CA AB1574

Repeals and re-enacts the California High-Speed Rail Act, continuing the High-Speed Rail Authority with 9 members (5 appointed by Governor with Senate confirmation, 2 by Senate Committee on Rules, 2 by Speaker of Assembly) within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

Requires the Authority to adopt policies for high-speed train development, prepare and adopt a business plan by January 1, 2014 and every two years thereafter, and establish an independent peer review group to evaluate planning, engineering, and financing.

Authorizes the Authority to appoint an executive director exempt from civil service and up to 6 additional exempt staff positions (chief program manager, up to 3 regional directors, chief financial officer, director of risk management).

Grants the Authority power to select alignments for high-speed train routes, adopt franchise award criteria, and set or establish guidelines for passenger fares.

Requires the Authority to prepare and submit a high-speed train capital program to the Legislature by November 1 of each even-numbered year covering six fiscal years of projected capital improvements.