§37-11B-3. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) ADECA. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

(2) COMMISSION. The Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama Rapid Rail Transit Commission created by the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama Rapid Rail Transit Compact, Chapter 11 of this title, or its successor.

(3) FREIGHT COMPONENT OF THE STATE RAIL PLAN. The plan developed by ADECA with the assistance of the commission, in conjunction with the railroads operating in the state and in concert with the Passenger Component of the State Rail Plan, that promotes freight rail service within the state, including, but not limited to, service to and from water ports in the state and the articulation of the ongoing comprehensive vision and objectives associated with promoting freight rail service within the state.

(4) PASSENGER COMPONENT OF THE STATE RAIL PLAN. The plan developed by ADECA with the assistance of the commission with the railroads operating in the state and in concert with the Freight Component of the State Rail Plan that promotes passenger rail travel within the state in a manner that is compatible with opportunities for the state to obtain federal funding assistance that may be available for intercity passenger rail service or high-speed rail corridor service, or both, and that contains provisions that include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

a. Articulating the ongoing comprehensive vision and objectives associated with promoting passenger rail travel within the state.

b. Identifying all viable routes for passenger rail service.

c. Enhancing the existing passenger rail segments within the state and constructing additional segments.

d. Providing specific guidelines and recommendations to the providers of passenger rail service within the state for complying with federal requirements necessary for the state to qualify for any available federal funding.

e. Implementing any recommendations proposed under Section 37-11B-4.

(5) PROJECT. The construction, rehabilitation, improvement, or repair of rail line or track within the state, the acquisition and development of real property and improvements to the property associated with the project, the acquisition of easements and rights-of-way to real property as may be necessary to the project, and any other component associated with the project as approved by ADECA, especially those components that may enhance state opportunities for available federal funding assistance.

(6) STATE RAIL PLAN. The plan developed by ADECA with the assistance of the commission that coordinates all aspects of the rail infrastructure within the State of Alabama and that includes both freight and passenger components as those components are defined in this section.

(Act 2009-787, p. 2472, §3.)