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High Speed Rail Study

SECTION 128.   (a) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall prepare and issue a plan for an intercity high-speed rail network that includes recommendations for the development and implementation of a high-speed rail system; provided, however, that the recommendations shall consider federal, state and local activities necessary to implement the plan.

(b) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation may, to the extent feasible, coordinate high-speed rail planning activities with the transportation departments of other New England states, in order to streamline plans, policies, priorities, possible funding mechanisms and timelines for the development of high-speed rail. The Department shall utilize and build upon, with the goal of improvement, any previously developed passenger or high-speed rail plans to meet the reporting deadline; provided, however, that the plan shall include preliminary recommendations for the implementation of the best design, construction, operation, and maintenance for an intercity high-speed rail system with connections to bordering states and Canadian provinces. The plan shall comply with federal guidelines, definitions and recommendations including those provided by the United States Department of Transportation's vision for high-speed rail in the United States; provided, however, that the plan shall include recommendations for integrating the high-speed rail system into existing and planned Amtrak expansions, airports and public transportation systems. The plan shall include recommendations for possible funding sources, including private capital, revenue bonds and a specific structure for public-private partnerships; provided, however, that the plan shall include specific recommendations including any necessary state or federal legislation or regulations required to implement the recommended high-speed rail system. The department shall provide its report to the governor, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation and publish the report on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website not later than May 2, 2011.

(c) After the May 2, 2011 reporting deadline, the department shall provide a supplemental report; provided, however, that the supplemental report shall include public and stakeholder input on recommendations related to the building, designing, maintaining, operating and financing of a high-speed intercity rail system with connections to bordering states and Canadian provinces; provided further, that the department shall to the extent possible, consult and coordinate with the transportation departments of other New England states and bordering Canadian provinces; provided, further, that the department shall hold at least 1 public hearing to receive testimony from global high-speed rail operators, including, but not limited to, Amtrak; provided, further, that the plan shall include the solicitation and receipt of formal expressions of interest and other testimony from global high-speed rail operators including, but not limited to, Amtrak; provided further, that representatives of New England states shall be invited and encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide testimony; and provided, further, that the supplemental report shall be filed with the governor, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation and published on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website on or before January 30, 2012.