An Act To
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0724
Committee Amendment CA_A_S42 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004, 23 MRSA §75

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 241, L.D. 724, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend the Laws Governing the State's Rail Authority" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Establish the Passenger Rail Advisory Council' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 1 and 2 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-1, sub-§82-B is enacted to read: 
82-B. 
Transp01iation: 
Passenger Rail 
Passenger Rail 
Advisory Council 
Not Authorized 
Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §75 is enacted to read: 
§75. Passenger Rail Advisory Council 
MRSA §75 
1. Advisory council established. The Passenger Rail Advisory Council, referred to 
in this section as "the advis01y council," is established in accordance with Title 5, section 
12004-I, subsection 82-B to provide a public forum for input on passenger rail planning 
and provide the public with updates on the operational, capital and financial structure of 
passenger rail operations in the State. 
2. Membership. The advisory council consists of the following members: 
A. Two members of the Senate, one of whom is a member of the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transp01iation matters, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
B. Two members of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a member of the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transp01iation 
matters, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
Page I - 128LR0967(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S.P. 241, L.D. 724 
C. 
Four members representing regional planning agencies, appointed by the 
Commissioner ofTranspotiation; 
D. 
Three members representing railroad indust1y interests, appointed by the 
Commissioner ofTransp01iation; and 
E. 
One member representing passenger rail operators, appointed by the 
Commissioner of Transportation. 
The executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority or the 
executive director's designee and the following commissioners serve as ex officio 
members: 
the Commissioner of Transp01iation or the commissioner's designee; the 
IO 
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's 
designee; and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forest1y or the 
commissioner's designee. 
3. Meetings; chair. The advisory council may meet up to 4 times a year. The 
Commissioner of Transportation shall serve as chair of the advis01y council and shall call 
the first meeting of the advis01y council. 
4. Staff. The Commissioner of Transpotiation shall provide staff and resources to 
the advisory council within the depmiment's existing resources.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment places the Passenger Rail Adviso1y Council, established in the bill, 
in a different section of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23; provides more detail about 
membership, staff and number of meetings; and removes freight rail operations from the 
council's oversight. 
Unlike the bill, the amendment requires no changes in the annual rep01iing by the 
N01ihern New England Passenger Rail Authority to the Legislative Council or to the 
Commissioner of Transportation. 
FISCAt, XOTF. PFQUIRED 
lSt:1.: aW.tcl.H:!d) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 04/20/17 feac.. 
LD724 
LR967(02) 
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the State's Rail Authority 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A" 
Committee: Transportation 
\ 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
( S - 4 z_ / 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Highway Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Transp01iation, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and 
the Department of Economic and Community Development associated with serving on the council can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0967(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of 1