USC Chapter 227

in effect

49 U.S.C. § 22701 Definitions

In this subchapter: 11 So in original. Probably should be “chapter:”. (1) Private benefit.—(A) In general.—The term “private benefit”—(i) means a benefit accrued to a person or private entity, other than Amtrak, that directly improves the economic and competitive condition of that person or entity through improved assets, cost reductions, service improvements, or any other means as defined by the Secretary; and (ii) shall be determined on a project-by-project basis, based upon an agreement between the parties. (B) Consultation.—The Secretary may seek the advice of the States and rail carriers in further defining this term. (2) Public benefit.—(A) In general.—The term “public benefit”—(i) means a benefit accrued to the public, including Amtrak, in the form of enhanced mobility of people or goods, environmental protection or enhancement, congestion mitigation, enhanced trade and economic development, improved air quality or land use, more efficient energy use, enhanced public safety or security, reduction of public expenditures due to improved transportation efficiency or infrastructure preservation, and any other positive community effects as defined by the Secretary; and (ii) shall be determined on a project-by-project basis, based upon an agreement between the parties. (B) Consultation.—The Secretary may seek the advice of the States and rail carriers in further defining this term. (3) State.—The term “State” means any of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. (4) State rail transportation authority.—The term “State rail transportation authority” means the State agency or official responsible under the direction of the Governor of the State or a State law for preparation, maintenance, coordination, and administration of the State rail plan.

49 U.S.C. § 22702 Authority

(a) In General.—Each State may prepare and maintain a State rail plan in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (b) Requirements.—The Secretary shall establish the minimum requirements for the preparation and periodic revision of a State rail plan, including that a State shall—(1) establish or designate a State rail transportation authority to prepare, maintain, coordinate, and administer the plan; (2) establish or designate a State rail plan approval authority to approve the plan; (3) submit the State’s approved plan to the Secretary of Transportation for review; and (4) revise and resubmit a State-approved plan no less frequently than once every 4 years for acceptance by the Secretary.

49 U.S.C. § 22703 Purposes

(a) Purposes.—The purposes of a State rail plan are as follows:(1) To set forth State policy involving freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter rail operations, in the State. (2) To establish the period covered by the State rail plan. (3) To present priorities and strategies to enhance rail service in the State that benefits the public. (4) To serve as the basis for Federal and State rail investments within the State. (b) Coordination.—A State rail plan shall be coordinated with other State transportation planning goals and programs, including the plan required under section 135 of title 23, and set forth rail transportation’s role within the State transportation system.

49 U.S.C. § 22704 Transparency; coordination; review

(a) Preparation.—A State shall provide adequate and reasonable notice and opportunity for comment and other input to the public, rail carriers, commuter and transit authorities operating in, or affected by rail operations within the State, units of local government, and other interested parties in the preparation and review of its State rail plan. (b) Intergovernmental Coordination.—A State shall review the freight and passenger rail service activities and initiatives by regional planning agencies, regional transportation authorities, and municipalities within the State, or in the region in which the State is located, while preparing the plan, and shall include any recommendations made by such agencies, authorities, and municipalities as deemed appropriate by the State.

49 U.S.C. § 22705 Content

(a) In General.—Each State rail plan shall, at a minimum, contain the following:(1) An inventory of the existing overall rail transportation system and rail services and facilities within the State and an analysis of the role of rail transportation within the State’s surface transportation system. (2) A review of all rail lines within the State, including proposed high-speed rail corridors and significant rail line segments not currently in service. (3) A statement of the State’s passenger rail service objectives, including minimum service levels, for rail transportation routes in the State. (4) A general analysis of rail’s transportation, economic, and environmental impacts in the State, including congestion mitigation, trade and economic development, air quality, land-use, energy-use, and community impacts. (5) A long-range rail investment program for current and future freight and passenger infrastructure in the State that meets the requirements of subsection (b). (6) A statement of public financing issues for rail projects and service in the State, including a list of current and prospective public capital and operating funding resources, public subsidies, State taxation, and other financial policies relating to rail infrastructure development. (7) An identification of rail infrastructure issues within the State that reflects consultation with all relevant stakeholders. (8) A review of major passenger and freight intermodal rail connections and facilities within the State, including seaports, and prioritized options to maximize service integration and efficiency between rail and other modes of transportation within the State. (9) A review of publicly funded projects within the State to improve rail transportation safety and security, including all major projects funded under section 130 of title 23. (10) A performance evaluation of passenger rail services operating in the State, including possible improvements in those services, and a description of strategies to achieve those improvements. (11) A compilation of studies and reports on high-speed rail corridor development within the State not included in a previous plan under this subchapter,11 So in original. Probably should be “chapter,”. and a plan for funding any recommended development of such corridors in the State. (b) Long-Range Service and Investment Program.—(1) Program content.—A long-range rail investment program included in a State rail plan under subsection (a)(5) shall, at a minimum, include the following matters:(A) A list of any rail capital projects expected to be undertaken or supported in whole or in part by the State. (B) A detailed funding plan for those projects. (2) Project list content.—The list of rail capital projects shall contain—(A) a description of the anticipated public and private benefits of each such project; and (B) a statement of the correlation between—(i) public funding contributions for the projects; and (ii) the public benefits. (3) Considerations for project list.—In preparing the list of freight and intercity passenger rail capital projects, a State rail transportation authority should take into consideration the following matters:(A) Contributions made by non-Federal and non-State sources through user fees, matching funds, or other private capital involvement. (B) Rail capacity and congestion effects. (C) Effects on highway, aviation, and maritime capacity, congestion, or safety. (D) Regional balance. (E) Environmental impact. (F) Economic and employment impacts. (G) Projected ridership and other service measures for passenger rail projects.

49 U.S.C. § 22706 Review

The Secretary shall prescribe procedures for States to submit State rail plans for review under this title, including standardized format and data requirements. State rail plans completed before the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 that substantially meet the requirements of this chapter, as determined by the Secretary, shall be deemed by the Secretary to have met the requirements of this chapter.