Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Inifi~e a Service Development Plan for Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0571
Committee Amendment CA_A_H736 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" j} "to H.P. 415, L.D. 571, "Resolve, Directing the 
Department of Transportation To Inifi~e a Service Development Plan for Commuter and 
Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Conduct an Economic 
Feasibility Study for Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and 
the Lewiston and Auburn Area' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. Economic feasibility study. Resolved: That, if the Department of 
Transportation receives funding in accordance with section 2, the department shall 
conduct an economic feasibility study for commuter and passenger train service between 
Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. 
The study must include an economic 
evaluation of commuter and passenger train service along the corridor route and any 
analysis necessary to secure potential funding sources identified in the Lewiston-Auburn 
Passenger Rail Service Plan report published May 2019. The department shall submit a 
report of its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by February 1, 2021. The joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters may 
submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature based on the findings 
provided in the department's report. 
Sec. 2. Funding. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall accept 
funding contributions to fully fund the costs of the study under section 1. The total cost 
of the study must be determined by the department. One third of the costs of the study 
must come from the Multimodal Transportation Fund established in the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 23, section 4210-B and 2/3 of the costs must be provided by municipalities 
that would be directly impacted by commuter and passenger train service between 
Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area and private entities interested in commuter 
and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. No 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'n" to H,P, 415, L.D. 571 
funds may be collected by or transferred to the department for the purpose of conducting 
the study unless the department receives commitments from the municipalities and 
private entities sufficient to fund 2/3 of the costs of the study. Once the municipalities 
and private entities have committed to providing the required funding for the study, the 
department shall accept the funds and may transfer funds equaling 1/3 of the costs of the 
study from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to cover the costs of the study. By 
August 1, 2020, if the municipalities and private entities have not committed to providing 
the required funding for the study, the department is not authorized to accept any funds or 
conduct the study and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed for the 
study. 
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. 
Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Multimodal- Passenger Rail Z139 
Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation for an economic feasibility study for commuter 
and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. Two 
thirds of the cost of the study must be provided by municipalities that would be directly 
impacted by and private entities interested in the train service with the remaining 1/3 
provided by existing funding within this account. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
2019-20 
$0 
$0 
2020-21 
$250,000 
$250,000 
Amend the resolve by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve and does the following. 
1. It directs the Department of Transportation to conduct an economic feasibility 
study for commuter and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and 
Auburn area. 
2. It requires the department to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by February 1, 2021. 
3. It allows the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
transportation matters to submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 130th 
Legislature based on the findings provided in the department's report. 
4. It requires that 1/3 of the costs of the study must come from the Multimodal 
Transportation Fund under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 4210-B and 2/3 
of the costs must be provided by municipalities that would be directly impacted by the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/4 to H.P. 415, L.D. 571 
commuter and passenger train service and private entities interested in the commuter and 
passenger train service. 
5. It provides that no funds may be transferred to the department for the purpose of 
conducting the study unless the department receives commitments from the 
municipalities and private entities sufficient to fund 2/3 of the costs of the study. 
6. 
It provides that if municipalities and private entities have not committed to 
providing the required funding for the study by August 1, 2020, the department is not 
authorized to accept any funds or conduct the study. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/02/20 feac. 
LD571 
LR 1620(02) 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Initiate a Service Development Plan for 
Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment{),{//,. 7Jli) 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2019-20 
$0 
FY2020-21 
$250,000 
Projections 
FY 2021-22 
Projections 
FY2022-23 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal ])etail and Notes 
$0 
$0 
The bill includes a one-time allocation for an economic feasibility study for commuter and passenger train service 
between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. Two thirds of the cost of the study must be provided by 
municipalities and private entities that would be directly impacted by the train service with the remaining one third 
provided by existing funding within this account. Other Special Revenue Funds within the Department of 
Transportation will increase by approximately $166,000 if commitments and remittances of funds are received from 
municipalities and private entities. 
LR1620(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1