North Carolina § 136-44 - 35. Railroad revitalization and corridor preservation a public purpose.

§ 136-44. 35. Railroad revitalization and corridor preservation a public purpose.

The General Assembly hereby finds that programs for railroad revitalization which assure the maintenance of safe, adequate, and efficient rail transportation services and that programs for railway corridor preservation which assure the availability of such corridors in the future are vital to the continued growth and prosperity of the State and serve the public purpose. History (1979, c. 658, s. 1; 1989, c. 600, s. 1.) Editor's Note. - This section was enacted by Session Laws 1979, c. 658, s. 1. Former G.S. 136-44.35, which was derived from Session Laws 1977, c. 584, was rewritten and renumbered as G.S. 136-44.36 by Session Laws 1979, c. 658, ss. 1, 2. The preamble to Session Laws 2005-222, provides: "Whereas, expanding and upgrading passenger, freight, commuter, and short line rail service is important to the economy of North Carolina; and "Whereas, the citizens of this State have stated their support for expanded passenger rail service through resolutions from over 100 cities, towns, and organizations submitted to the House Interim Committee on Expanding Rail Service in the fall of 2004; and "Whereas, Congress is debating reauthorization of the federal Surface Transportation Program; and "Whereas, Congress is considering new and innovative means of financing construction of transportation infrastructure, including highways, transit, intermodal, and rail projects; and "Whereas, Congress is debating reform of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, known as Amtrak, and the result may be more responsibilities for rail transferred to the states; and "Whereas, it is in the best interest of the State of North Carolina to respond in a timely way to these proposed changes as they impact our transportation programs and economic development opportunities; and "Whereas, many rail corridors in the State, such as the Wallace to Castle Hayne rail corridor, are in need of restoration and improvement; and "Whereas, many rail initiatives in the State, including service to western and southeastern North Carolina, are in need of federal and State investment; Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:" Section 2017-57, s. 34.24(a), (b), provides: "(a) In addition to any other requirements provided by State or federal law, the Rail Division of the Department of Transportation shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee prior to entering into a contract with a duration of five or more years and requiring an estimated expenditure of State funds in an amount totaling or exceeding one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000). The report shall (i) identify the total cost of the proposed contract, (ii) identify the duration of the proposed contract, (iii) identify the other party or parties to the proposed contract, and (iv) identify any other terms of the proposed contract that are deemed relevant by the Rail Division. "(b) This section is effective when it becomes law [June 28, 2017] and applies to contracts entered into on or after that date. This section expires June 30, 2022." Session Laws 2017-57, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as the 'Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2017.'" Session Laws 2017-57, s. 39.4, provides: "Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium." Session Laws 2017-57, s. 39.6, is a severability clause.