HB765: relative to consideration of a light rail commuter system and establishing a commission to oversee light rail progress.

HB 765-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0355

06/10

HOUSE BILL 765-FN

AN ACT relative to consideration of a light rail commuter system and establishing a commission to oversee light rail progress.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gleason, Rock 77; Rep. Holland, Rock 76; Rep. Introne, Rock 75; Rep. DiFruscia, Rock 76; Rep. Carson, Rock 75; Sen. Sapareto, Dist. 19; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

ANALYSIS

This bill directs the department of transportation to consider a commuter light rail system in conjunction with the project widening Interstate 93 from Manchester to the New Hampshire - Massachusetts border.

This bill also sets up a commission to monitor the Interstate 93 widening project and ensure that a light rail transportation system is considered and implemented whenever possible.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0355

06/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to consideration of a light rail commuter system and establishing a commission to oversee light rail progress.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Rail Development; Interstate 93 Corridor; Purpose. The general court finds that it is in the interests of the state of New Hampshire to optimize a multi-modal transportation system in the strategic and vital Interstate 93 corridor from Manchester to the boundary between the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

2 Rail Development; Interstate 93 Corridor; Department of Transportation to Consider. The department of transportation shall consider and give priority to the planning, engineering, and construction of a commuter light rail system, subject to the availability of federal funding, in conjunction with the expansion of Interstate 93 from Manchester to the boundary between the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts which is specified in the state 10-year transportation plan. The department shall explore public, private, and public-private partnership options for financing the rail component in the best and most expeditious manner.

3 Light Rail Oversight Progress Commission Established. There is established a commission to monitor the widening of Interstate 93 and to ensure that a light rail transportation system is considered and implemented whenever possible.

4 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, one from the public works and highways committee, one from the finance committee and one member who represents a town along the Interstate 93 corridor from the Massachusetts border to Manchester, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, one from the transportation committee, one from the finance committee, and one senator who represents a town along the Interstate 93 corridor from the Massachusetts border to Manchester, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The governor, or designee.

(d) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

(e) A municipal planning board member from a town along the Interstate 93 corridor from the Massachusetts border to Manchester, appointed by the governor.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

5 Duties. The commission shall monitor the progress of the Interstate 93 widening project, ensure that light rail transportation is considered and implemented whenever possible, and ensure that light rail transportation is a priority with the department of transportation.

6 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the legislative members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

7 Report. The commission shall make interim reports of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library every year until the conclusion of the Interstate 93 widening project.

8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBAO

03-0355

1/22/03

HB 765-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to consideration of a light rail commuter system and establishing a commission to oversee light rail progress.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Transportation indicates this bill will increase state expenditures by $400,000 in FY 2004. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or county and local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department states this bill establishes a Light Rail Oversight Progress Commission that will require consultant assistance to comply with requirements of this bill. The Department estimates that state expenditures will increase by $400,000 for this consultant based on the requirements of the bill and comparisons with other consultant agreements.