After January 1, 1980, with respect to the construction, purchase, or lease for a period of five years firm term or more, of buildings for the conduct of state business which are located or will be located in a standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) with a population of 250,000 or more according to the most recent decennial census, which is served by a public transit operator, the State Public Works Board, the Department of Finance, and the Department of General Services shall give consideration to the location of existing public transit corridors in the area. Construction, purchase, or lease of buildings for a period of five years firm term or more at locations outside of existing public transit corridors may be approved after the board or department, as the case may be, has determined that the purpose of the facility does not require transit access or the transit operator will provide service as needed, to effectively serve the facility. However, the determination that the purpose of the facility does not require transit access shall not be made if the facility employs more than 200 people or directly serves the public. The board or departments may request the assistance of the transit operator in making their determination and shall notify the operator of their decision. This section does not apply to buildings described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 70374.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 592, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)