132354-132354.6

PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE
SECTION 132354-132354.6




132354.  The consolidated agency shall have and may exercise all
rights and powers, expressed or implied, that are necessary to carry
out the purposes and intent of this chapter, including, but not
limited to, the power to do all of the following:
   (a) Sue and be sued.
   (b) (1) To acquire any property by any means, and to hold, manage,
occupy, develop, jointly develop, dispose of, convey, or encumber
property.
   (2) To create a leasehold interest in property for the benefit of
the consolidated agency.
   (c) To acquire, by eminent domain, any property necessary to carry
out any of its powers or functions.
   (d) To merge or split parcels, adjust boundary lines, or take
similar actions as part of the acquisition of land or as needed in
order to carry out its functions.
   (e) To construct, acquire, develop, jointly develop, maintain,
operate, lease, and dispose of work, property, rights-of-way, and
facilities.
   (f) To appoint necessary employees, including counsel, and to
define their qualifications and duties.
   (g) To enter into and perform all necessary contracts.
   (h) To fix and collect fees for any services rendered by it.
   (i) To adopt a seal and alter it at the consolidated agency's
pleasure.
   (j) To adopt an annual budget and to fix the compensation of its
officers, board members, and employees.
   (k) To establish and enforce rules and regulations for the
administration, operation, and maintenance of facilities and
services.
   (l) To enter joint powers arrangements with other entities.
   (m) To provide insurance.
   (n) To issue bonds.
   (o) To do any other things necessary to carry out the purposes of
this chapter.


132354.1.  The board shall arrange for a post audit of the financial
transactions and records of the consolidated agency to be made at
least annually by a certified public accountant.



132354.2.  This chapter is necessary for the public health, safety,
and welfare, and shall be liberally construed to carry out the
objects and purposes of this chapter and the declared policy of the
state as set forth in this chapter.


132354.3.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the federal
government, the state, and local agencies within the jurisdictional
area of the consolidated agency will participate in support of the
consolidated agency. It is further the intent of the Legislature that
financial support for the activities of the consolidated agency will
be made available from federal, state, and local sources normally
available for transportation and other planning purposes in the
region and for those functions consolidated within the consolidated
agency.


132354.4.  The consolidated agency shall be excluded from the
requirements of a "local agency" set forth in Section 53091 of the
Government Code.


132354.5.  Nothing in this chapter authorizes the consolidated
agency to operate public transit systems.



132354.6.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the consolidated
agency shall not have any authority over local land use decisions
affecting permitting or zoning of public or private development
projects.