter into new funding commitments with funds provided pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 39719 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 39719.4 for activities outside the Merced to Bakersfield segment, except for the following purposes:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Completion of environmental clearance activities and planning activities required by federal grant agreements or other existing agreements.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
State operations activities related to construction management and project development and enterprisewide capital
expenditures.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Additional activities, not to cumulatively exceed five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000), that maximize the efficiency of delivering the project, excluding paragraphs (1) and (2).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The High-Speed Rail Authority shall provide advance notification of work described in subparagraph (A) to the
Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail (OIG) and the chairs of the relevant committees of both houses of the Legislature. The OIG shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed work outside the Merced to Bakersfield segment within 60 days of notification and make a finding as to whether or not expenditure of funds for the proposed work will result in a delay in the completion of the Merced to Bakersfield segment. After that time, the OIG shall provide its analysis to chairpersons of the committees of both houses of the Legislature that consider appropriations and the chairpersons of the committees and the appropriate subcommittees of both houses of the Legislature that consider the State Budget before contracts for projects outside of the Merced to Bakersfield segment are
considered by the High-Speed Rail Authority for approval.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Before expenditure of funds pursuant to this paragraph, the High-Speed Rail Authority shall provide notification of grant applications to the chairpersons of the committees of both houses of the Legislature that consider appropriations and the chairpersons of the committees and the appropriate subcommittees of both houses of the Legislature that consider the State Budget. Approval of the grant application by the Department of Finance may be authorized no sooner than 30 days after notification in writing to the chairpersons of the committees in each house of the Legislature that consider appropriations and the chairpersons of the committees and the appropriate subcommittees in each house of the Legislature that consider the State Budget.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall become inoperative on June 30,
2030, or when the Merced to Bakersfield segment is fully funded, whichever is sooner, and shall be repealed on January 1 of the following year.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The High-Speed Rail Authority shall inform the Legislature when the Merced to Bakersfield segment is fully funded in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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The heading of Division 19.7 (commencing with Section 187000) of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading id="id_2AAEE9DB-5C73-422B-A3A2-4EB6CC196D7E" type="DIVISION">
<ns0:Num>19.7.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_64B26C4B-1CEC-4B36-9C59-B4792F5FFAB9">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_1498C25C-BFED-4267-8B2A-5A62D3C18C76">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187010 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_AD88154B-3D6E-46EE-A9ED-7AB3FB7C87A8">
<ns0:Num>187010.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_2FCE8479-82A8-4E7E-9CC6-4C530AA8E763">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>Unless the context requires otherwise, for purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Inspector General” means the Inspector General of the High-Speed Rail appointed pursuant to Section 187020.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Merced to Bakersfield segment” means a 171-mile electrified dual-track segment that is usable for high-speed rail service in the central valley from Merced to Bakersfield, with a new combined station in downtown Merced, and connections to the Amtrak San Joaquins and the Altamont Corridor
Express.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Office” means the
Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail established pursuant to Section 187020.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Personnel issues” means matters specific to the employment relationship between the High-Speed Rail Authority and its employees, including, but not limited to, hiring and promotional decisions, performance reviews, progressive discipline, adverse actions, grievances, merit issue complaints, workplace harassment, discrimination, or possible wage or supply theft having an immaterial effect, as determined by the Inspector General, on the planning, delivery, and operation of the project. For purposes of this division, “personnel issues” does not mean fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement by the High-Speed Rail Authority or its employees having a
material effect, as determined by the Inspector General, on the planning, delivery, and operation of the project.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Project” means the high-speed rail project undertaken by the High-Speed Rail Authority pursuant to Division 19 (commencing with Section 185000) of this code and Chapter 20 (commencing with Section 2704) and Chapter 20.5 (commencing with Section 2704.75) of Division 3 of the Streets and Highways Code.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 5.</ns0:Num>
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The heading of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 187020) of Division 19.7 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading id="id_547A63C9-D694-46DE-836E-E6D5D67B931E" type="CHAPTER">
<ns0:Num>2.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:LawHeadingText>Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 6.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187020 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_CAC04390-74C0-4487-9242-A3566DDC54A8">
<ns0:Num>187020.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
There is hereby created the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Governor shall appoint the Inspector General of the High-Speed Rail to a four-year term from a list of three qualified individuals
nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall select the three qualified individuals from a pool of candidates after conducting a comprehensive search for qualified individuals. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall provide at least 120 days’ notice that it is seeking applicants for nomination by providing notice in the Journals of the Senate and the Assembly and by advertising in appropriate newspapers and with nationally acknowledged professional journals and associations. Names for consideration by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee may be submitted by members of the Legislature, professional organizations, individuals, and other entities. The Inspector General shall be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the Inspector
General of the High-Speed Rail.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature and the Governor may provide suggested qualifications to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to consider when making its nominations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The office shall not be a subdivision of any other governmental entity.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Inspector General may not be removed from office by the Governor during that term, except for good cause.
