CHAPTER 21. INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT
IC 8-3-21
Chapter 21. Interstate Rail Passenger Network Compact
IC 8-3-21-1
Ratification
Sec. 1. The interstate rail passenger network compact is ratified,enacted, and entered into by the state of Indiana with all other statesjoining the compact in the form substantially as this chapter.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-2
Policy and purpose
Sec. 2. It is the policy of the states party to this compact tocooperate and share the administrative and financial responsibilitiesconcerning the operation of an interstate rail passenger networksystem connecting major cities in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. The participating states agree thata rail passenger system would provide a beneficial service and wouldbe enhanced if operated across state lines.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-3
Rail passenger network financial and economic impact study
Sec. 3. (a) The states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee,Georgia, and Florida (referred to in this chapter as "participatingstates") agree, upon adoption of this compact by the respective states,to jointly conduct and participate in a rail passenger networkfinancial and economic impact study. The study must do thefollowing:
(1) Carry forward research previously performed by the nationalrailroad passenger corporation (Amtrak) (report issuedDecember 1990) and the Evansville Amtrak task force (reportissued November 1990) that evaluated the "western route"(Chicago-Evansville-Nashville-Chattanooga-Macon-Waycross-Jacksonville) for purposes of evaluating a representative serviceschedule, train running times, and associated costs.
(2) Include consideration of the following:
(A) The purchase of railroad equipment by a participatingstate and the lease of the railroad equipment to Amtrak.
(B) The recommendation that a member of the council serveon the Amtrak board of directors.
(C) The periodic review of projected passenger trafficestimates on the western route.
(D) Any other matter related to the financial and economicimpact of a rail passenger network along the western route.
(b) Information and data collected during the study undersubsection (a) that is requested by a participating state or aconsulting firm representing a participating state or the compact maybe made available to the state or firm. However, the information maynot include matters not of public record or of a nature considered to
be privileged and confidential unless the state providing theinformation agrees to waive the confidentiality.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-4
Mutual assistance
Sec. 4. The participating states agree to do the following:
(1) Make available to each other and to a consulting firmrepresenting a participating state or the compact assistance thatis available, including personnel, equipment, office space,machinery, computers, engineering, and technical advice andservices.
(2) Provide financial assistance for the implementation of thefeasibility study that is available.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-5
Interstate rail passenger advisory council
Sec. 5. The interstate rail passenger advisory council (referred toin this compact as the "council") is created. The membership of thecouncil consists of three (3) individuals from each participating state.The governor, president pro tempore of the senate, and speaker of thehouse of representatives shall each appoint one (1) member of thecouncil.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-6
Duties of council
Sec. 6. The council shall do the following:
(1) Meet within thirty (30) days after ratification of thisagreement by at least two (2) participating states.
(2) Establish rules for the conduct of the council's business,including the payment of the reasonable and necessary travelexpenses of council members.
(3) Coordinate all aspects of the rail passenger financial andeconomic impact study under section 3 of this chapter.
(4) Contract with persons, including postsecondary educationalinstitutions, for performance of any part of the study undersection 3 of this chapter.
(5) Upon approval of the study, determine the proportionateshare that each state will contribute toward the implementationand management of the proposed restoration of the interstaterail passenger system along the western route.
(6) Make recommendations to each participating statelegislature concerning the results of the study required by thischapter.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.134.
IC 8-3-21-7
Effective date Sec. 7. This compact becomes effective upon the adoption of thecompact into law by at least two (2) of the participating states.Thereafter, the compact becomes effective for another participatingstate upon the enactment of the compact by the state.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-8
Withdrawal from compact
Sec. 8. This compact continues in force with respect to aparticipating state and remains binding upon the state until six (6)months after the state has given notice to each other participatingstate of the repeal of this chapter. The withdrawal may not beconstrued to relieve a participating state from an obligation incurredbefore the end of the state's participation in the compact.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.
IC 8-3-21-9
Construction and severability
Sec. 9. (a) This compact shall be liberally construed to effectuatethe compact's purposes.
(b) The provisions of this compact are severable. If:
(1) a phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact isdeclared to be contrary to the constitution of a participatingstate or of the United States; or
(2) the applicability of this compact to a government, anagency, a person, or a circumstance is held invalid;
the validity of the remainder of this compact and the compact'sapplicability to any government, agency, person, or circumstance isnot affected.
(c) If this compact is held contrary to the constitution of aparticipating state, the compact remains in effect for the remainingparticipating states and in effect for the state affected for allseverable matters.
As added by P.L.58-1992, SEC.1.