California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 132652

(a) The authority is hereby established for purposes of planning, developing, delivering, and operating cost-effective and responsive transit connectivity, between BART's rapid transit system and the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service, that reflects regional consensus and meets the goals and objectives of the San Joaquin Valley and Tri-Valley communities, consistent with the project feasibility report adopted pursuant to Section 132661.

(b) The authority shall be considered a rail transit district for the purposes set forth in Article 5 (commencing with Section 53090) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code.