June 16, 2022

RAIL

MOVING AMERICA FORWARD

Jessie Samwel, Community Planner

Office of Transportation Planning and Project Engineering 

Interstate Rail Compact Grant Program
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Presenters 

Knox Ross

Chairman, 

The Southern Rail 

Commission

John Spain

Vice-Chairman, 

The Southern Rail 

Commission

Laura Kliewer

Director, Midwest 

Interstate Passenger 

Rail Commission

Dan Logsdon

Director, National 

Center for Interstate 

Compacts, Council of 

State Governments

Jessie Samwel

Community Planner, 

Federal Railroad 

Administration
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Agenda 

• Overview of the Interstate Rail Compact Grant Program and Next Steps

Jessie Samwel, Community Planner, Federal Railroad Administration

• Interstate Compacts: History and Current Uses

Dan Logsdon, Director, National Center for Interstate Compacts, Council of State Governments

• Interstate Rail Compacts in Action

Laura Kliewer, Director, Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission 

Knox Ross, Chairman, and John Spain, Vice-Chairman, The Southern Rail Commission

• Questions and Discussion
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Overview of the

Interstate Rail Compact

Grant Program
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Purpose of Interstate Rail Compact Program 

Competitive grant program to provide 

financial assistance to entities 

implementing an interstate compact 

pursuant to section 410 of the Amtrak 

Reform and Accountability Act.

Support interstate rail compacts to allow 

them to expand their roles to be the 

primary entity coordinating the 

development of multistate rail networks 

through building the compact capacity. 
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Applicants: • Entities implementing an interstate 

compact pursuant to section 410 of the 

Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act

Activities: • Cost of administration • Systems planning • Promotion of intercity passenger rail 

operations

• Preparation of applications for

competitive Federal grant programs

• Service operations coordination 

Eligible Applicants and Activities 
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Selection Criteria 

FRA will show preference for the 

following criteria in a proposed project 

application
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Award Limitations 

$ $3,000,000

Set aside per fiscal year

$1,000,000

Maximum award per year of

And...

• Multi-year grants may be awarded

• Amtrak must be operator of services in Compact’s region

No more than a total of

10 Awards

Per year

Non-Federal 50% match required 
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Relation to Other BIL Grant Programs 

• Interstate Rail Compacts are eligible applicants for other FRA grant programs:

o Corridor Identification and 

Development Program

o Federal-State Partnership for 

Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program

o Restoration and Enhancement 

Grant Program

o Consolidated Rail Infrastructure 

and Safety Improvements (CRISI) 

Grant Program

o More information on new and 

enhanced grant programs under the 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 

https://railroads.dot.gov/BIL
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Next Steps
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Timeline for Implementation 

Summer 2022

• FRA to release Request for Information (RFI)

• FRA to hold listening session for potential eligible applicants

Fall 2022

• Tentative timeframe for release of Notice of Funding Opportunity 

(NOFO)
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Establishing Interstate Rail Compacts 

• FRA partnering with AASHTO and National Center for Interstate 

Compacts to offer support establishing interstate rail compacts
INTERSTATE 

COMPACTS

History and Current Uses
What Is an Interstate Compact?

• A legislatively enacted agreement between states in their sovereign 

capacity as states

• Simple, versatile, and proven tool

• Effective means of cooperatively addressing common problems

• Allows states to respond to national priorities with one voice

• Retains collective state sovereignty over issues belonging to states
Benefits of Interstate Compacts

• Effectiveness and efficiency

o Economies of scale

• Flexibility and autonomy compared to national policy

o “One size does not fit all”

• Dispute resolution between or among the states

• State and federal partnership

• Cooperative behaviors leading to “win-win” solutions
Benefits of Interstate Compacts (cont.)

• Unified approach to shared problems

• Threat of a federally mandated solution 

• Advances in technology

• Distrust of federal government 

• Fill void left by federal inaction

• Proven track record 
Interstate Compacts in History

“No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, 

confederation, or alliance whatever between them, without 

the consent of the United States in Congress assembled . . .”

Articles of Confederation of 1781, art. VI.

“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress . . . enter 

into any Agreement or Compact with another state . . . .”

U.S. Constitution, art. 1, sec. 10, cl. 3.
Congressional Consent

Compacts between states are authorized under Art. I, Sec. 

10, Cl. 3 of the U.S. Constitution:

No state shall, without the Consent of Congress ... enter into 

any Agreement Compact with another State ...”

Consent isn’t required unless the compact infringes on the 

federal supremacy.

