(a)
The authority shall have the responsibility within the area of its jurisdiction to study, plan, and implement any improvements, expansion, or enhancements of existing or future public transportation ferries and related facilities and services.
(b)
The authority may commission planning, engineering, economic, and other studies to provide information to the board for making decisions about the location, design, management, and other features of future public transportation ferries and related facilities and services.
(c)
(1)Not later than 60 days after the effective date of this title, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority shall transfer and assign to the authority all contracts in force for study and development of possible water transportation services in the bay area region.
(2)
The transfer of contracts required under this subdivision shall include the contemporaneous transfer of revenue from state or federal grants, local funds, and other sources of revenue committed and adequate to fund the contracts until their completion.
(d)
The policy direction for the study described in subdivision (c) shall become the responsibility of the authority. The authority shall consider the concepts and ideas of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and other entities, both public and private.
(e)
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, or its successor agency, shall cooperate with the authority to include all public transportation ferries plans and facilities selected by the authority in the regional transportation plan consistent with state and federal law.