Article 5. Powers And Functions of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 12.7. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 5.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.