INTERSTATE PASSENGER RAIL COMPACT H.B. 5638: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5638 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Jerry O. Kooiman
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would enact the "Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact" and enter into the Compact with all jurisdictions legally joining it.
The Compact states that its purposes are to do the following:
-- 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 of the United States.
-- 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.
-- Support efforts of transportation agencies involved in developing and implementing passenger rail service in the Midwest.
To further its purposes, the Compact creates a commission consisting of four resident members of each state to carry out the duties specified in the Compact. Except as otherwise provided for, the money necessary to finance the commission in carrying forth its duties, responsibilities, and powers must be appropriated to the commission by the member states, when authorized by their legislatures, by equal apportionment among them.
The states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are eligible to join the Compact. As to any eligible party state, the Compact will become effective when its legislature enacts it into law.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create an indeterminate cost for the State. The Compact agreement would not obligate the State to make any payments to the commission. However, as a member of the Compact, the State would be asked to pay dues, support activities of the commission, or contribute to commission projects. Those expenditures would be subject to the appropriation process. Current members of the Compact have been asked to pay annual dues of up to $15,000. There also would be a cost for staff time and travel to commission meetings and events.
Date Completed: 5-3-06 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5638/0506