HB349 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Oliver Robinson

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

John W. RogersRod Scott

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Railroads, Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama Rapid Rail Transit Commission, name changed to Southern High-Speed Rail Commission, Sec. 37-11-1 am'd.

Summary

HB349 renames the interstate rail commission among Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama to the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission and establishes a compact to study and pursue interstate rapid rail service.

What This Bill Does

It changes the commission’s name and creates a joint interstate agency under a formal compact. It sets up membership from each state’s governor and designated transportation and energy offices, plus five citizen appointees per state, with four-year terms and expense reimbursement. It authorizes the commission to hold hearings, conduct studies, seek funds or property, cooperate with other groups, and develop plans to study or implement interstate rapid rail service, including presenting plans to Congress; it also outlines funding and withdrawal rules.

Who It Affects

• Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama state governments (governors, legislatures, and designated energy/transportation agencies) who will appoint members, provide funding, and oversee the commission.
• Residents and travelers in the three states who could benefit from future rapid rail service and who may be affected by hearings, studies, and planning related to such service.

Key Provisions

• Name change: the commission is renamed the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission (with the long form used in the text: Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama Rapid Southern High-Speed Rail Transit Commission).
• Establishment and composition: creates a joint interstate commission with membership including the governor of each state, one representative from each state’s energy/transportation board (or successor), the Louisiana Office of Aviation and Public Transportation, the Alabama Department of Energy (or successor), and five other citizens from each state appointed by the governor; terms are four years; vacancies filled by the governor; members’ expenses are reimbursed.
• Governance: the commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings and may have special meetings; they elect a chair and vice chair annually and rotate the chairmanship among the states.
• Powers and duties: the commission studies the feasibility of interstate rapid rail service, holds hearings, conducts studies and surveys, acquires funds or property as needed, cooperates with public/private groups, develops plans/policies, and reports findings (including to Congress).
• Funding: each party state’s legislature may provide funds for the commission; contributions should be equal if possible; there is no guaranteed fixed amount binding the legislatures.
• Withdrawal and continuation: the compact remains in force until a state withdraws; withdrawal takes effect six months after the action; notice of withdrawal is given to the other states.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and the governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Transportation