MIDWEST INTERSTATE RAIL COMPACT

House Bill 5638

Sponsor:  Rep. Jerry O. Kooiman

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 3-6-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5638 AS INTRODUCED 2-7-06

With the enactment of this bill, the State of Michigan would join the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact.

The states eligible to join the compact are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  Other states could join with the approval of the Compact Commission.

The stated purposes of the Compact are, through joint or cooperative action, to:

·                    Promote development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest.

·                    Coordinate interaction among Midwestern state elected officials and their designees on passenger rail issues.

·                    Promote development and implementation of long-range plans for high speed rail passenger service in the Midwest and among other regions.

·                    Work with the public and private sectors at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure coordination among the various entities having an interest in passenger rail service and to promote Midwestern interests regarding passenger rail service.

·                    Support efforts of transportation agencies involved in developing and implementing passenger rail service in the Midwest.

The Compact creates a commission to carry out certain specified duties.  The commission is made up of four residents of each member state: the governor or a designee; a private sector representative appointed by the governor; and two legislators, one from each chamber (except for Nebraska, which has a unicameral legislature).  The operations of the commission are to be financed by equal apportionment by the compacting states (although a state's funding would depend on appropriations by its legislature).  The compact does not commit a member state to participate in financing a rail project except as provided by law of a member state.  Withdrawal from the compact requires enactment of a statute repealing entry into the compact and would take effect one year after enactment.

The Compact's duties would include:

·                    Advocating for the funding and authorization necessary to make passenger rail improvements a reality.

·                    Identifying and seeking to develop ways states can for partnerships, including with the rail industry and labor, to implement improved passenger rail.

·                    Seeking development of long-term, interstate plan for high speed rail passenger service implementation.

·                    Cooperating with others to see that Michigan is adequately represented and integrated in national rail passenger plans.

·                    Reporting annually to the legislatures and governors of member states.

Additional optional duties include various advocacy, educational, research, and coordination activities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   William Hamilton

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.