*See chapter 277 for definitions and other provisions applicable to this chapter.
See Sec. 13b-4b re transfer of duties and responsibilities of Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to Commissioner of Transportation.
Cited. 26 CA 74.
Sec. 13b-200a. State rail plan.
Sec. 13b-200b. Planning for branch rail lines. Report.
Sec. 13b-201. (Formerly Sec. 16-52). Road not to be opened without certificate.
Sec. 13b-202. (Formerly Sec. 16-53). Recommendations.
Sec. 13b-203. (Formerly Sec. 16-54). When officers may be enjoined.
Sec. 13b-204. (Formerly Sec. 16-55). General duties as to railroads.
Sec. 13b-204a. Crossings at grade. Attendance by commissioner at public hearing.
Sec. 13b-205. (Formerly Sec. 16-56). Taking land in discontinued highways.
Sec. 13b-208. (Formerly Sec. 16-59). Record of conveyance or lease.
Sec. 13b-211. Scheduling and connecting information.
Sec. 13b-212. (Formerly Sec. 16-61). Regulating connections. Penalty.
Sec. 13b-212b. Connecticut Commuter Rail Council.
Sec. 13b-212c. Powers and duties.
Sec. 13b-212e. Automated renewal of monthly student passes.
Sec. 13b-213. (Formerly Sec. 16-62). Roads intersecting trunk line to have equal facilities.
Sec. 13b-214. (Formerly Sec. 16-63). Aggrieved company may apply to Commissioner of Transportation.
Sec. 13b-221. (Formerly Sec. 16-70). Deposit of snow or ice on state highways.
Sec. 13b-222. (Formerly Sec. 16-71). Payment of fare not to be evaded.
Sec. 13b-223. (Formerly Sec. 16-73). Recovery of forfeitures to state.
Sec. 13b-224. (Formerly Sec. 16-74). General penalty.
Sec. 13b-226. (Formerly Sec. 16-75a). Declaration of policy.
Sec. 13b-227. (Formerly Sec. 16-75b). Railroad preservation and improvement projects.
Sec. 13b-228. (Formerly Sec. 16-75c). Tax exemption projects.
Sec. 13b-229. (Formerly Sec. 16-75d). Modification of tax exemption projects.
Sec. 13b-230. (Formerly Sec. 16-75e). Inspection for compliance.
Sec. 13b-231. (Formerly Sec. 16-75f). Powers of Commissioner of Transportation.
Sec. 13b-232. (Formerly Sec. 16-75g). Certification of eligibility.
Sec. 13b-233. (Formerly Sec. 16-75h). Report of commissioner.
Sec. 13b-235. Enforcement of statutory provisions and orders of commissioner.
Sec. 13b-236. Bond issue for grants for commercial rail freight lines.
Sec. 13b-237. Procedure for disposal of surplus rail material.
Secs. 13b-238 to 13b-243. Reserved
Sec. 13b-199. Definitions. Terms used in this chapter, sections 16-216 to 16-227, inclusive, and chapters 244, 244a, 244b, 245a and 245b shall be construed as follows, unless another meaning is expressed or is clearly apparent from the language or context:
(1) “Railroad company” includes every person owning, leasing, maintaining, operating, managing or controlling any railroad, or any cars or other equipment employed thereon or in connection therewith, for public or general use within this state;
(2) “Street railway company” includes every person owning, leasing, maintaining, operating, managing or controlling any street railway, or any cars or other equipment employed thereon or in connection therewith, for public or general use within this state;
(3) “Public service motor vehicle” includes all motor vehicles used for the transportation of passengers for hire; and
(4) “Motor bus” includes any public service motor vehicle operated in whole or in part upon any street or highway, by indiscriminately receiving or discharging passengers, or operated on a regular route or over any portion thereof, or operated between fixed termini, and any public service motor vehicle operated over highways within this state between points outside this state or between points within this state and points outside this state.
(P.A. 14-134, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 14-134 effective June 6, 2014.
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Sec. 13b-200. (Formerly Sec. 16-51). Examination of roads. Free passage. Entering premises at times of emergency. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall, at the commissioner's discretion, examine the several railroads in the state when he deems that public safety so requires, and shall make a like examination of any railroad within the limits of any town, when so requested in writing by the selectmen of such town or by the authorities having control and supervision of the streets and highways within the town, and shall see that such railroads are kept in suitable repair and that the companies operating them faithfully comply with all provisions of law. The employees of the Department of Transportation shall have the right to pass free of charge, in the performance of their duties, on all railroads in the state.
