The Legislature makes the following findings:
(1) It is important for the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the State that the people of the State have sufficient quality public infrastructure.
(2) The ability of the State to provide sufficient quality public infrastructure will be enhanced by a program providing for private entities to undertake all or a portion of the study, planning, design, development, financing, acquisition, installation, construction, reconstruction, improvement, operation, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure facilities, including facilities related to transportation, water, astewater, public buildings or any other public facility, and appurtenances thereto.
(3) Public-private initiatives provide the public sector with increased access to project opportunities and private sector expertise by:
(a) Facilitating the collaboration and cost and risk sharing in public infrastructure projects between public and private partners;
(b) Bringing innovative thinking from the private sector to bear on public infrastructure needs within the State;
(c) Reducing the public cost of project delivery and services for eligible facilities;
(d) Expediting project delivery;
(e) Encouraging life cycle efficiencies in public infrastructure projects;
(f) Fostering flexibility in procurement methods to provide the best value to the public; and
(g) Providing better use and leverage of public resources, increasing private investment in public infrastructure facilities, enhancing capital formation for large projects and providing savings to taxpayers.
The Legislature intends that the powers granted to cities, local agencies, counties, special districts, regional transportation agencies, any department or agency of the State and any other agencies in this Act are in addition to any other powers authorized under applicable law.