Sec. 9307. North Atlantic Rail Interstate Compact
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/bill/117/hr/3684/eh/section-9307·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Chapter 249 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 24905 the following: Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall appoint a director for the North Atlantic Rail Interstate Compact (referred to in this section as the Compact ) in collaboration with states identified in paragraph (2)(A). The Compact shall be governed by a board of directors, which shall be composed of directors, of whom— 2 directors shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation; 1 director shall be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of Amtrak; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of Connecticut; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of Maine; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of New Hampshire; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of New York; 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island; and 2 directors shall be appointed by the Governor of Vermont.
Of the individuals appointed pursuant to each of the clauses
(iii)through
(ix)of paragraph (1)— 1 shall be the head of the respective State department of transportation; and the other director appointed by the respective governor— shall serve for a 5-year term; shall be a resident of the appointing governor’s State; may not be an employee of the government of such State; and shall be an expert in transportation policy, finance, public policy, planning or a related discipline associated with the purpose and mission of the Compact. Directors shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions of subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. The purpose of the Compact shall be to construct, on an accelerated basis, a North Atlantic Rail Network in order— to provide clean, safe, coordinated and efficient high-speed and high-performance passenger rail transportation in the 7-State North Atlantic Rail Network region; including the improvement of existing intercity passenger rail services; to reduce carbon emissions from auto and air transportation in such region in order to meet the greenhouse gas performance targets established under section 150(d) of title 23; and to provide employment opportunities and economic development in the cities and regions served by a North Atlantic Rail Network. The directors and officers of the Compact may appoint and fix the pay of such personnel, as they consider necessary and appropriate, to advance the design and construction of a North Atlantic Rail Network. The Compact, in designing and constructing a North Atlantic Rail Network, shall coordinate and cooperate with— the Secretary of Transportation; the Northeast Corridor Commission; Amtrak; State departments of transportation, regional transportation authorities, and other State-established entities, responsible for the provision of passenger rail in the North Atlantic Rail Network region; and freight railroads that host passenger trains or operate freight trains over passenger rail lines within the territory. Notwithstanding the existing service along the Northeast Corridor, the Compact shall construct a North Atlantic Rail Network, which may include— additional high-speed rail service between Boston and New York; a high-performance network of intercity passenger rail transportation throughout the 7-State region; and an integrated network of metropolitan passenger rail transportation coordinated with the high-speed rail service referred to in subparagraph (A). The Compact shall have the same authorities provided to interstate compacts in section 410 of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 ( 49 U.S.C. 24101 note), including— receiving appropriations— to plan, design, engineer, and acquire property (including railroad rights-of-way); to conduct competitive procurements; to enter into construction contracts; to form project labor agreements; and to construct a North Atlantic Rail Network; utilizing all design-build and other alternative procurement policies and practices approved by the Department of Transportation; utilizing existing authorities to expedite reviews for infrastructure investment within existing rights of way under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ); and contracting with Amtrak, State departments of transportation, or related operating entities within the 7-State North Atlantic Rail Network region to design or construct elements of a North Atlantic Rail Network. The Compact shall commence operations and be eligible for appropriated funding in any State that has ratified the Compact, upon the ratification of a minimum of 2 states of the Compact. If a State department of transportation or its related operating entity owns the right-of-way for a rail line segment within a North Atlantic Rail Network, such department or entity shall be responsible for the design and construction of improvements on such segment of a North Atlantic Rail Network. Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(D), all work done in existing rail right-of-way shall be performed only in accordance with the rail collective bargaining agreements applicable to work performed on such right-of-way. . The analysis for chapter 249 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 24905 the following: 24905A. North Atlantic Rail Interstate Compact; North Atlantic Rail Network. . Upon the earlier of the completion of the construction of all of the elements of a North Atlantic Rail Network created pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of section 24905A of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, or the date that is 20 years after the date of the enactment of this Act— the North Atlantic Rail Interstate Compact established pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of such section shall be dissolved; and the assets of the North Atlantic Rail Interstate Compact shall be transferred to Amtrak.
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