(b) The commissioner or his employees may enter any building, car or other premises owned or controlled by any railroad company. Any person interfering with an employee of the Department of Transportation in the performance of his duties shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 5441; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 559, 571, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 14, 136; P.A. 81-435, S. 1; P.A. 90-271, S. 11, 24; P.A. 04-143, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, and “authority” for “commission” thereafter, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority” and “authority”, deleted “railways” and “street railways” where appearing and substituted “employees” for “members”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 deleted authorization for free passage of authority employees, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-51 transferred to Sec. 13b-200; P.A. 81-435 added Subsec. (b) authorizing employees of the department to enter railroad premises at times of emergency; P.A. 90-271 made a technical change; P.A. 04-143 amended Subsec. (a) to permit examination of railroads at commissioner's discretion, rather than once in each year or more often, and amended Subsec. (b) to permit commissioner or employees to enter any building, car or premises of railroad company at any time, rather than only at times of emergency, effective May 21, 2004.
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Sec. 13b-200a. State rail plan. (a) For purposes of this section, “state rail plan” or “proposed plan” means the plan prepared by the Department of Transportation pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 110-432, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
(b) Not later than sixty days prior to submission of the state rail plan as required by P.L. 110-432, the Department of Transportation shall submit such proposed plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and finance, revenue and bonding. Such submission shall also include information on the process followed in preparing such proposed plan, the persons and entities consulted, any recommendations received from regional agencies and municipalities, and the department's response to such recommendations.
(c) Not later than thirty days after said committees' receipt of such proposed plan, said committees shall convene a joint public hearing on such proposed plan. Not later than fourteen days after such public hearing, said committees shall advise the department of their suggested modifications, if any, to such proposed plan.
(Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-2, S. 65.)
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Sec. 13b-200b. Planning for branch rail lines. Report. The Department of Transportation shall continue planning efforts for improvements to the New Canaan, Norwalk, Danbury and Waterbury branch rail lines, including, but not limited to, upgrades and electrification of such rail lines. Not later than January 6, 2017, the department shall provide a report on the progress of such planning efforts to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, and shall provide updates thereafter, as requested by said committee.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 168.)
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Sec. 13b-201. (Formerly Sec. 16-52). Road not to be opened without certificate. No part of any railroad shall be opened for public travel unless the company operating such railroad first obtains a certificate signed by the Commissioner of Transportation that it is in a suitable and safe condition.
(1949 Rev., S. 5442; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-52 transferred to Sec. 13b-201.
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Sec. 13b-202. (Formerly Sec. 16-53). Recommendations. The Commissioner of Transportation shall, from time to time, recommend to the several companies operating railroads in this state, or to any of them, the adoption of such measures and regulations as the commissioner deems conducive to the public safety or interest; and shall report to the next General Assembly any neglect on the part of any such company to comply with any such recommendation.
(1949 Rev., S. 5443; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 85-246, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-53 transferred to Sec. 13b-202; P.A. 85-246 deleted reference to street railway companies.
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Sec. 13b-203. (Formerly Sec. 16-54). When officers may be enjoined. If, upon examination of any railroad or the affairs of any railroad company, the Commissioner of Transportation is of the opinion that such road is in such condition, or that the affairs of such company are so conducted, as to endanger public safety, or that the company has violated the law or refused to obey the directions of the commissioner or of the Superior Court or any judge thereof, he may, within one year after such examination, make application to any judge of said court for an injunction to restrain any person from exercising or attempting to exercise the duties of any officer in such company; and such judge may proceed thereon as the Superior Court may do on complaints for injunctions.
(1949 Rev., S. 5444; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 587, 610.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, and “authority” for “commission” thereafter, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority” and “commissioner” for “authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-54 transferred to Sec. 13b-203.
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Sec. 13b-204. (Formerly Sec. 16-55). General duties as to railroads. The Commissioner of Transportation may at any time, and on the complaint in writing of five of the stockholders or creditors of any railroad company assigning sufficient reason shall, examine the railroad of such company and all its appurtenances, engines and cars, and its bylaws and rules; and, in such examination, shall pass over the road at a rate not exceeding six miles an hour, shall stop at each culvert, bridge and piling and examine the same, and shall examine the rails and ties in each mile, after notifying the company in writing of the time of such examination. He shall notify the company to make all repairs required within a time limited; shall make such rules as to platforms and outbuildings at stations as are for the public interest; may prescribe the time during which any ticket office shall be open for the sale of tickets, and no company neglecting to comply with such order shall receive more than the regular ticket price for fare; shall make necessary orders for compelling companies to furnish comfortable seats for passengers and for regulating the manner in which companies shall manage their engines and cars at highway crossings; shall direct that suitable warning boards be put up at dangerous crossings; may require companies to maintain a gate across a highway at any crossing and to provide an agent to open or close the same; shall, when two roads meet or intersect, at the request of the directors of the company owning either, prescribe rules relative to the exchange of passengers and baggage; and may cause any portion of the statutes relating to railroads to be posted as they may direct.
