(a) There is established in the State Treasury a revolving fund to be designated as the Railroad Revitalization Fund. Monies, including interest earnings, in this fund shall be expended either separately or in combination with any available federal funds for railroad research, railroad planning, and railroad administration costs incurred by ADECA directly attributable to railroad revitalization projects; assistance to railroads for the rehabilitation or improvement of rail lines; and construction, improvement, or rehabilitation of railroad facilities.
(b) ADECA with the assistance of the commission, in conjunction with the railroads operating in the State of Alabama, shall develop the State Rail Plan, which shall be a comprehensive plan that coordinates all aspects of the improvements to rail infrastructure within the state and includes distinct freight and passenger components, as described in subdivisions (3) and (4) of Section 37-11B-3. During fiscal years 2010 and 2011, a total cumulative sum not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) of the Railroad Revitalization Fund shall be used specifically for the purpose of initially developing the State Rail Plan. After the initial development of the State Rail Plan, the plan shall be updated periodically, not less than every three years.
(c) Except as may be otherwise provided in Sections 37-11B-1 to 37-11B-5, inclusive, funds appropriated or otherwise provided by the Legislature for rail line assistance as described in subsections (a) and (b) shall be deposited in the Railroad Revitalization Fund. Any monies received by ADECA by agreements, grants, gifts, or other means from individuals, companies, or other business entities, municipalities, counties, local railroad authorities, or regional railroad authorities or other governmental agencies for the purposes set forth in this chapter, except federal grants made under Section 5 of the Department of Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. §1654, shall be credited to the Railroad Revitalization Fund. Any interest received from investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund and shall not be deposited into the State General Fund. Use of this fund for the required periodic updates to the State Rail Plan and for railroad research, planning, and administration costs incurred by ADECA that are directly attributable to railroad revitalization projects shall be paid from any available funds of ADECA.
Last modified: May 3, 2021