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85.063

85.063 Urban rail transit systems.

85.063(1)

(1) Definitions. In this section:

85.063(1)(b)

(b) "Urban area" means any area that includes a city, village or town having a population of 50,000 or more that is appropriate, in the judgment of the department, for an urban rail transit system.

85.063(1)(c)

(c) "Urban rail transit system" means a system, either publicly or privately owned, which will provide transportation by rail to the public on a regular and continuing basis.

85.063(2)

(2) Administration. The department shall administer an urban rail transit system program to plan, design and engineer urban rail transit systems for urban areas in the state.

85.063(3)

(3) Grants.

85.063(3)(a)

(a) Legislative findings. The legislature finds that development of urban rail transit systems to serve urban areas of this state will enhance the welfare of all of the citizens of this state through conservation of fuel, enhancement of the development of alternative transportation modes and improvement of air quality. The legislature further finds that private capital is unavailable and local government resources are insufficient for development of urban rail transit systems. The legislature finds that providing grants for the development of urban rail transit systems is consistent with the state's support of other modes of mass transit and that the grant program authorized under this subsection is therefore a valid governmental function serving proper public purposes.

85.063(3)(b)

(b) Authorized grants.

85.063(3)(b)1.

1. Upon completion of a planning study under sub. (2), or, to the satisfaction of the department, of a study under s. 85.022, a political subdivision in a county, or a transit authority created under s. 66.1039, that includes the urban area may apply to the department for a grant for property acquisition for an urban rail transit system.

85.063(3)(b)2.

2. The department may make such grants from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (1) (bt).

85.063 - ANNOT.

History: 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 246; 2009 a. 28.