CHAPTER 19. INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED RAIL COMPACT
IC 8-3-19
Chapter 19. Interstate High Speed Rail Compact
IC 8-3-19-1
Ratification; text of compact
Sec. 1. The "Interstate High Speed Intercity Rail PassengerNetwork Compact" is hereby ratified, enacted into law and enteredinto by the state of Indiana with all other states legally joining thereinin the form substantially as follows:
INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED INTERCITY
RAIL PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT
ARTICLE I POLICY AND PURPOSE
Because the beneficial service of and profitability of a high speedintercity rail passenger system would be enhanced by establishingsuch a system which would operate across state lines, it is the policyof the states party to this compact to cooperate and share jointly theadministrative and financial responsibilities of preparing a feasibilitystudy concerning the operation of such a system connecting majorcities in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, WestVirginia, and Kentucky.
ARTICLE II COOPERATION
The states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois,West Virginia, and Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as participatingstates, agree to, upon adoption of this compact by the respectivestates, jointly conduct and participate in a high speed intercity railpassenger feasibility study by providing such information and dataas is available and may be requested by a participating state or anyconsulting firms representing a participating state or the compact. Itis mutually understood by the participating states that suchinformation shall not include matters not of public record or of anature considered to be privileged and confidential unless the stateproviding such information agrees to waive the confidentiality.
The participating states further agree to:
(a) Make available to each other and to any consulting firmrepresenting the member states or the compact such assistance asmay be legal, proper and available, including but not limited topersonnel, equipment, office space, machinery, computers,engineering and technical advice and services; and
(b) Provide such financial assistance for the implementation of thefeasibility study as may be legal, proper and available.
ARTICLE III INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER
ADVISORY COUNCIL
There is hereby created an interstate rail passenger advisorycouncil, the membership of which shall consist of two (2)representatives from each participating state, one (1) representativefrom each state shall hold a bachelor of science degree in eitherengineering or transportation science, and shall be appointed by thegovernor of the participating state and the other shall be the chairmanof the state's railroad authority, but in the event said state does nothave a railroad authority, the second member shall be the director of
the participating state's transportation agency. The members shallselect designees who shall serve in the absence of the members. Theadvisory council shall meet within thirty (30) days after ratificationof this agreement by at least two (2) participating states and establishrules for the conduct of the advisory council's business.
The advisory council shall coordinate all aspects of the high speedintercity rail passenger feasibility study relative to interstateconnections and shall do all other things necessary and proper for thecompletion of the feasibility study.
ARTICLE IV EFFECTIVE DATE
This compact shall become effective upon the adoption of thecompact into law by two (2) or more of the participating states.Thereafter, it shall enter into force and effect as to any otherparticipating state upon the enactment thereof by such state.
This compact shall continue in force with respect to aparticipating state and remain binding upon such state until six (6)months after such state has given notice to each other participatingstate of the repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall not be construed torelieve any participating state from any obligation incurred prior tothe end of the state's participation in the compact as provided herein.
ARTICLE V CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate thepurposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severableand if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact isdeclared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating stateor of the United States, or the applicability thereof to anygovernment, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, thevalidity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereofto any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not beaffected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to theconstitution of any participating state, the compact shall remain infull force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force andeffect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.107, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-19-2
Disbursements; appropriations; per diem; reimbursement forexpenses
Sec. 2. (a) Should the disbursement of any funds be necessary toenable the Interstate Rail Passenger Advisory Council to perform itsdesignated functions as described in section 1 of this chapter, saidfunds shall be appropriated from the high speed rail developmentfund.
(b) Each member of the Interstate Rail Passenger AdvisoryCouncil who is a representative from Indiana is entitled to theminimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). Such amember is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses andother expenses actually incurred in connection with the member'sduties, as provided in the state travel policies and proceduresestablished by the department of administration and approved by the
budget agency.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.107, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.74-1990,SEC.1; P.L.83-1991, SEC.2.