High-Speed Rail Authority: Senate confirmation.

Assembly Member Wilson's proposal to modify High-Speed Rail Authority appointments would require Senate confirmation for the five members appointed by the Governor. The measure maintains the Authority's existing 11-member structure, which includes nine voting members and two non-voting legislative representatives.

Under current law, the Governor directly appoints five Authority members without legislative oversight, while the Senate Committee on Rules and Assembly Speaker each appoint two voting members. The proposed change would add a Senate confirmation requirement specifically for gubernatorial appointments while preserving other aspects of the appointment process, including the mandate that appointing authorities consider geographic diversity to ensure statewide representation.

The bill retains other key governance elements of the Authority, including four-year terms for voting members, staggered appointment schedules, and internal leadership positions elected from among voting members. The Authority would continue to require five voting members for a quorum, and all members remain subject to California's Political Reform Act requirements regarding conflicts of interest and financial disclosures.