</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 7.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187024 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_C6C21B96-8997-4201-AC62-A52F9153FDE4">
<ns0:Num>187024.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Subject to applicable law, the Inspector General shall select, appoint, and employ officers and employees necessary to carry out the functions of the office. In making these selections, the Inspector General shall ensure that those officers and employees have the requisite training and experience to enable the Inspector General to carry out their duties effectively.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
To recruit and retain qualified officers and employees with the relatively higher level of education, expertise, knowledge, and ability necessary to perform time-sensitive, technically complex reviews of the
project, the Inspector General may, notwithstanding any other law, adopt and make use of the classifications, associated salary ranges, and other forms of compensation established or otherwise used by other state agencies identified by the Inspector General as performing comparable oversight work, so long as the Inspector General determines that any individual to be hired meets or exceeds applicable eligibility requirements and minimum qualifications.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 8.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187026 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>187026.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Inspector General may contract for goods and services that the Inspector General deems necessary for the furtherance of the purposes of the office.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For a contract up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) in value, the Inspector General shall be exempt from all contract requirements of the Public Contract Code that require oversight, review, or approval by the Department of General Services or any other state agency.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 9.</ns0:Num>
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The heading of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 187030) of Division 19.7 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading id="id_9D4B5539-1DC9-48F7-A504-DABCA47A0571" type="CHAPTER">
<ns0:Num>3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_8857E469-098F-46F5-B18D-6F03EB273199">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Responsibilities of the Inspector General of the High-Speed Rail</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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</ns0:LawHeading>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_DC90DDBC-6C41-4515-BFB7-371E5D4E5873">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 10.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187035 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_92DA4FF1-1EF0-48E1-8D84-8E8B8809DAE7">
<ns0:Num>187035.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_3D408613-B657-40C7-85A0-287CE9335BCE">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Inspector General shall not destroy any papers or memoranda used to support a completed audit or review sooner than three years after the corresponding report is published or delivered pursuant to Section 187037.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All books, papers, records, and correspondence of the office pertaining to its work are public records subject to Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code and shall be filed at any of the regularly maintained offices of the Inspector General, except that none of the following items or papers of which these items are a part shall be released to the public by the Inspector General or the employees of the Inspector General:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Personal papers and correspondence of any person providing assistance to the Inspector General when that person has requested in writing that their papers and correspondence be kept private and confidential. Those papers and correspondence shall become public records if the written request is withdrawn, or upon the order of the Inspector General.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Papers, correspondence, memoranda, or any substantive information pertaining to any audit or review not completed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Papers, correspondence, or memoranda pertaining to any audit or review that has been completed, which papers, correspondence, or memoranda are not used in support of any report resulting from the audit or review.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any survey of public employees or contracted staff that the Inspector General determines should be kept confidential to
deter retaliation if the employees or staff respond to the survey.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any papers, correspondence, memoranda, electronic communications, or other documents pertaining to internal discussions between the Inspector General and the Inspector General’s staff, or between staff members of the Inspector General, or any personal notes of the Inspector General or the Inspector General’s staff.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any record of an investigation conducted under this division, including, but not limited to, all investigative files and work product, except that the Inspector General, whenever the Inspector General determines it necessary to serve the interests of the state, may issue a public report of the results of an investigation that has substantiated a violation of laws, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public
health and safety. Except as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 187032, the Inspector General may also release any findings or evidence supporting any findings resulting from an investigation conducted pursuant to this division whenever the Inspector General determines it necessary to serve the interests of the state.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_79C13BFD-0531-4707-A768-B9E9872D81C2">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 11.</ns0:Num>
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Section 187037 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_055EE675-C02A-417C-9F60-86C7F6458F64">
<ns0:Num>187037.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0AED9D79-0C1C-4C54-8A7D-40601B644FD5">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Except as provided in subdivision (b), upon completion of an audit or review conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 187030, the Inspector General shall do all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Publish a complete report on its internet website.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide, in compliance with policies developed by the Inspector General, notification of the published report to the Governor and the High-Speed Rail Authority.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Submit a copy of the published report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Inspector General shall not make a report publicly available pursuant to subdivision (a) if the Inspector General determines that the report, or a portion of the report, would describe or otherwise reveal weaknesses, including those involving information security, physical security, fraud detection controls, or pending litigation, that could be exploited by individuals attempting to harm the interests of the state or inappropriately benefit from the project.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If the Inspector General makes a determination pursuant to paragraph (1), the Inspector General shall deliver a confidential report, or a confidential portion of the completed report, that describes and makes recommendations to resolve the identified weaknesses to state officials with oversight of the project, which may include the executive director and board chair of the High-Speed Rail Authority, the chairs of the Assembly Committee on Transportation and the
Senate Committee on Transportation, or the Governor.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_4F45EBC5-87CB-4333-A0BB-CC1968625474">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 12.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:PUC:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'19.7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'3.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'187038.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
Section 187038 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Utilities Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_D5934115-242E-4EA8-9088-263C78F042B6">
<ns0:Num>187038.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_F31DB13D-3D98-4EF8-90B0-C55F14F506D2">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the Inspector General shall report at least annually to the Legislature and the Governor a summary of its findings, positive and negative, of any reviews, investigations, or audits published pursuant to Section 187037 at the beginning of each fiscal year and upon request of
the Legislature or Governor. The summary shall be posted on the office’s internet website and otherwise made available to the public upon its release to the Legislature and the Governor. The summary shall include, but not be limited to, significant problems discovered by the office, and whether previous recommendations the office has made have been implemented.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the Inspector General shall report annually to the Legislature and the Governor on findings related to the High-Speed Rail Authority’s planning and delivery of the project. This report shall include updates on the High-Speed Rail Authority’s efforts to remedy any identified findings, and whether any identified findings have been addressed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Inspector General shall maintain a list of identified findings, and the status of the High-Speed Rail Authority’s
efforts to address them, and shall post that list on the office’s internet website.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Reports to be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_B0E7A961-FBE1-4945-A4DD-8FC4F15B3A60">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 13.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares that Sections 10 and 11 of this act, which add Sections 187035 and 187037 to the Public Utilities Code, impose a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:</html:p>
<html:p>Keeping certain records and reports of the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail confidential is necessary to enable the Inspector General to fully conduct audits and investigations and may be necessary,
under certain circumstances, to ensure the security of the high-speed rail project. Under these circumstances, keeping these records and reports confidential outweighs the interest in public disclosure of the information contained in these records and reports.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>