Assemblyman Jim Patterson’s bill to strengthen Legislative oversight of California’s controversial $68 billion high-speed rail project was approved unanimously in the Assembly Appropriations Committee Wednesday and is expected to receive the same unanimous support on the Assembly floor.

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Assembly Bill 2847 would implement two recommendations from the Legislative Analyst’s Office that would strengthen the public and Legislature’s oversight on the High Speed Rail Authority.

Patterson’s bill requires the Rail Authority to provide more detailed information about the cost, scope and schedule of each project segment to make it easier to track changes in the project.

The proposed legislation also requires business plans to include financing costs associated with the planned system and construction of the various segments.

This is the second unanimous, bi-partisan approval of AB 2847. The first was in the Assembly Transportation Committee in April.

Because the bill was approved on the consent calendar in the Appropriations Committee, it will be placed on the consent calendar for a vote of whole the Legislature and is expected to pass without discussion or debate.

Patterson (R-Fresno) represents the 23rd Assembly District, which includes communities in Fresno and Tulare County. He also served as mayor of Fresno from 1993 to 2001.