The agency charged with building the nation's first bullet train system in California took two big steps Monday.

However, the legality of both is under fire, thanks to some very specific conditions imposed on the controversial project by the 2008 ballot measure that authorized its construction with nearly $10 billion in state bonds.

Critics — including the former legislator who was the major champion of a bullet train — contend that how it's now being proposed would violate those conditions, and their contentions will be tested in lawsuits.

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