(1949 Rev., S. 5445; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 90; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 587, 610.)
History: 1971 act deleted provision that printed copies of Sec. 53-100 be kept posted at all railroad stations; P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-55 transferred to Sec. 13b-204.
See Secs. 13b-344 and 13b-345 re respective duties of towns, railroad companies and Transportation Commissioner with respect to grade crossings.
Annotation to former section 16-55:
Cited. 122 C. 293.
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Sec. 13b-204a. Crossings at grade. Attendance by commissioner at public hearing. The Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner's designee, shall attend a public hearing concerning the safety and condition of a railroad crossing at grade, upon receipt by the commissioner of a petition that requests the commissioner to attend such hearing and is signed by twenty-five or more electors of the municipality in which such crossing is located.
(P.A. 11-256, S. 16.)
History: P.A. 11-256 effective July 13, 2011.
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Sec. 13b-205. (Formerly Sec. 16-56). Taking land in discontinued highways. When any highway, or portion thereof, in which are located tracks of any railroad is lawfully discontinued, the company owning or operating such railroad shall have the right, with the approval of the Commissioner of Transportation, to take land for its railroad within the limits of such highway or part thereof discontinued.
(1949 Rev., S. 5446; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 00-148, S. 39; P.A. 01-105, S. 11.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-56 transferred to Sec. 13b-205; (Revisor's note: P.A. 00-148 repealed Secs. 13b-247, 13b-255 to 13b-259, inclusive, 13b-266 and 13b-306 and, in so doing, specifically required the Revisors to delete references to said repealed sections in certain sections of the general statutes, including this section; the Revisors were unable to delete a reference to Sec. 13b-256 from this section without making unauthorized substantive changes to the statute); P.A. 01-105 made a technical change.
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Secs. 13b-206 and 13b-207. (Formerly Secs. 16-57 and 16-58). Contracts with connecting roads. Leases to be approved by stockholders. Sections 13b-206 and 13b-207 are repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 5447, 5448; P.A. 02-89, S. 90; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
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Sec. 13b-208. (Formerly Sec. 16-59). Record of conveyance or lease. All conveyances by any railroad company or its assigns of any interest in the location of its railroad, to be used or enjoyed for railroad purposes, may, and if in the nature of a lease for more than one year shall, be filed for record by the grantee or lessee in the office of the Secretary of the State. Certificates of the assignment, release or foreclosure of any interest or lien in or upon the location of any railroad, acquired under any such conveyance, as is specified in this section, or by virtue of the general laws of the state, may be filed for record in like manner and with like effect.
(1949 Rev., S. 5449.)
History: In 1981 Sec. 16-59 transferred to Sec. 13b-208.
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Secs. 13b-209 and 13b-210. (Formerly Secs. 16-59a and 16-60). Elimination of passenger train service. Mutual facilities. Sections 13b-209 and 13b-210 are repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 5450; 1959, P.A. 285; 1961, P.A. 88; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 209; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 560, 571, 610; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
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Sec. 13b-211. Scheduling and connecting information. Each railroad which receives a subsidy in any amount from the state of Connecticut and picks up or discharges passengers within the state of Connecticut shall provide complete scheduling and connecting information to each individual who requests information concerning passenger rail service. Such information shall provide an individual with the knowledge to enable such individual to travel by rail between any point in Connecticut served by a passenger-carrying railroad and any other point which is served by a passenger-carrying railroad.
(P.A. 79-291.)
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Sec. 13b-212. (Formerly Sec. 16-61). Regulating connections. Penalty. Section 13b-212 is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 5451; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 210; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 561, 571, 610; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
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Sec. 13b-212a. Commissioner to develop contingency plan for disruption of rail passenger service on New Haven line. Commissioner to designate motor bus service as part of contingency plan. Report. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall develop a contingency plan for any disruption of rail passenger service on the New Haven line including the New Canaan, Waterbury and Danbury branches due to a strike, equipment failure, malfunction of the Cos Cob generating plant or any other event that would require passengers to seek alternative transportation, and submit the plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation on or before January 15, 1986. The commissioner shall regularly review the contingency plan and shall regularly consult with town and municipal officials and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation concerning the contingency plan. The contingency plan shall include specific provisions concerning weekend rail service, service on the New Haven line and the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches, service for commuters traveling to New Haven in the morning and to New York in the evening and service to areas between New Haven and New York. The commissioner may revise the contingency plan whenever he or she deems it necessary.
(b) The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate one or more persons, associations or corporations engaged in the operation of motor bus services in accordance with the provisions of chapter 244 to provide transportation services to rail passengers during any disruption of rail service on the New Haven line, or any branch of such line. The commissioner shall specify the name and address of any such person, association or corporation in a revised contingency plan developed in accordance with the provisions of this section. The commissioner shall submit such plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation on or before January 15, 1987.
