Bill Text: VA SJR63 | 2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 63 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: DRPT; study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in State.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ63ER) [SJR63 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2010-SJR63-Comm_Sub.html

10105526D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee on Rules on March 4, 2010) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Miller, Y.B.) Requesting the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth. Report.

WHEREAS, Virginia is in the process of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Washington and between Richmond and Hampton Roads to advance the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor; and

WHEREAS, with its investment in new intercity passenger rail operations between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia became the 15th state to invest in such operations in the Northeast Corridor; and

WHEREAS, high-speed and intercity passenger rail service provides an alternative to the use of highways for travelers, especially intercity business travelers; and

WHEREAS, by decreasing use of highways, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can reduce highway congestion and improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can also stimulate the economy by creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation be requested to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Department shall assess the most efficient and beneficial method by which such high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations should be funded.

Technical assistance shall be provided by the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.