Public Records Act

The COVID 19 state of emergency has impacted our processing times for some Public Records Act requests. Our staff is still receiving and processing requests consistent with Government Code section 6250 et. seq., but due to staff working from multiple remote locations, coordination in the retrieval and review of records may take more time. The Authority endeavors to complete Public Records Act requests with minimal delay. We will let you know as soon as possible if there is any delay anticipated for your request. Thank you for your patience.

The California Public Records Act (Government Code §6250 et. seq.) requires that government records be made available for inspection and/or disclosure to the public, unless exempted by law. To make a public records request, see the guidelines below.

How to Submit a Records Request to the Authority

The Authority encourages written requests submitted via our portal.

To send a written request via postal mail:

California High-Speed Rail Authority
Public Records Officer
770 L Street, Suite 620 MS1
Sacramento, CA, 95814

Written requests should include details that will enable staff to identify and locate the requested records. The request should include a telephone number or e-mail address where you can be reached to discuss the request, should additional information to locate the records be needed.

The Authority strives in all cases to provide a response, informing the requestor whether responsive records will be provided, within 10 days. If the Authority is unable to make a determination regarding the request within 10 days due to unusual circumstances, as defined in Government Code section 6253(c), the Authority will notify the requestor of the reason for the delay and the date when the determination will be issued. No such notice shall specify a date that results in an extension of more than 14 days.

Exempt Records

The Authority may refuse to disclose any records exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6254). Reasons the Authority may refuse to disclose records include but are not limited to:

• Preliminary drafts, notes, or inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda which are not retained by the Authority in the ordinary course of business, if the public interest in withholding such records clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
• Records pertaining to pending litigation to which the Authority is a party, or to claims made pursuant to Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) until such litigation or claim has been finally adjudicated or otherwise settled.
• Personnel, medical, or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
• Geological and geophysical data, plant production data and similar information relating to utility systems development, or market or crop reports, which are obtained in confidence from any person;
• Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examination.
• Records of which the disclosure is exempt or prohibited pursuant to provisions of federal or state law, including, but not limited to, provisions of the Evidence Code relating to privilege.
• Correspondence of and to the Governor or employees of the Governor’s Office or in the custody of or maintained by the Governor’s legal affairs secretary.

Requests should be specific, focused, and not interfere with the ordinary business operations of the Authority.