California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 187030

(1) Commencing with the project update report required pursuant to Section 185033.5 that is due on or before March 1, 2023, to conduct independent fiscal estimates and reviews of the High-Speed Rail Authority's plans and estimates for project advancement and make findings of the reasonableness of those plans and estimates.

(2) Commencing with the project update report required pursuant to Section 185033.5 that is due on or before March 1, 2023, to monitor progress toward meeting the milestones toward the implementation of the successful completion of the Merced to Bakersfield segment of the project, consistent with subdivision (a).

(3) To conduct audits and investigations relating to delivery of the project.

(4) To identify best practices in the delivery of capital projects and recommend policies to enable the High-Speed Rail Authority to adopt these practices when practicable.

(5) To recommend policies promoting efficiency in the administration of programs and operations as part of any audit findings.

(6) To review the High-Speed Rail Authority process for considering proposed and executed change orders and to make any recommendations to ensure the process is appropriate for determining the merit and reasonableness of change orders.

(7) To review the High-Speed Rail Authority's contracts and contracting practices to determine whether they are executed consistent with state and federal laws and policies and are conducted in a fair and reasonable manner, providing the state with valued services at reasonable cost.

(8) To review proposed agreements to ensure that they are in the best interest of the state, the High-Speed Rail Authority's statutory mission, and state priorities.

(9) To review or investigate adherence to contract provisions, including, but not limited to, billing and invoicing requirements, of any public or private entity, including a High-Speed Rail Authority contractor, that receives project funds.