Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Conduct an Economic Feasibility Study for Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area

Sec. 1. Economic feasibility study. Resolved: That, if the Department of Transportation receives funding in accordance with section 2, the department shall conduct an economic feasibility study for commuter and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. The study must include an economic evaluation of commuter and passenger train service along the corridor route and any analysis necessary to secure potential funding sources identified in the Lewiston-Auburn Passenger Rail Service Plan report published May 2019. The department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by February 1, 2021. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters may submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature based on the findings provided in the department's report.

Sec. 2. Funding. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall accept funding contributions to fully fund the costs of the study under section 1. The total cost of the study must be determined by the department. One third of the costs of the study must come from the Multimodal Transportation Fund established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 4210-B and 2/3 of the costs must be provided by municipalities that would be directly impacted by commuter and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area and private entities interested in commuter and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. No funds may be collected by or transferred to the department for the purpose of conducting the study unless the department receives commitments from the municipalities and private entities sufficient to fund 2/3 of the costs of the study. Once the municipalities and private entities have committed to providing the required funding for the study, the department shall accept the funds and may transfer funds equaling 1/3 of the costs of the study from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to cover the costs of the study. By August 1, 2020, if the municipalities and private entities have not committed to providing the required funding for the study, the department is not authorized to accept any funds or conduct the study and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed for the study.

Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Multimodal - Passenger Rail Z139

Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation for an economic feasibility study for commuter and passenger train service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn area. Two thirds of the cost of the study must be provided by municipalities that would be directly impacted by and private entities interested in the train service with the remaining 1/3 provided by existing funding within this account.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2019-20	2020-21
All Other	$0	$250,000
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$250,000