AB 1523: San Bernardino County Transportation Authority: design-build.

The County Transportation Commissions Act provides for the creation of county transportation commissions in specific counties, with various powers and duties relative to transportation planning and funding, as specified.

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Consolidation Act of 2017, within the County Transportation Commissions Act, creates the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). The SBCTA is subject to the contracting provisions of the County Transportation Commissions Act, including the requirement that the SBCTA purchase of all supplies, equipment, and materials, and the construction of all facilities and works, in excess of $25,000, be by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder.

Existing law, until January 1, 2025, authorizes local agencies to use the design-build contracting process for public works projects. Existing law defines local agency as cities and counties, certain special districts relating to wastewater, solid waste, water recycling, and fire protection facilities, various governmental entities responsible for the construction of transit projects, and the San Diego Association of Governments. Existing law defines project specifically for each described category of local agency.

This bill would authorize the SBCTA, upon approval of its board of directors, to use the design-build contracting process for local agencies to award a contract for the construction of the Mt. Vernon Avenue Viaduct project in the City of San Bernardino (the project).

Existing law requires specified information submitted by a design-build entity, as defined, in the design-build procurement process to be certified under penalty of perjury.

By authorizing SBCTA to use design-build for the project, the bill would expand the scope of the crime of perjury and would thus impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the project.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.