A HOUSE RESOLUTION supporting enactment of the passenger rail investment and improvement act of 2005 (senate bill 1516) in the congress of the united states.
Whereas, Senators Lott, Stevens, Lautenberg, Inouye, Hutchison, and Burns have introduced Senate Bill 1516, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2005 in the Congress of the United States; and
Whereas, the United States Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation have marked up the bill and endorsed its favorable consideration; and
Whereas, the legislation would reauthorize and reform Amtrak, provide for enhanced accountability, reduce operating subsidies by forty percent, make infrastructure investments which will improve both freight and passenger services, create a new capital program totaling $1.4 billion over six years for states to improve and start new conventional and high‑speed intercity passenger rail services, facilitate competitive service provisions, set standards for on‑time performance, provide remedies for chronic service delays; and
Whereas, the North Carolina House Interim Committee on Expanding Rail Service has reported to the North Carolina General Assembly that expansion of rail services can help promote economic development and mobility for our citizens; and
Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly, acting in concert with the Virginia General Assembly and pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 24101, has authorized creation of the Virginia‑North Carolina Interstate High Speed Rail Compact to develop high‑speed rail transportation in Virginia and North Carolina, advocate for development of a federal funding partner, and provide State funds to support this development; and
Whereas, 15 chambers of commerce in six states, including those serving Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston‑Salem, and Charlotte, have created the Southeastern Economic Alliance to promote development of high‑speed rail across the Southeastern United States; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has analyzed and recommended extension of passenger service to connect Western North Carolina via Salisbury to Asheville and Southeastern North Carolina via Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Goldsboro to Wilmington; and
Whereas, 27 cities, 30 towns and villages, 17 counties, 18 transportation planning organizations and councils of government, 17 chambers of commerce, and 10 other state and local organizations have endorsed a resolution supporting creation of a comprehensive passenger rail system to serve the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Secretary's Rail Advisory Committee, acting through the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, has asked the United States Secretary of Transportation to provide for stability in our nation's intercity passenger rail program and provide for a program of federal, state, and private investment in our freight and passenger railroad system; and
Whereas, North Carolina requires a predictable program of federal funding to help implement these improvements to the freight and passenger network; and
Whereas, North Carolina has heretofore invested State funds in excess of those required to match a program of federal funds; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives of the North Carolina General Assembly hereby endorses the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2005 (Senate Bill 1516) and memorializes and encourages the Congress of the United States to enact the legislation.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives of the North Carolina General Assembly encourages the North Carolina delegation to the United States Congress to cosponsor this legislation and work industriously for its enactment.
SECTION 3.   This resolution is effective upon adoption.