Full Speed Ahead or Falling Behind Schedule? Senator Cortese Examines CA’s High-Speed Rail Project

WHAT: California State Senator Dave Cortese (D – San Jose), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, will convene a Senate Transportation Committee Informational Hearing to receive and take testimony on the state’s High-Speed Rail Project’s 2026 Draft Business Plan. 

The 2026 Draft Business Plan serves as an update to the spring 2025 Project Update Report (PUR) and fall 2025 Supplemental Project Update Report (SPUR). Between the SPUR and 2026 Draft Business Plan, the Authority is envisioning a restructuring of their approach to the project. This approach involves a complete bottoms-up cost review, potential scope changes to the project, a set of new legislative asks, and shifting focus to private partnership opportunities.

HSR is the most significant, active infrastructure investment within California and across the U.S. The Informational Hearing will focus on accountability, oversight and transparency and is aligned with the Senator’s recently introduced legislative package relating to HSR operations, including:

  • SB 1177 – Strengthening oversight of the HSR project by requiring key data and analyses to remain part of regular reports to the Legislature, ensuring continued transparency and accountability.

  • SB 1375 – Providing targeted CEQA exemptions to major transportation hubs like Diridon Station in San José that directly connect with HSR. The measure reflects the extensive environmental review already completed and the project’s substantial environmental, mobility, housing, and economic benefits.   

  • SB 1425 – Authorizing the HSR to grant encroachment permits on rights-of-ways to promote regional development and bolster emergency management services.  

WHEN: Monday, April 27, 2026 at 3 PM or Upon Adjournment of Senate Floor Session

WHERE: Capitol Annex Swing Space (1021 O Street, Sacramento, CA), Room 2100

WHO:

  • Dave Cortese, Senator, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee

  • California High-Speed Rail Authority

    • Ian Choudri, Chief Executive Officer, California High-Speed Rail Authority

    • Mark Tollefson, Chief of Staff, California High-Speed Rail Authority 

  • Fiscal and Program Analysis

    • Helen Kerstein, Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Legislative Analyst’s Office

    • Benjamin M. Belnap, High-Speed Rail Inspector General 

MEDIA RSVP – Media is kindly asked to RSVP with Mario B. Lopez via email at mario.lopez@sen.ca.gov 

You may also view the Informational Hearing on the CA Senate Transportation Committee’s webpage here. 

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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