A bill granting the consent of the Congress to an interstate compact for the preparation of a feasibility study for the development of a system of high-speed intercity rail passenger service.
PL 98-358 (H.R.4308), enacted 07/13/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-358—JULY 13, 1984 
98 STAT. 399 
Public Law 98-358 
98th Congress 
An Act 
Granting the consent of the Congress to an interstate compact for the preparation of 
a feasibility study for the development of a system of high-speed intercity rail 
passenger service. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Congress 
consents to the Interstate High Speed Intercity Rail Passenger 
Network Compact as participated in by the States of Illinois, Indi-
ana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, which States have enacted 
such compact into law, said any other State which subsequently 
becomes a participant through enactment of the compact. Such 
compact is substantially as follows: 
"INTERSTATE fflGH SPEED INTERCITY RAIL PASSENGER 
.: 
NETWORK COMPACT 
July 13, 1984 
[H.R. 4308] ~ 
Illinois. 
Indiana. 
Michigan. 
Ohio. 
Pennsylvania. 
"ARTICLE I—POUCY AND PURPOSE 
"Because the beneficial service of and profitability of a high speed 
intercity rail passenger system would be enhanced by establishing 
such a system which would operate across state lines, it is the policy 
of the states party to this compact to cooperate and share jointly the 
administrative and financial responsibilities of preparing a feasi-
bility study concerning the operation of such a system connecting 
major cities in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West 
Virginia, and Kentucky. 
"ARTICLE n—COOPERATION 
"The states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, 
West Virginia, and Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as participat-
ing states, agree to, upon adoption of this compact by the respective 
states, jointly conduct and participate in a high speed intercity rail 
passenger feasibility study by providing such information and data 
as is available and may be requested by a participating state or any 
consulting firms representing a participating state or the compact. 
It is mutually understood by the participating states that such 
information shall not include matters not of public record or of a 
nature considered to be privileged and confidential unless the state 
providing such information agrees to waive the confidentiality. 
"The participating states further agree to: 
"(a) Make available to each other and to any consulting firm 
representing the member states or the compact such assistance as 
may be legal, proper and available, including but not limited to 
personnel, equipment, office space, machinery, computers, engineer-
ing and technical advice and services; and 
"(b) Provide such financial assistance for the implementation of 
the feasibility study as may be legal, proper and available. 
West Virginia. 
Kentucky. 
Public 
availability. 
Confidentiality. 
98 STAT. 400 
PUBLIC LAW 98-358—JULY 13, 1984 
"ARTICLE III—INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER ADVISORY COUNCIL 
"There is hereby created an interstate rail passenger advisory 
council, the membership of which shall consist of two representa-
tives from each participating state. The members shall select desig-
nees who shall serve in the absence of the members. The advisory 
council shedl meet within thirty days after ratification of this agree-
ment by at least two participating states and establish rules for the 
conduct of the advisory council's business. 
"The advisory council shall coordinate all aspects of the high 
speed intercity rail passenger feasibility study relative to interstate 
connections and shall do all other things necessary and proper for 
the completion of the feasibility study. 
"ARTICLE IV—EFFECTIVE DATE 
"This compact shall become effective upon the adoption of the 
compact into law by two or more of the participating states. Thereaf-
ter, it shall enter into force and effect as to any other participating 
state upon the enactment thereof by such state. 
"This compact shall continue in force with respect to a participat-
ing state and remain binding upon such state until six months after 
such state has given notice to each other participating state of the 
repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall not be construed to relieve 
any participating state from any obligation incurred prior to the end 
of the state's participation in the compact as provided herein. 
"ARTICLE V—CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 
"This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the 
purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable 
and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is 
declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state 
or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any govern-
ment, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of 
the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any 
government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected 
thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of 
PUBLIC LAW 98-358—JULY 13, 1984 
98 STAT. 401 
any participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and 
effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the 
state affected as to all severable matters.". 
SEC. 2. The two members from each State on the advisory council 
created under article III of the compact shall be selected in accord-
ance with such State's enacting legislation. 
Approved July 13, 1984. 
?A 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4308: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-823 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
June 19, considered and passed House. 
June 28, considered and passed Senate. 
31-194 0 - 86 - 15 : QL. 3 Part 1