Pennsylvania Act 1980-75 — INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED RAIL PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT

Act text

INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED RAIL PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT
                  Act of Jun. 22, 1980, P.L. 259, No. 75              Cl. 74
                                  AN ACT

     Adopting the interstate high speed intercity rail passenger
        network compact and for related purposes.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  The interstate agreement on a high speed
     intercity rail passenger network is enacted into law and entered
     into by this Commonwealth as a party thereto with all
     jurisdictions legally joining therein, in the form substantially
     as follows:
                   INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED INTERCITY RAIL
                        PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT
        The party states solemnly agree:
                      ARTICLE I.  POLICY AND PURPOSE
        Because the beneficial service of and profitability of a high
     speed intercity rail passenger system would be enhanced by
     establishing such a system which would operate across state
     lines, it is the policy of the states party to this compact to
     cooperate and share jointly the responsibilities concerning the
     operation of such a system connecting major cities in Ohio,
     Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West Virginia and
     Kentucky.
                         ARTICLE II.  COOPERATION
        The states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania,
     Illinois, West Virginia and Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as
     participating states, agree to, upon adoption of this compact by
     the respective states, jointly participate in providing such
     information and data as is available and may be requested by a
     participating state or any consulting firms representing a
     participating state or the compact. It is mutually understood by
     the participating states that such information shall not include
     matters not of public record or of a nature considered to be
     privileged and confidential unless the state providing such
     information agrees to waive the confidentiality. The
     participating states further agree to make available to each
     other and to any consulting firm representing the member states
     or the compact such assistance as may be legal, proper and
     available, including but not limited to personnel, equipment,
     office space, machinery, computers, engineering and technical
     advice and services.
         ARTICLE III.  INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER ADVISORY COUNCIL
        There is hereby created an interstate rail passenger advisory
     council, the membership of which shall consist of two
     representatives from each participating state, one
     representative shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
     Representatives and the other shall be appointed by the
     President pro tempore of the Senate and there shall be an ex
     officio representative appointed by the Governor. The members of
     the advisory council shall serve at the pleasure of their
     appointing authority. The members shall select designees who
     shall serve in the absence of the members. The advisory council
     shall meet within thirty days after ratification of this
     agreement by at least two participating states and establish
     rules for the conduct of the advisory council's business.
        The advisory council shall coordinate all aspects of the high
     speed intercity rail passenger system relative to interstate
     connections and shall do all other things necessary and proper
     for the completion of the system.
                       ARTICLE IV.  EFFECTIVE DATE
        This compact shall become effective upon the adoption of the
     compact into law by two or more of the participating states.
     Thereafter, it shall enter into force and effect as to any other
     participating state upon the enactment thereof by such state.
        This compact shall continue in force with respect to a
     participating state and remain binding upon such state until six
     months after such state has given notice to each other
     participating state of the repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall
     not be construed to relieve any participating state from any
     obligation incurred prior to the end of the state's
     participation in the compact as provided herein.
                ARTICLE V.  CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
        This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate
     the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be
     severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of
     this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of
     any participating state or of the United States or the
     applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or
     circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of
     this compact and the applicability thereof to any government,
     agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If
     this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any
     participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and
     effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect
     as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
        Section 2.  The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall transmit
     a duly authenticated copy of this act and the compact contained
     herein to each jurisdiction now party to the compact and to each
     jurisdiction which subsequently shall become party to the
     compact.
        Section 3.  No moneys shall be committed without approval of
     the General Assembly.
        Section 4.  This act shall take effect immediately.