SB1376 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 06764 AXK 16805 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB1376

Introduced 2/9/2017, by Sen. Karen McConnaughay

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2705/2705-400	was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25a
20 ILCS 2705/2705-430	was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25g

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (Department of Transportation Law). Provides that the Department of Transportation is authorized to exercise those powers necessary for the State to qualify for rail assistance funds pursuant to relevant federal or State legislation (rather than pursuant to provisions of the federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, or other relevant federal or State legislation). Provides that the Department is authorized to review all impending rail abandonments and provide its recommendations on those abandonments to the federal Surface Transportation Board (rather than to the Interstate Commerce Commission). Removes a requirement for the Department to report results of a review of the effects of all rail freight service assistance to the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Sections 2705-400 and 2705-430 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-400) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25a)

Sec. 2705-400. Authorization concerning rail assistance funds. The Department is hereby authorized to exercise those powers necessary for the State to qualify for rail assistance funds pursuant to the provisions of the federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, or other relevant federal or State legislation, including but not limited to authority to do the following:

(1) Establish a State plan for rail transportation and local rail services, including projects funded under Section 2705-435.

(2) Administer and coordinate the State plan.

(3) Provide in the plan for the equitable distribution of federal rail assistance funds among State, local, and regional transportation authorities.

(4) Develop or assist the development of local or regional rail plans.

(5) Promote, supervise, and support safe, adequate, and efficient rail services in accordance with the provisions and limitations of Public Act 79-834.

(6) Employ sufficient trained and qualified personnel for these purposes.

(7) Maintain, in accordance with the provisions and limitations of Public Act 79-834, adequate programs of investigation, research, promotion, and development in connection with these purposes and provide for public hearings.

(8) Provide satisfactory assurances on behalf of the State that fiscal control and fund accounting procedures will be adopted by the State that may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement of and account for federal funds paid to the State as rail assistance.

(9) Comply with the regulations of the Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation affecting federal rail assistance funds.

(10) Review all impending rail abandonments and provide its recommendations on those abandonments to the federal Surface Transportation Board Interstate Commerce Commission.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-430) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25g)

Sec. 2705-430. Railroad freight service assistance; lines designated for discontinuation of service or subject to abandonment. The Department shall enter into agreements with any railroad as necessary to provide assistance for continuous freight service on lines of railroads within Illinois designated for discontinuation of service by the United States Railway Association Final System Plan and not conveyed to a railroad company other than Consolidated Rail Corporation. The Department may enter into such agreements with any railroad as necessary to provide assistance for continuous rail freight service on lines of railroads within Illinois subject to an abandonment proceeding in the federal Surface Transportation Board Interstate Commerce Commission or classified as potentially subject to abandonment pursuant to Sections 10903 through 10905 of Title 49 of the United States Code or upon which a certificate of discontinuance or abandonment has been issued. The Department shall make rail continuation subsidy payments pursuant to the agreements. The agreements shall provide for a minimum level of service at least equivalent to that provided in calendar year 1975. The agreements shall conform to relevant federal law. The Department shall determine that all payments under this Section are eligible for federal share reimbursement.

Any nonfederal share of the assistance provided under this Section shall be provided by the Department. The State share may include funds, grants, gifts, or donations from the federal government, any local public body, or any person.

Reimbursements shall be deposited in the State fund from which the assistance was paid.

The Department shall provide technical assistance to any local public body or rail user to ensure that rail freight services under these agreements are, to the extent possible, adequate to the needs of Illinois citizens.

The Department shall review the effects of the rail freight service assistance provided under this Section and shall report the results of its review to the General Assembly each year not later than March 15, reporting particularly on the service provided through the assistance, the utilization of rail freight service by shippers, and the cost effectiveness of this rail freight service assistance program in relation to the economy of this State.

The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report with the Speaker, the Minority Leader, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the President, the Minority Leader, and the Secretary of the Senate and the Legislative Research Unit, as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act and by filing additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.

For the purpose of promoting efficient rail freight service, the Department shall have the power to either grant or loan funds to any railroad or unit of local government in the State to maintain, improve, and construct rail facilities. The Department shall also have the power to grant or loan funds to any rail users located on an abandoned line, unit of local government, or an owner or lessee of an abandoned railroad right-of-way to undertake substitute service projects that reduce the social, economic, and environmental costs associated with the loss of a particular rail freight service in a manner less expensive than continuing that rail freight service. To facilitate the continuation of rail freight services, the Department shall have the power to purchase railroad materials and supplies.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.