U.S. Steel Corp v. Multi-State Tax Comm’n, 434 U.S. 452 (1978).
Primary Uses of Interstate Compacts

Multistate administration of a wide variety of state issues:

• Crime Control and Corrections

• Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision

• Child Welfare

• Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children

• Taxation

• Multistate Tax Compact

• Environmental and Pollution Control

• Low Level Radioactive Waste Compacts

• Mutual Aid

• Emergency Management Assistance Compact

• Insurance

• Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact

• Education

• Military Children’s Compact Commission

• Midwestern Higher Education Compact

• Manage Shared Natural Resources

• Use and allocation of interstate rivers and river basins

• Land use planning

• Resolve Boundary Disputes

• Virginia – Tennessee Boundary Agreement of 1803

• Missouri – Nebraska Compact of 1990

• Regional Economic Development and 

Transportation

• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Primary Uses of Interstate Compacts

• Nurse Licensure Compact

• Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

• Physical Therapy Compact

• Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

• EMS Compact

• Audiology and Speech Language 

Pathology Compact

• Occupational Therapy Compact

• Counseling Compact

• Advanced Practice Nursing Compact

• Cosmetology Licensure Compact

• Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Compact

• Massage Therapy Compact

• Social Work Licensure Compact

• K-12 Teaching Compact

• School Psychologists

• Dieticians and Nutritionists

Occupational Licensure:
Compacts Today

• Approximately 265 active compacts 

• Precedence for international participation

• On average states are members of about 25 compacts

• Port Authority of NY & NJ (1922) signaled a new era in 

compacts by creating a new bi-state agency 
Compact vs. Non-Compact Agreement

• What is a Compact? RGGI, EZ-Pass, SBAC

o "State" action v. agency or agency officials' actions

o Authority / powers granted

o Binding

o Interpretation
Compact vs. Uniform Laws

• How uniform do you want?

o Text

o Interpretation and application

o Enforceability

o Withdrawal
Compact Development Process

Phase I

Development

Phase II

Education and Enactment

Phase III

Transition and Operation

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GROUP

• Composed of approximately 20 state officials, 

stakeholders and issue experts

• Examines issues, current policy, best practices, and 

alternative structures

• Establishes recommendations as to the content of an 

interstate compact

COMPACT DOCUMENT TEAM

• Composed of 5 to 8 state officials, stakeholders, and 

issue experts

• Crafts compact based on Technical Assistance (TA) 

Group recommendations

• Circulates draft compact to states and stakeholder 

groups for comment

FINAL PRODUCT

• Drafting team considers comments and incorporates 

into compact

• Final product sent to TA group

• Released to states for consideration

EDUCATION

• Develop comprehensive legislative resource kit

• Develop informational website with state-by-state 

tracking and support documents

• Convene “National Briefing” to educate legislators 

and key state officials

STATE SUPPORT

• Develop network of “champions”

• Provide on-site technical support and assistance

• Provide informational testimony to legislative 

committees

STATE ENACTMENTS

• Track and support state enactments

• Prepare for transition and implementation of compact

• Provide requested support as needed

TRANSITION

• Enactment threshold met

• State notification

• Interim Executive Board appointed

• Interim Committees established

• Convene first Compact meeting

• Information system development (standards, 

security, vendors)

OPERATION

• Ongoing state control and governance

• Staff support

• Annual assessment, if necessary

• Annual business meeting

• Information system oversight (maintenance, security, 

training, etc.)

• Long-term enhancements / up-grades
FRA INTERSTATE

RAIL COMPACT

GRANT PROGRAM

WEBINAR

Creation and 

Evolution of the 

Midwest Interstate 

Passenger Rail 

Commission (MIPRC)

Laura Kliewer, Director, 

MIPRC

June 16, 2022
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Originally conceived by a midwestern Legislative Conference task 

force 

• Held several meetings with FRA, state DOTs, and advocacy groups to develop 

compact language

• 12 midwestern states eligible to join; compact became “effective” upon 

three states’ enactment. Each state had to pass uniform legislation. 

• Originally met mainly in Washington, D.C., to educate and advocate for 

better passenger rail funding and collaboration at the federal level. Now 

primarily meet in member states on a rotating basis, with a smaller 

delegation trip to D.C.

