I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3143 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 7, 2011 Mr. McCarthy of California (for himself, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Denham, Mr. Herger, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Issa, and Mr. McClintock) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To freeze the availability of Federal funding for high-speed rail projects in California, and for other purposes.

1.

High-speed rail funding freeze

The Federal Government shall not obligate or expend any funds for high-speed rail projects in California until after September 30, 2012.

2.

Comptroller General report

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a report that— (1)assesses the accuracy of ridership projections made by the California High Speed Rail Authority; (2)projects the amount of Federal or State funding that will be needed to complete the construction of the California High Speed Rail project, and projects the amount of Federal or State funding that will be needed annually for operation, maintenance, and debt amortization of the California High Speed Rail project; (3)projects the ticket prices and ridership levels that would be necessary for the project to be self sustaining using each of several total project cost estimates that have been made for the California High Speed Rail project, including, but not limited to, the report prepared by the California High Speed Rail Authority, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, and at least one private sector entity, both— (A)assuming no Federal or State government funding for capital costs or operational and maintenance costs; and (B)calculated based on varying levels of Federal or State government funding, up to 90 percent of the self sustaining ticket price, for capital costs and operational and maintenance costs; (4)compares the individual and Federal and State taxpayer costs of various travel trips, using the California High Speed Rail project estimates described in paragraph (3), with those costs if making those trips using other modes of transportation available in California, such as railroads, airplanes, and automobiles, including car rentals; (5)identifies any adverse economic impacts resulting from the exercise of eminent domain with respect to private property for the project; and (6)where feasible, compares the California High Speed Rail project and other high speed rail projects that have received funds under title XII of Public Law 111–5.