Once in a Lifetime Infrastructure Investment: CA’s High-Speed Rail Project Accountability Hearing
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Monday, April 27th, 2026, California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, convened an Informational Hearing to receive and take testimony on the state’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) Project’s statutorily required 2026 Draft Business Plan.
The hearing, titled Review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority 2026 Draft Business Plan, included testimony from HSR Authority Chief Executive Officer, Ian Choudri, independent HSR Authority Inspector General, Benjamin M. Belnap as well as staff from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The informational hearing was set to assess the current status of the HSR project.
“HSR is the most significant, active infrastructure investment here in California and across the U.S. It is about building a future that matches the ambition of our generation,” said Senator Cortese. “It means cleaner transportation, good-paying jobs, and a more connected California. But delivering on that vision requires transparency, accountability, and strong legislative oversight every step of the way. If we want to compete, reduce emissions, and leave behind infrastructure we can be proud of, we have to think big—and high-speed rail is exactly that kind of investment.”
The project continues to face significant hurdles. The recent loss of approximately $4 billion in federal funding has created new uncertainty. While the renewal of Cap-and-Invest secured a $1 billion annual appropriation from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, those revenues remain variable and may not fully meet long-term needs. Additionally, ongoing delays and the challenge of aligning funding streams with construction timelines continue to complicate progress.
“California’s high-speed rail project remains the largest public works project in the country and a major economic driver—especially in the Central Valley,” Cortese added. “To date, it has generated approximately 122,000 job-years of employment, $9.5 billion in labor income, and more than $24 billion in total economic activity. That impact is real and meaningful.”
“I appreciate the Senate Transportation Committee’s thoughtful engagement and expressions of support for the path forward to deliver California High-Speed Rail smarter, faster, and more economically,” said Ian Choudri, Chief Executive Officer for CHSRA. “Under my leadership, the Authority remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and a delivery-focused approach as we accelerate the program forward to lay the nation’s first high-speed rail tracks this year.”
The hearing provided lawmakers and the public an opportunity to better understand the current construction underway in Central Valley, evaluate proposed changes to the project’s scope, and examine the costs and timelines moving forward.
“As policymakers, our responsibility is to ensure that this project delivers on its promises in a way that is fiscally responsible, transparent, and aligned with California’s long-term transportation and climate goals,” said Cortese. “This hearing is an important step in that ongoing oversight.”
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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