(P.A. 85-200; P.A. 86-74; P.A. 13-277, S. 71; 13-299, S. 13; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 112.)
History: P.A. 86-74 added Subsec. (b) requiring commissioner of transportation to designate motor bus services to provide transportation in case of disruption of rail service; P.A. 13-277 amended Subsec. (a) to restore reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-299 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, effective July 1, 2013; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2016.
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Sec. 13b-212b. Connecticut Commuter Rail Council. (a) There is established a Connecticut Commuter Rail Council which shall consist of fifteen members appointed with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, all of whom shall be (1) commuters who regularly use the transportation services of the New Haven commuter railroad line which includes the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches of such line, (2) commuters who regularly use the transportation services of the Shoreline East railroad line, or (3) residents of a municipality in which the Commissioner of Transportation has proposed a new rail line or in which a rail line has commenced operation after July 1, 2013. Members shall be appointed as follows: (A) The Governor shall appoint four members, one of whom shall be the chief elected official of a municipality located on an operating or proposed new rail line; (B) the president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint three members; (C) the speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members; (D) the minority leader of the Senate shall appoint one member; (E) the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member; (F) the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation shall each appoint one member, one of whom shall be from a municipality in which the Commissioner of Transportation has proposed a new rail line or in which a rail line has commenced operation after July 1, 2013, and one of whom shall be from a municipality in which a station for the Shoreline East railroad line is located; and (G) the ranking members of said committee shall jointly appoint one member who shall be from a municipality served by the Danbury or Waterbury branches of the New Haven commuter railroad line. Each member shall serve for a term of four years. All initial appointments to the council shall be made by August 1, 2013, and initial members shall serve a four-year term commencing on August 1, 2013. Any vacancy shall be filled by the original appointing authority by appointment for the unexpired portion of any term. Members of the council shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and approved by the General Assembly.
(b) The members of the council shall choose one of the members of the council to be chairperson of the council. A majority of the members of the council then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, and action shall be by vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting. The council shall meet at least once during each calendar quarter and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary or upon the request of a majority of the members in office. Special meetings shall be held at the request of such majority after notice in accordance with the provisions of section 1-225. Any member who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year or who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from office.
(P.A. 85-329, S. 1, 3; P.A. 89-87, S. 4, 5; P.A. 92-96; P.A. 13-299, S. 14; P.A. 15-18, S. 10.)
History: P.A. 89-87 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for the filling of vacancies by the original appointing authority by appointment, rather than by the governor, with the advice and consent of the general assembly, by appointment; P.A. 92-96 amended Subsec. (a) to add one member representing the Shoreline East railroad line to the council; P.A. 13-299 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “Metro North New Haven Rail Commuter Council” with “Connecticut Commuter Rail Council”, to add Subdiv. (3) re residents of a municipality where a new rail line is proposed or operating, to add Subpara. (A) to (G) designators and, in Subpara. (A), to add provision re chief elected official as member, to add criteria re members appointed by transportation committee chairpersons and ranking members, and to provide that initial appointments and terms commence August 1, 2013, and made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-18 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to appointment with advice and consent of the General Assembly, add provision re initial members' 4-year term to commence on August 1, 2013, and make a conforming change, effective June 5, 2015.
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Sec. 13b-212c. Powers and duties. The Connecticut Commuter Rail Council shall study and investigate all aspects of the daily operation of commuter rail lines in the state, monitor their performance and recommend changes to improve the efficiency and the quality of service of the operation of such lines. The council may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as it requests and will enable it to properly carry out its activities for the purposes set forth in this section. The council shall also work with the Department of Transportation to advocate for customers of all commuter lines in the state and shall make recommendations for improvements to such lines. The council shall report its findings and recommendations annually on or before January fifteenth, to the Governor, the Commissioner of Transportation, the General Assembly, the Metro North Rail Commuter Council located in New York and the management advisory board of the office of the inspector general of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority located in New York.
(P.A. 85-329, S. 2, 3; P.A. 13-277, S. 72; 13-299, S. 15; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 113.)
History: P.A. 13-277 restored reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-299 replaced “Metro North New Haven Rail Commuter Council” with “Connecticut Commuter Rail Council”, required council to study all commuter rail lines in state, rather than the New Haven commuter railroad line, made technical changes, added requirement for council to work with Department of Transportation and make recommendations, and deleted reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, effective July 1, 2013; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 deleted reference to Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, effective July 1, 2016.
