§ 19. Interstate high speed intercity rail passenger network compact.
The interstate high speed intercity rail passenger network compact is
hereby ratified, enacted into law and entered into with all other
jurisdictions legally joining therein in form substantially as follows:

INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED INTERCITY

RAIL PASSENGER NETWORK COMPACT

ARTICLE I

POLICY AND PURPOSE

Because the beneficial service of and profitability of a high speed
intercity rail passenger system would be enhanced by establishing such a
system which would operate across state lines, it is the policy of the
states party to this compact to cooperate and share jointly the
administrative and financial responsibilities of preparing a feasibility
study concerning the operation of such a system connecting major cities
in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West
Virginia and Kentucky.

ARTICLE II

COOPERATION

The states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania,
Illinois, West Virginia and Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as
participating states, agree to, upon adoption of this compact by the
respective states, jointly conduct and participate in a high speed
intercity rail passenger feasibility study by providing such information
and data as is available and may be requested by a participating state
or any consulting firms representing a participating state or the
compact. It is mutually understood by the participating states that such
information shall not include matters not of public record or of a
nature considered to be privileged and confidential unless the state
providing such information agrees to waive the confidentiality.

The participating states further agree to: 1. make available to each
other and to any consulting firm representing the member states or the
compact such assistance as may be legal, proper and available, including
but not limited to personnel, equipment, office space, machinery,
computers, engineering and technical advice and services; and

2. provide such financial assistance for the implementation of the
feasibility study as may be legal, proper and available.

ARTICLE III

INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER ADVISORY COUNCIL

There is hereby created an interstate rail passenger advisory council,
the membership of which shall consist of two representatives from each
participating state, one representative from each state shall hold a
bachelor of science degree in either engineering or transportation
science, and shall be appointed by the governor of the participating
state and the other shall be the chairman of the state's railroad
authority, but in the event said state does not have a railroad
authority, the second member shall be the director of the participating
state's transportation agency. The members shall select designees who
shall serve in the absence of the members. The advisory council shall
meet within thirty days after ratification of this agreement by at least
two participating states and establish rules for the conduct of the
advisory council's business.

The advisory council shall coordinate all aspects of the highspeed
intercity rail passenger feasibility study relative to interstate
connections and shall do all other things necessary and proper for the
completion of the feasibility study.

ARTICLE IV

EFFECTIVE DATE

This compact shall become effective upon the adoption of the compact
into law by two or more of the participating states. Thereafter, it
shall enter into force and effect as to any other participating state
upon the enactment thereof by such state. This compact shall continue
in force with respect to a participating state and remain binding upon
such state until six months after such state has given notice to each
other participating state of the repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall
not be construed to relieve any participating state from any obligation
incurred prior to the end of the state's participation in the compact as
provided herein.

ARTICLE V

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the
purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and
if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is
declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state
or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government,
agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the
remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any
government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected
thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of
any participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and
effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the
state affected as to all severable matters.