History of MIPRC
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I. Statement of Purpose

II. Establishment of Commission

III. Commission Membership

IV. Powers and Duties of Commission

• Duties: What commission MUST do

• Powers: Other things the commission CAN do

V. Officers

VI. Meetings and Commission Administration

VII. Finance

VIII. Enactment, Effective Date, and Amendments

IX. Withdrawal, Default, and Termination

What is MIPRC? Aspects of the Compact
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The purpose of MIPRC, through member states and partners, is to 

promote, coordinate, and support passenger rail service 

improvements through: 

• Development and implementation of plans and improvements for Midwest 

intercity passenger rail service 

• Advocacy for midwestern interests regarding passenger rail development

• Support of our state Departments of Transportation passenger rail plans

• Leadership in the FRA-led regional rail planning efforts 

What is MIPRC? 
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What the Commission MUST Do

• Functional Aspects (adopt Bylaws; expend funds necessary to carry out 

powers and duties; report annually)

• Policy Aspects: 

• Advocacy: funding and authorization necessary to make passenger rail 

improvements a reality for the region

• Seek partnerships

• Seek development of long-term plan

• Cooperate with other agencies, regions, and entities to ensure Midwest is 

adequately represented and integrated into national plans

What is MIPRC? Duties
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What the Commission CAN Do

• Functional Aspects (establish an office; hire staff; contract for or provide 

services; assess dues; conduct research; establish committees)

• Policy Aspects: 

• Advocacy to implement passenger rail plans, as approved by Commission

• Educate on the advantages of passenger rail as an integral part of a regional 

intermodal transportation system

• Make recommendations to member states

• If requested by states, and under the terms of a formal agreement, implement 

or provide oversight for specific rail projects

What is MIPRC? Powers
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Three states had to enact the compact before it was originally 

“effective” (came into being). That happened in 2000. Current 

member states include:

Who is MIPRC?

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• North Dakota

• Wisconsin

*Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio & 

South Dakota are also eligible 

to join the compact
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Each member state has four primary appointments to the 

commission:

MIPRC Commissioners

 House Appointee

• Primary

• Alternate (optional)

 Senate Appointee(s)

• Primary

• Alternate (optional)

 Gubernatorial Appointees (2)

• Governor or governor’s designee

• Private sector appointee
3,000-mile, 9-state passenger rail system with Chicago as the hub; 63 trainsets

4 to 17 daily trains in each direction at speeds up to 110 mph 

• Chicago-Detroit/Grand Rapids/Port Huron

• Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland

• Chicago-Indianapolis-Cincinnati

• Chicago-Carbondale

• Chicago-St. Louis-Kansas City

• Chicago-Quincy/Quad Cities-Des Moines-Omaha

• Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-LaCrosse-St. Paul

• Chicago-Milwaukee-Green Bay

Overall Economic Benefit: $23 billion

Permanent New Jobs: 57,450

Estimated Average Annual Jobs During Construction (10-year build-out): 15,200 
Midwest Regional Rail Initiative
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FRA-Led Midwest Regional Rail Plan (MWRRP)

Building on the original MWRRI plan, the Midwest Regional Rail Plan (MWRRP), 

released in October 2021, was developed over several years under an FRA-led 

planning project 

• MIPRC and the twelve midwestern state DOTs were the primary stakeholders for the plan’s 

development, with other entities – such as Amtrak, Class I railroads, metropolitan planning 

organizations, advocacy groups, and chambers of commerce – serving in a supporting role

• The MWRRP is a vision for what passenger rail in the Midwest could look like in 40 years. It’s a 

high-level, conceptual plan, envisioning a robust network of multiple frequencies linking major 

cities and smaller towns, that capitalizes on the benefits that a multistate system, rather than 

an individual corridor approach, will bring.

• The plan also envisions advancing and elevating MIPRC “as a governance structure with the 

clear authority, responsibility and mandate for overseeing and implementing the outcomes of 

the Midwest’s intercity rail planning initiative.” (MWRRP executive summary)
FRA Midwest Regional Rail Plan Network

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Next Steps

Over the next several years, MIPRC and the midwestern state DOTs will 

work to refine and prioritize/phase corridor development to ensure that 

the region builds on current plans to create a robust Midwest passenger 

rail network, serving all the states, and both urban and rural communities.

• MIPRC plans to apply for federal funding to conduct ridership and revenue 

forecasts for routes identified in the MWRRP, Amtrak Connects US Corridor 

Vision Plan, State Rail Plans, and State Long-Range Transportation Plans

• The plan will identify a phasing strategy for corridors across the Midwest 

and would also identify development and implementation strategies
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The Southern

Rail Commission
Contact Us

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Connect with us at USDOTFRA

FRA

Jessie Samwel

Phone: 202-493-0454

Email: Jessie.Samwel@dot.gov

MIPRC

Laura Kliewer

Phone: 603-925-1922

Email: miprc@miprc.org

NCIC

Dan Logsdon

Phone: 859-244-8226

Email: dlogsdon@csg.org

The Southern Rail Commission

Knox Ross

Phone: 601-692-3569

Email: knoxross@gmail.com

John Spain

Phone: 225-397-6126

Email: Jspain@braf.org