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Sec. 13b-212d. Agreement re voting representation for state on Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Commuter Railroad. Reporting requirements. (a) The Governor may enter into an agreement with the state of New York that provides voting representation for the state of Connecticut on the boards of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Metro-North Commuter Railroad and their respective successors, if any.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2005, the Commissioner of Transportation shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning (1) the status of the state's efforts to obtain voting representation on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the board of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad and their successors, if any, (2) the status of the recommendations made in the report on the Metro-North operating agreement mandated by section 13b-38g and section 2 of public act 00-129*, and (3) any other actions with respect to the operating agreement which the commissioner believes are necessary, proper and appropriate to (A) improve commuter rail service on the Metro North-New Haven Line, and (B) protect the financial interests of the state.
(June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 12.)
*Note: Section 2 of public act 00-129 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.
History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 effective August 20, 2003.
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Sec. 13b-212e. Automated renewal of monthly student passes. On or before December 1, 2012, the Department of Transportation shall, in consultation with Metro North Railroad, provide automated renewal of monthly student passes.
(P.A. 12-132, S. 50.)
History: P.A. 12-132 effective June 15, 2012.
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Sec. 13b-213. (Formerly Sec. 16-62). Roads intersecting trunk line to have equal facilities. When the trunk line of any railroad company, at or near the same place, connects with or is intersected by two or more other railroads, which are competing lines for the business to or from such trunk line, the company operating such trunk line shall afford equal facilities, including price and rates, to each of such competing roads, in the interchange of cars, the transportation of freight, the furnishing of tickets to passengers and the checking of baggage.
(1949 Rev., S. 5452.)
History: In 1981 Sec. 16-62 transferred to Sec. 13b-213.
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Sec. 13b-214. (Formerly Sec. 16-63). Aggrieved company may apply to Commissioner of Transportation. If any such competing company at any time deems itself aggrieved in reference to such facilities, it may complain to the Commissioner of Transportation, who, after notice and hearing, shall prescribe such regulations as, in his judgment, will secure reasonable facilities for the accommodation of the business of each of such connecting railroads, and fix the terms on which such facilities shall be afforded by or to each of such companies; and the Superior Court may compel the observance thereof, by attachment, mandamus or otherwise, and the expenses of the proceedings shall be paid by the parties as the court determines.
(1949 Rev., S. 5453; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-63 transferred to Sec. 13b-214.
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Secs. 13b-215 to 13b-220. (Formerly Secs. 16-64 to 16-69). Order as to connections; penalty. Facilities for connecting roads; penalty. Through routes or transportation. Condemnation of corporate stock. Stockholder may begin proceedings. Freight charges; penalty. Sections 13b-215 to 13b-220, inclusive, are repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 5454–5459; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 211; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 562, 571, 587, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 85-246, S. 7; P.A. 96-180, S. 34, 166; P.A. 00-148, S. 39; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
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Sec. 13b-221. (Formerly Sec. 16-70). Deposit of snow or ice on state highways. No public service company having a track in, over, above, under, parallel to or adjacent to any state highway shall, in the removal of snow or ice from so much of the right-of-way of any such company as is occupied by tracks, deposit upon the paved, metal or hardened section of such highway, or within twelve feet thereof, any snow or ice without the written permission of the Commissioner of Transportation, which permission shall state the manner in which such snow or ice shall be removed and may be revoked by the Commissioner of Transportation upon fifteen days' written notice. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars and shall reimburse the state for any expense incurred in the removal of such snow or ice from any such highway, plus fifteen per cent of such expense.
(1949 Rev., S. 5460; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 212.)
History: 1969 act substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “highway commissioner”; in 1981 Sec. 16-70 transferred to Sec. 13b-221.
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Sec. 13b-222. (Formerly Sec. 16-71). Payment of fare not to be evaded. No person shall fraudulently evade or attempt to evade the payment of any fare lawfully established by a railroad company. No person who does not, upon demand, pay such fare, shall be entitled to be transported over any railroad; but conductors or employees of railroad companies shall not put a passenger off a train between stations.
(1949 Rev., S. 5461.)
History: In 1981 Sec. 16-71 transferred to Sec. 13b-222.
Annotations to former section 16-71:
Company upheld in removing passenger for refusing to pay amount greater than cost of ticket, though ticket could not be obtained. 24 C. 249. Conductor may remove passenger who refuses to pay. 28 C. 89. Passenger is entitled to reasonable time to find misplaced ticket. 38 C. 559.
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Sec. 13b-223. (Formerly Sec. 16-73). Recovery of forfeitures to state. All forfeitures, not otherwise provided for, accruing to the state from any railroad company by reason of its neglect or refusal to comply with the orders of the Commissioner of Transportation, shall be recovered by the State Treasurer in an action upon the respective statutes providing for such forfeitures.
(1949 Rev., S. 5463; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-73 transferred to Sec. 13b-223.
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Sec. 13b-224. (Formerly Sec. 16-74). General penalty. Section 13b-224 is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 5464; P.A. 02-89, S. 90.)
