2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973.
§ 143B-362. North Carolina Rail Council - creation; powers and duties.

§ 143B‑362.  North Carolina Rail Council – creation; powers and duties.

There is created the North Carolina Rail Council of the Department of Transportation.  The Rail Council shall:

(1)              Advise the Governor, Secretary of Transportation, Board of Transportation, and General Assembly on policy concerning the preservation and enhancement of the State's rail system, including the acquisition and management of existing rail corridors, revitalization and rehabilitation of active freight and passenger railways, improvements in rail safety, and promotion of competitive rail passenger services;

(2)        Designate a Strategic Rail System, with the North Carolina Railroad as its foundation, to be approved by the Board of Transportation;

(3)        Recommend to the Board of Transportation funding sources and levels to accomplish the purposes of this act;

(4)        Plan and recommend the distribution of financial assistance for the revitalization of railroads and conservation of rail corridors as authorized in G.S. 136‑44.36;

(5)        Plan and recommend the acquisition of rail corridors for future use as authorized in G.S. 136‑44.36A and oversee the protection and maintenance of preserved rail corridors;

(6)        Otherwise assist in the preservation of the rail system in North Carolina through branch line rehabilitation and revitalization and through corridor acquisition by the Department of Transportation, and encourage cooperation between the Department of Transportation and railroad companies in preserving the linear integrity of strategic corridors;

(7)        Advise the Department of Transportation on the reinvestment in the State's rail system of the annual dividends received by the State from its ownership of stock in the North Carolina Railroad and appropriated to the Department in G.S. 136‑16.6;

(8)        Promote and assist in the preservation of rail access to the facilities operated by the State Ports Authority and to passenger and cargo airport facilities; and

(9)        Perform any other duties relating to the promotion and preservation of railroads which the Secretary may recommend.

The Council shall report its activities to the General Assembly by March 1 in odd‑numbered years and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations by March 1 in even‑numbered years. (1993, c. 483, s. 1.)