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2003 SESSION

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SJ 354 Railroad freight and passenger transportation in Virginia.

Introduced by: John S. Edwards | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Railroad freight and passenger transportation in Virginia. Requests the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority. In conducting its study, the Department shall (i) analyze the feasibility of various options to finance improvements to railroad freight and passenger transportation in Virginia, including strategies that may be considered by the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority, pursuant to SB 1279 (2003); (ii) conduct a literature search of national best practices relative to creating rail authorities and other relevant issues; (iii) examine how the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority can finance and facilitate financing of the acquisition, construction, repair, improvement, and extension of rail facilities, including rolling stock and infrastructure that the Authority determines to be in the public interest; and (iv) recommend the appropriate structure, powers and duties of the Authority, and revenue and sources of revenue needed to perform its responsibilities. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation must complete its meetings by November 30, 2003, and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a document.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Study; Virginia Freight Rail Authority. Requests the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to investigate the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority for the purpose of providing or facilitating financing required for the acquisition, construction, repair, and extension of rail facilities, including rolling stock and infrastructure, that are determined by the Authority to be in the public interests. The Department is also requested to recommend to the General Assembly how the Authority could be structured, how it could obtain the revenues essential to its purposes, and what powers and duties it could have.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Study; Virginia Freight Rail Authority. Requests the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study the desirability and feasibility of creating a Virginia Freight Rail Authority to finance improvements to railroads parallel to Interstate Route 81 so that shipments now moving along I-81 can be shifted to those railroads.