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Sec. 13b-225. (Formerly Sec. 16-75). Record of acquisition, consolidation or merger of railroad or railway companies. Whenever any railroad or railway company, pursuant to any authority contained in its charter, has acquired any of the franchises of any other corporation or consolidated or merged with or in any other corporation, such railroad or railway company shall, upon consummation of such acquisition, consolidation or merger, file with the Secretary of the State a certificate, signed and sworn to by its president or its secretary, setting forth the fact of such acquisition, consolidation or merger and, in case of consolidation or merger, the name of the consolidated or merged corporation.
(1949 Rev., S. 5435.)
History: In 1981 Sec. 16-75 transferred to Sec. 13b-225.
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Sec. 13b-226. (Formerly Sec. 16-75a). Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared that the improvement of railroads transporting freight or passengers within this state or between this state and other states is a public purpose in furtherance whereof the tax exemptions provided in sections 12-251 and 13b-226 to 13b-233, inclusive, may properly be granted, such exemptions to continue, however, only as long as they result in the preservation of service, or the increase thereof over present levels, or the rehabilitation and improvement of the plant and equipment used by railroad companies providing freight or passenger transportation service within this state or between this state and other states.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 1; P.A. 78-291, S. 3, 16; P.A. 85-518, S. 2; P.A. 06-196, S. 197.)
History: P.A. 78-291 referred to transportation of freight “or” passengers rather than to transportation of freight “and” passengers; in 1981 Sec. 16-75a transferred to Sec. 13b-226; P.A. 85-518 made technical changes; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change, effective June 7, 2006.
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Sec. 13b-227. (Formerly Sec. 16-75b). Railroad preservation and improvement projects. (a) On or before November first of each year, railroads transporting freight or passengers within this state or between this state and other states and seeking the tax exemption provided in sections 12-251 and 13b-226 to 13b-233, inclusive, shall submit to the commissioner proposed railroad preservation and improvement projects, undertaken for the purpose of gross receipts tax exemption and hereinafter referred to as tax exemption projects. The commissioner shall review such proposed projects and may make any modifications thereto as he deems necessary, in the public interest, provided such projects and any modifications thereto shall be issued by the commissioner as final tax exemption projects not later than December thirty-first of each year. The commissioner shall give prompt notice in writing to each such railroad of any modifications of such proposed tax exemption projects prepared for it and, prior to the issuance of final tax exemption projects, shall give such railroad reasonable opportunity to present comments and documentary material relating thereto. Such projects shall be effective during the succeeding calendar year except as they may be modified by each such railroad upon the approval of the commissioner.
(b) In establishing tax exemption projects, the commissioner shall take into consideration: (1) The existing and prospective financial ability of the railroad, on the basis of its past and estimated future net income from freight, passenger and other sources, to comply with such projects; (2) the tax exemption projects, if any, established for such railroad by any other state or states, or any agency or political subdivision thereof; (3) the plan or plans, if any, recommended for such railroad by any committee or other group of public officers designated for such purpose by this state and by one or more other states; and (4) the reports and recommendations, if any, proposed by the United States, any state, any agency or commission of either, or by him, relating to such railroad.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 3, 5; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 213; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 587, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 4, 5, 16; P.A. 85-518, S. 3.)
History: 1969 act included in Subsec. (b)(4) the Connecticut commissioner of transportation; P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “public utilities commission” and “authority” for “commission”, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for reference to the public utilities control authority, and “commissioner” for “authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 provided in Subsec. (a) for the issuance of standards by the authority in consultation with the commissioner of transportation on an interim basis until January, 1979, at which time it further provided for substitution of the commissioner of transportation for the public utilities control authority, effective January 1, 1979, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1978, and each calendar year thereafter; in 1981 Sec. 16-75b transferred to Sec. 13b-227; P.A. 85-518 provided that railroads seeking tax exemption submit railroad preservation and improvement projects to the commissioner, rather than standards of service for the provision of passenger or freight transportation.
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Sec. 13b-228. (Formerly Sec. 16-75c). Tax exemption projects. To effectuate the policy of the state declared in section 13b-226, such tax exemption projects shall specify for each such railroad those measures which the Commissioner of Transportation deems necessary in the public interest for the railroad to carry out during the calendar year following the date of issuance. Subject to the requirements of any applicable law or order of any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over such railroad, such tax exemption projects shall include one or more of the following:
(a) Railroad track or railroad facility improvement projects in this state. Allowable costs shall include design, inspection and construction of projects including, but not limited to, the maintenance, rehabilitation or construction of tracks, bridges, stations, or platforms or the acquisition or rehabilitation of equipment used exclusively in this state.
