California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 160005

(a) To acquire real and personal property of every kind for rail purposes by grant, gift, devise, lease, or eminent domain, and to hold, use, sell, lease, or transfer any such property.

(b) To enter into any contract necessary for its powers.

(c) To establish or change rates, charges, and services. The Public Utilities Commission has no jurisdiction over the district or any of its activities except as to matters of public safety.

(d) To indemnify and defend any railroad corporation, regardless of its negligence, that operates rail services for the district pursuant to contract.

(e) To appoint an executive officer, and to employ staff and legal counsel.

(f) To sue and be sued.

(g) To indemnify and defend the Department of Transportation with respect to the transfer of rights-of-way, stations, rail passenger equipment, and facilities, and contracts, leases, or agreements relative to those properties whose ownership or responsibility is transferred to the district in accordance with the terms of an agreement to be negotiated.