In each annual proposed budget prepared by the Department of Transportation under Section 165 of the Streets and Highways Code, the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall be set aside for allocations to the Public Utilities Commission for the purpose of paying to the railroad or street railroad corporations the share of the costs to cities, counties, and cities and counties of maintaining automatic grade-crossing protection. The Public Utilities Commission may recommend a sum greater than one million dollars ($1,000,000) be set aside for allocations to the Public Utilities Commission for the purpose of making those payments, if the Public Utilities Commission finds that the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) is not sufficient due to an increase in the number of grade-crossing protection devices, or increase in the cost of maintenance of those devices. The specific amount of the total allocation shall be determined by the California Transportation Commission and shall constitute the amount necessary for that maintenance. In arriving at the amount, the California Transportation Commission shall consult with the Public Utilities Commission. Payment shall be made on the basis of verified claims filed with the Public Utilities Commission by the railroad or street railroad corporation responsible for maintenance of automatic grade-crossing protection. Any amounts not expended by the Public Utilities Commission in any one fiscal year may be credited to subsequent annual allocations.
Funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall be available for allocation and expenditure without regard to fiscal years.
(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1524, Sec. 1.)