(b) Light density freight line service preservation, in this state, where the revenue and variable cost of such lines create the potential for abandonment. Such preservation means the railroads' assumption of the deficit cost of the operation of such a line and shall be defined as one hundred ten per cent of the variable cost to provide service, minus the revenues generated by such a line.
(c) Intercity rail passenger service expansion in this state. Such expansion means Amtrak's assumption of the operating deficit directly attributable to the passenger train service which is additional to the service defined in the Amtrak schedule dated October 28, 1984.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 4; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 6, 7, 16; P.A. 85-518, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “public utilities commission”, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 provided for the measures to be taken as mandatory and included contribution to the state by the railroad of the nonfederal share or any part thereof in any rail service program sponsored by the state, on an interim basis under the authority until January 1, 1979, and thereafter under the cognizance of the commissioner of transportation, effective January 1, 1979, and applicable to tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1978, and each calendar year thereafter; in 1981 Sec. 16-75c transferred to Sec. 13b-228; P.A. 85-518 changed standards of service to tax exemption projects, deleted Subdivs. (a) to (f), inclusive, defining standards of service and added new Subdivs. (a) to (c), inclusive, defining tax exemption projects.
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Sec. 13b-229. (Formerly Sec. 16-75d). Modification of tax exemption projects. From time to time during the calendar year following the issuance of final tax exemption projects the Commissioner of Transportation may modify such projects to reflect any material changes in data previously considered under subsection (b) of section 13b-227, after notice and hearing as provided by subsection (a) of section 13b-227.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 6; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 8, 9, 16; P.A. 85-518, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 deleted provision concerning consultation with supervisory authorities of other states (Sec. 13b-227) and provided for consultation by the authority with the commissioner of transportation on modification of final standards on an interim basis until January 1, 1979, after which the modification comes under the cognizance of the commissioner of transportation, effective January 1, 1979, and applicable to tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1978, and each calendar year thereafter; in 1981 Sec. 16-75d transferred to Sec. 13b-229; P.A. 85-518 replaced standards of service with tax exemption projects.
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Sec. 13b-230. (Formerly Sec. 16-75e). Inspection for compliance. The Commissioner of Transportation shall make periodic inspections to determine the degree of compliance with tax exemption projects issued in accordance with sections 13b-226 to 13b-233, inclusive, and shall report his findings annually on or before October first to the Governor and the chairmen of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and to state finance, revenue and bonding.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 7; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 10, 11, 16; P.A. 82-314, S. 31, 63; P.A. 85-518, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for public utilities “commission”, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 provided for the authority to report its findings to the chairmen of the joint standing committees on transportation and finance, as well as to the governor, on an interim basis until January 1, 1979, at which time the commissioner of transportation assumes responsibility for the report, effective January 1, 1979, and applicable to tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1978, and each calendar year thereafter; in 1981 Sec. 16-75e transferred Sec. 13b-230; P.A. 82-314 changed committees names; P.A. 85-518 changed standards of service to tax exemption projects.
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Sec. 13b-231. (Formerly Sec. 16-75f). Powers of Commissioner of Transportation. For the purpose of establishing tax exemption projects and determining the degree of compliance therewith, the Commissioner of Transportation may examine the accounts, books, and documents of each railroad for which he is preparing or has promulgated tax exemption projects, may inspect the transportation property of such railroad and the performance of maintenance, cleaning and rehabilitation work thereon, may hold investigations and hearings within or without the state, either separately or jointly with appropriate agencies of other jurisdictions, and shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of accounts, books and documents by the issuance of a subpoena.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 8; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 587, 610; P.A. 85-518, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for public utilities “commission”, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-75f transferred to Sec. 13b-231; P.A. 85-518 replaced standards of service with tax exemption projects.
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Sec. 13b-232. (Formerly Sec. 16-75g). Certification of eligibility. On or before March 1, 1980, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Transportation shall certify to the Governor as eligible to receive the exemption provided by section 12-251, any railroad transporting freight or passengers within this state or between this state and other states which, as of the date of its certification, has been found by the commissioner to have complied with the tax exemption projects issued pursuant to sections 13b-226 to 13b-233, inclusive, for such railroad for the calendar year next preceding, except in minor respects not deemed material by the commissioner in the light of the purposes of said sections, provided no such railroad shall be certified by the commissioner as eligible to receive said exemption unless the value of any expenditure made by such railroad pursuant to section 13b-228 is not less than the amount of tax to be exempted, and provided further if such expenditures are less than the amount of tax to be exempted, the commissioner shall certify such railroad as eligible to receive a partial exemption for any such amounts expended pursuant to said section 13b-228.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 9; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 12, 13, 16; P.A. 85-518, S. 8.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for public utilities “commission”, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 provided that on or before March 31, 1979, the commissioner of transportation after consultation with the public utilities control authority shall make the certification of eligibility for exemption to the governor provided the expenditure by the railroad is not less than the amount of tax to be exempted and further provided for partial exemptions where the expenditure is less; after March 31, 1979, sole responsibility for the certification on or before March 1, 1980, and annually thereafter lies with the commissioner of transportation; in 1981 Sec. 16-75g transferred to Sec. 13b-232; P.A. 85-518 replaced standards of service with tax exemption projects.
