Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Apply for Funds for Rail Improvements
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0315
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: LIBBY, SHEATS, ROSEN, BROOKS, BRYANT, FULLER, GOLDEN, GRANT, HANDY, PARRY

Legislative Document
No. 315
S.P. 103
In Senate, January 31, 2017
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Apply for 
Funds for Rail Improvements
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator LIBBY of Androscoggin.
Cosponsored by Representative SHEATS of Auburn and
Senator: ROSEN of Hancock, Representatives: BROOKS of Lewiston, BRYANT of 
Windham, FULLER of Lewiston, GOLDEN of Lewiston, GRANT of Gardiner, HANDY of 
Lewiston, PARRY of Arundel.
Sec. 1.  Department of Transportation to seek federal funds.  Resolved:  
That the Department of Transportation, referred to in this resolve as "the department," 
shall pursue all federal funding that may be available to develop, improve and expand 
passenger rail service in the State, including: 
1.  Seeking grants provided by the United States Department of Transportation, 
Federal Railroad Administration, including: 
A.  Consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements grants under the federal 
Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94, Section 11301 
(2015); 
B.  Federal-state partnership for state of good repair grants under the federal Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94, Section 11302 (2015); 
and 
C.  Restoration and enhancement grants under the federal Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94, Section 11303 (2015); 
2.  Identifying the eligibility of possible passenger rail projects to receive grants 
provided by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Transit 
Administration under the fixed guideway capital investment grant program under 49 
United States Code, Section 5309 (2015); and 
3.  If the Federal Government amends or creates new grant programs for passenger 
rail, considering the eligibility of possible passenger rail projects under those amended or 
new grant programs; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Report on passenger rail development. Resolved:  That the 
department shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no 
later than December 1, 2017, describing the status of grants requested to that date 
pursuant to this resolve.  The report required by this section must include but is not 
limited to: 
1.  Details of applications submitted for each grant program; 
2.  The amount of state funding required as a match for federal funds received or 
under consideration; and 
3.  Recommendations for how the State could be a more competitive applicant for 
any relevant grant programs. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation to pursue various federal 
passenger rail grants and to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no 
later than December 1, 2017 on the details of the grant applications, the amount of state 
matching funds required and recommendations for how the State can be a more 
competitive applicant for federal passenger rail grants.