A HOUSE RESOLUTION supporting enactment of the passenger rail investment and improvement act of 2007 (senate bill 294) and other PUBLIC PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE CONSIDERED BY the congress of the united states.
Whereas, Senators Lott, Lautenberg, Burr, and others have introduced Senate Bill 294, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007, in the Congress of the United States; 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, and provide remedies for chronic service delays; and
Whereas, the Congress will consider programs of tax credits that promote investments in rail infrastructure to improve network capacity and reliability; and
Whereas, the North Carolina House Interim Committee on Expanding Rail Service has reported to the North Carolina General Assembly that expansion of rail freight and passenger services can help promote economic development and mobility for our citizens; that improved freight and intermodal services can help integrate North Carolina into the global economy; that the General Assembly should consider mechanisms to join with local governments, the federal government, and the private sector to provide funding for improved freight, intermodal, and passenger services; and
Whereas, Amtrak's national passenger rail system currently serves 16 cities and towns in North Carolina with six daily trains, two in partnership with North Carolina, providing safe, efficient, and affordable intercity mobility for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians annually; and
Whereas, North Carolina and its cities and towns have partnered for two decades with Amtrak to provide its citizens with higher levels of service and continues to do so; 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, 16 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 improved intercity and high‑speed rail services 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 Research Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte Metropolitan areas are all developing plans for Regional Rail Transit Systems; and
Whereas, Charlotte‑Mecklenburg has created a Metropolitan Transit Commission and is currently utilizing local, State, federal, and private financing to construct a multimodal five corridor rapid transit system and a new multimodal Charlotte Gateway Station providing access to intercity and regional rail and bus services; 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 has over 3,500 miles of railroad and is served by two Class I and 24 short‑line railroads; and
Whereas, the capacity of the rail network serving North Carolina is strained which impacts our consumers, producers, shippers, communities, and citizens; and
Whereas, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in its Freight Rail Bottom Line Report recommended the Congress enact an enhanced program of investment in the rail network; and
Whereas, North Carolina requires a predictable program of federal funding to help implement these improvements to the rail freight and passenger network; and
Whereas, the Congress, through enactment of PL 109‑59, SAFTEA‑A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA‑LU) authorized a new title defining multiple programs that promote public and private investment in rail infrastructure; and
Whereas, the Congress did not appropriate funds for these programs although they would benefit numerous communities across North Carolina as well as corporate and private citizens alike; 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 urges Congress to enact the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 294).
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives endorses Public Law 109‑59 (SAFETEA‑LU) and urges Congress to appropriate funds to implement the rail infrastructure investment programs authorized thereunder.
SECTION 3.  The House of Representatives supports federal‑state and public-private investment in rail infrastructure and encourages Congress to enact such legislation.
SECTION 4.  The House of Representatives encourages the North Carolina delegation to the United States Congress to cosponsor this program of legislation and work industriously for its enactment.
SECTION 5.  The House of Representatives encourages the railroad industry to work cooperatively with State and local officials to achieve these public policy objectives.
SECTION 6.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.