Bill Summary for H 86 (2013-2014)

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Summary date: 

Apr 10 2013

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
House Bill 86 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 7, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO RESTORE THE RAILROAD FROM WALLACE TO CASTLE HAYNE, TO MAKE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RAILROAD FROM CASTLE HAYNE TO WILMINGTON, AND TO STUDY ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS TO MILITARY TRANSPORTATION.
Intro. by Hamilton, Shepard, R. Moore, Catlin.

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Bill summary

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Deletes specified appropriations from 1st edition and instead establishes that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will expend up to $2 million for assessing and applying for needed environmental permits to restore the abandoned state-owned rail line from Wallace to Castle Hayne.

Establishes that the DOT will seek and expend $63.2 million for an economic development project to improve rail access to the NC State Port at Wilmington, with the funds earmarked for the revitalization and restoration of the rail connection between Wallace, Castle Hayne, and the Port of Wilmington.

Requires the DOT to investigate all options for a source of this funding and to report on the options to fund these rail projects to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee (Committee) no later than November 1, 2013.

Deletes the requirement to have the Committee submit the findings to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly from the study on possible improvements to the transportation infrastructure to improve military transportation.

Provides that the dividends and one-time cash payments, as found in report number 1012-10 by the General Assembly's Program Evaluation Division, will be appropriated to the Rail Division of the DOT for the projects authorized above and for other rail freight enhancement activities in North Carolina. Directs the DOT to address the ongoing rail needs of all commercial traffic, including military and agriculture.

Directs the Department of Administration (Department) to maximize the non-rail assets of the NC Railroad and lease, sell, or develop the state's holdings to the maximum extent possible. Prevents the Department from liquidating surplus that will have any impact on existing trackage agreements of the NC Railroad.