The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Congress has enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), which provides in part for supplemental federal funding to the states for purposes of the federal-aid highway program.

(b) It is in the interest of the state to ensure that the highway infrastructure investment funds apportioned to the state under the federal act are fully obligated within the constraints of that act.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department, in consultation with the commission, regional transportation planning agencies, counties, and cities, shall have sufficient authority to make full and expeditious use of federal funds apportioned to the state for economic stimulus.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that, to the extent allowable under the federal act, priority be given to the use of stimulus funds available for expenditure by the Department of Transportation for projects that repair or rehabilitate the existing transportation system and to advance funds for projects under the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 that have been delayed or are in jeopardy of being canceled due to the state’s inability to issue general obligation bonds in the short term. In the programming of these funds, consideration shall be given to activities that put Californians to work and provide needed economic stimulus throughout the state.

(e) It is the intent of the Legislature that highway infrastructure investment funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are used to contribute to a transportation system that is in sound structural condition, accommodates all users, is environmentally sustainable, and allows for the efficient mobility of goods and people.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the deadlines for obligating and liquidating funds established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 apply to all federal funds appropriated by this chapter.

(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that the recipients of highway infrastructure investment funds made available under the federal act, including state, regional, and local agencies, shall adhere to principles and policies that ensure government oversight and management of the contracting process to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely; contracts are not wasteful, inefficient, or subject to misuse; unnecessary no-bid and cost-plus contracts are avoided; and contracts are awarded according to the best interests of California taxpayers.

(h) As used in this chapter, “federal act” shall mean the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

(Added by Stats. 2009, 3rd Ex. Sess., Ch. 21, Sec. 2. Effective March 27, 2009.)