State transportation officials would not use state funds for new passenger rail projects

The Department of Transportation would not use state money to plan, build, operate, or manage passenger rail projects. The restriction covers passenger rail projects, including the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project identified by its state transportation plan project number. The restriction applies to state funds. It covers planning, construction, operation, and management. The restriction would apply when the act takes effect upon passage.

The department could use toll credits only for highway and road projects or projects involving motor-vehicle travel on those roads. Any other use of toll credits would require approval from the joint legislative capital budget overview committee before a project moves forward for inclusion in the state 10-year transportation program. Committee approval would be required for uses outside highway, road, and related motor-vehicle projects. The approval must come before the project moves forward for approval in the state 10-year transportation program. These rules would apply when the act takes effect upon passage.

The House clerk would notify the federal transportation department and the federal budget office about the law change. The notice would concern the changes made by this act. The notice would be sent after the act passes. The notification would occur upon passage of the act.