H.P. 1138 - L.D. 1594
Resolve, to Create the Commission to Study Establishing a Rail Authority to Develop Rail Service from Calais to Eastport and Brewer
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study Establishing a Rail Authority to Develop Rail Service from Calais to Eastport and Brewer, referred to in this resolve as the "commission," is established as follows.
1. Appointments. Appointments to the commission must be made within 30 days of the effective date of this resolve. The commission consists of the following members appointed by the Commissioner of Transportation:
A. One member from each of the county commissioner districts within Washington County in which state-owned railroad rights-of-way are located;
B. One member from each of the county commissioner districts within Hancock County in which state-owned railroad rights-of-way are located;
C. One member from each of the county commissioner districts within Penobscot County in which state-owned railroad rights-of-way are located;
D. One member who is a member of the Eastport Port Authority;
E. One member who is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe;
F. One member who represents the Department of Transportation;
G. One member who represents an economic development agency in an area located along the state-owned railroad rights-of-way; and
H. Three members who represent municipal governments of municipalities located along state-owned railroad rights-of-way.
2. Duties. The commission shall examine the potential uses of rail service from Calais to Eastport and Brewer along existing railroad rights-of-way owned by the State. It shall make projections as to the volume of traffic along a developed railway, estimate the costs of developing the rights-of-way and review methods of funding and implementing the development of the rights-of-way. The commission shall also make recommendations regarding whether a public authority should be established to fund and implement the development of the rights-of-way. If the commission recommends the use of a public authority, the commission shall also make recommendations on the membership, powers, administration and other matters related to the operation of the public authority.
3. Meetings; election of chair. Within 30 days after appointment of all members, the Commissioner of Transportation shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. The commission shall select a chair from among its members. Additional meetings may be called by the chair or by a majority of commission members.
4. Compensation. Commission members serve without per diem and expenses.
5. Staffing. The Department of Transportation shall provide the commission with staffing and clerical support from within existing resources.
6. Report. The commission shall submit its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by January 15, 1999. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters is authorized to report out legislation during the First Regular Session of the 119th Legislature regarding the establishment of a public authority to develop rail service between Calais, Eastport and Brewer.
Effective June 30, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.
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