HB 876 -- LIGHT RAIL; BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY; HIGHWAY
CORRIDORS

This bill requires the Division of Transportation to enforce
rules relating to the safe operation, maintenance, and use of
light rail and the construction of light rail-highway
crossings.  The division is also required to examine the manner
in which light rail property and services are safely conducted
and operated, and to examine compliance with all the provisions
of law regarding the safe operation of light rail.

The division will not be allowed to examine any individual or
joint rate, fare, toll, charge, compensation of any person, or
any schedule or tariff setting fares, rates for light rail,
hours of service, frequency, use and accommodations afforded
customers or products or commodities furnished in connection
with the operation of light rail.

The division may contract with the Bi-State Development Agency
for safety consultation pursuant to the division's duties.  Any
moneys received by the Division of Transportation for this
consultation will be deposited in the state treasury to the
credit of the Light Rail Safety Fund, which is created.  The
account will be administered by the Director of the Division of
Transportation.  Moneys in the fund will be used solely for the
purpose of paying the cost of performing duties required of the
division under this bill.  Moneys in the fund at the end of any
biennium will not be transferred to the credit of the General
Revenue Fund.

The commissioners of the Bi-State Development Agency may
participate in a committee or board meeting by means of
conference telephone or other communication equipment whereby
all persons attending the meeting, including the general public,
can hear and communicate when appropriate. Participation in a
committee or board meeting in this manner will constitute
presence in person at the meeting.  These committee or board
meetings will be considered public meetings and must be
reasonably accessible to the public.

In order to acquire property to preserve a corridor for future
highway construction, the Highways and Transportation Commission
will not be required to file detailed plans of the future
highway construction with the county clerk.

HB 876 -- LIGHT RAIL (Bray)

This bill requires the Division of Transportation to adopt and
enforce rules relating to the safe operation, maintenance, and
use of light rail and the construction of light rail highway
crossings.  The division is also required to examine the manner
in which light rail property and services are safely conducted
and operated, and examine compliance with all the provisions of
law regarding the safe operation of light rail.

The division will not be allowed to examine any individual or
joint rate, fare, toll, charge, compensation of any person, or
any schedule or tariff setting fares, rates for light rail,
hours of service, frequency, use and accommodations afforded
customers or products or commodities furnished in connection
with the operation of light rail.

The division, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, must
make an estimate of the amount attributable to the regulation of
light rail.  The division will assess to each light rail
operator an amount equal to one-quarter of one cent for each
operated train mile within this state.  The division will render
a statement of such assessment to each light rail operator by
July first and the operator must pay the assessment by July
15th.  These assessments are remitted to the State Treasurer and
credited to the railroad expense fund.  The portion of the
railroad expense fund received from light rail assessments will
be devoted solely to the payment of expenditures incurred by the
division and attributable to the regulation of light rail.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Effect on Railroad Expense Fund cost of $5,862
in FY 97, increase of $3,138 in FY 98 & FY 99.

HB 876 -- LIGHT RAIL

SPONSOR:  Bray

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill requires the Division of Transportation to adopt and
enforce rules relating to the safe operation, maintenance, and
use of light rail and the construction of light rail highway
crossings.  The division is also required to examine the manner
in which light rail property and services are safely conducted
and operated, and examine compliance with all the provisions of
law regarding the safe operation of light rail.

The division will not be allowed to examine any individual or
joint rate, fare, toll, charge, compensation of any person, or
any schedule or tariff setting fares, rates for light rail,
hours of service, frequency, use and accommodations afforded
customers or products or commodities furnished in connection
with the operation of light rail.

The division, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, must
make an estimate of the amount attributable to the regulation of
light rail.  The division will assess to each light rail
operator an amount equal to one-quarter of one cent for each
operated train mile within this state.  The division will render
a statement of such assessment to each light rail operator by
July first and the operator must pay the assessment by July
15th.  These assessments are remitted to the state Treasurer and
credited to the railroad expense fund.  The portion of the
railroad expense fund received from light rail assessments will
be devoted solely to the payment of expenditures incurred by the
division and attributable to the regulation of light rail.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Effect on Railroad Expense Fund cost of $5,862
in FY 97, increase of $3,138 in FY 98 & FY 99.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this legislation is necessary
because the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of
1991 mandated oversight of light rail systems in the area of
safety.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bray; The Division
of Transportation; and Bi-State Development Agency

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Research Analyst

HB 876 -- Light Rail

Sponsor:  Bray

This bill requires the Division of Transportation to adopt and
enforce rules relating to the safe operation, maintenance, and
use of light rail and the construction of light rail highway
crossings.  The division is also required to examine the manner
in which light rail property and services are safely conducted
and operated, and examine compliance with all the provisions of
law regarding the safe operation of light rail.

The division will not be allow to examine any individual or
joint rate, fare, toll, charge, compensation of any person, or
any schedule or tariff setting fares, rates for light rail,
hours of service, frequency, use and accommodations afforded
customers or products or commodities furnished in connection
with the operation of light rail.

The division, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, must
make an estimate of the amount attributable to the regulation of
light rail.  The division will assess to each light rail
operator an amount equal to one-quarter of one cent for each
operated train mile within this state.  The division will render
a statement of such assessment to each light rail operator by
July first and the operator must pay the assessment by July
15th.  These assessments are remitted to the state Treasurer and
credited to the railroad expense fund.  The portion of the
railroad expense fund received from light rail assessments will
be devoted solely to the payment of expenditures incurred by the
division and attributable to the regulation of light rail.