CHAPTER 498

S.P. 208 - L.D. 599

An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force

on Rail Transportation and Correct an Inconsistency

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13058, sub-§19 is enacted to read:

19.__Coordinate assessment of transportation needs related to economic development projects. The commissioner shall coordinate the activities of the department, the State Planning Office within the Executive Department, the Department of Transportation and regional planning and economic development organizations to ensure that the location of rail lines, potential use of passenger and freight rail and costs of transportation improvements related to development are considered during initial planning and locating of projects reviewed by the commissioner in administering economic development programs under this chapter.

Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §74 is enacted to read:

§74.__Freight transportation advisory council

1. Purpose; membership. The Commissioner of Transportation shall establish a freight transportation advisory council to facilitate discussion and provide insight into issues pertaining to freight transportation in the State.__The commissioner shall invite no fewer than 20 people from the private sector to participate as members of the council.__Membership must include representatives of various geographic areas of the State. Membership must include at least one person with experience in each of the following: