160005-160006
PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE
SECTION 160005-160006
160005. In addition to powers delegated to the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board by a joint exercise of powers agreement pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 1328 of the Statutes of 1987, the district has all of the following powers: (a) To acquire real and personal property of every kind for rail purposes by grant, gift, devise, lease, or eminent domain, and to hold, use, sell, lease, or transfer any such property. (b) To enter into any contract necessary for its powers. (c) To establish or change rates, charges, and services. The Public Utilities Commission has no jurisdiction over the district or any of its activities except as to matters of public safety. (d) To indemnify and defend any railroad corporation, regardless of its negligence, that operates rail services for the district pursuant to contract. (e) To appoint an executive officer, and to employ staff and legal counsel. (f) To sue and be sued. (g) To indemnify and defend the Department of Transportation with respect to the transfer of rights-of-way, stations, rail passenger equipment, and facilities, and contracts, leases, or agreements relative to those properties whose ownership or responsibility is transferred to the district in accordance with the terms of an agreement to be negotiated. 160006. (a) If the district acquires stations, facilities, and passenger equipment owned or leased by the Department of Transportation for the passenger rail service provided by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company between San Francisco and San Jose and points in between, and if the district acquires from the Department of Transportation the right-of-way between San Francisco and San Jose presently owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, the district may own, operate, construct, manage, and maintain rights-of-way, stations, facilities, and equipment necessary for the operation of rail passenger and freight services between San Francisco and Alma and points in between, and may contract with any railroad corporation for the purchase of, or to subsidize, service between San Francisco and Alma and points in between. Upon completion of the conditions specified in subdivision (a) of Section 14035.4 of the Government Code, the district may provide commuter rail service between San Jose and Gilroy. (b) Any assets transferred from the Department of Transportation to the district without compensation shall be transferred with all attendant obligations, liabilities, debts, and grant conditions established by the department, including Urban Mass Transportation Administration grants and sale and leaseback contracts.