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Sec. 13b-233. (Formerly Sec. 16-75h). Report of commissioner. On or before March 1, 1980, and annually, thereafter, the Commissioner of Transportation shall submit to the Governor and the chairmen of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and to state finance, revenue and bonding a report describing the effect of the tax exemption provided by sections 12-251 and 13b-226 to 13b-233, inclusive, during the preceding calendar year, the tax exemption projects issued by him pursuant to said sections and his determination of the degree of compliance with such tax exemption projects in the preceding calendar year. The commissioner shall include in such report a summary of the financial condition of each railroad for which tax exemption projects have been issued as of the most recent practicable date, together with such additional information as he deems desirable. The commissioner shall also include in such report a list of all railroads providing passenger or freight service within the state which have not been granted an exemption by the aforementioned sections with the reasons for not granting such exemption, and his recommendations, if any, for changes in the laws of the state affecting such railroads in the light of the purposes of said sections. Railroads providing service in Connecticut may provide information in writing to the commissioner, which shall be considered by him, in the development of his recommendations for any changes in the laws of the state affecting railroads operating in the state or between this state and other states.
(1961, P.A. 11, S. 10; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 571, 587, 610; P.A. 78-291, S. 14–16; P.A. 82-314, S. 32, 63; P.A. 85-518, S. 9.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for public utilities “commission” and “authority” for “commission” thereafter, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-291 provided for submission of a preliminary report on or before March 1, 1979, by the public utilities control authority to the commissioner of transportation in lieu of the governor, provided that on or before April 1, 1979, the commissioner after consultation with the authority shall submit the report modified as he deems appropriate to the governor and the chairmen of the joint standing committees on transportation and finance–the reports to include list of railroads not granted an exemption and the reasons therefor, further provided that railroads may submit information to be considered in the development of recommendations for changes in law, effective to March 31, 1979, and further provided that on or before March 1, 1980, and annually thereafter commissioner of transportation solely responsible for the report, deleting the provisions re consultation with the authority; in 1981 Sec. 16-75h transferred to Sec. 13b-233; P.A. 82-314 changed formal designations of transportation and finance committees; P.A. 85-518 replaced “standards of service” with “tax exemption projects”.
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Sec. 13b-234. (Formerly Sec. 16-75i). Rights and benefits of on-train employees on acquisition of railroad. When the facilities of a railroad are acquired, and operation of such railroad is continued, by any person, trustee, receiver, railroad company, public authority or other authority constituting a body corporate and politic, the on-train employees of such railroad shall retain all of their employees' rights and benefits to which they were entitled prior to such acquisition. For the purposes of this section, on-train employees means trainmen, firemen or engineers. The provisions of this section do not apply to the sale or lease of individual parcels of land such as stations or parking lots.
(1969, P.A. 534; P.A. 03-115, S. 67.)
History: In 1981 Sec. 16-75i transferred to Sec. 13b-234; P.A. 03-115 made technical changes.
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Sec. 13b-235. Enforcement of statutory provisions and orders of commissioner. On application of the Commissioner of Transportation or of the Attorney General, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford may enforce, by appropriate decree or process, any provision of this chapter and chapters 245a and 245b or any valid order of the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to these chapters.
(P.A. 81-435, S. 3; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4–6.)
History: P.A. 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.
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Sec. 13b-236. Bond issue for grants for commercial rail freight lines. (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate seventeen million five hundred thousand dollars.
(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for a program of competitive grants for commercial rail freight lines operating in the state for improvements and repairs to, and the modernization of, existing rail, rail beds and related facilities. Such program shall include the following: (1) (A) Grants of one hundred per cent of the amount necessary to improve, repair or modernize state-owned rights of way, and (B) grants of seventy per cent of the amount necessary to improve, repair or modernize privately owned rail lines, provided the commissioner may waive the requirement for a thirty per cent matching grant if such improvement, repair or modernization demonstrably increases rail freight traffic; and (2) preference for grants shall be given to (A) proposals that are on the Department of Transportation's list of freight rail projects eligible to receive funds pursuant to P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, (B) freight rail projects that improve at-grade rail crossings to eliminate hazards or increase safety, (C) freight rail projects that provide connection to major freight generators, (D) projects that further the goals and objectives of the Department of Transportation's Connecticut State Rail Plan, and (E) freight rail projects that improve freight rail infrastructure by increasing the capacity for rail freight traffic.
(c) All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7, S. 56; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-2, S. 68; P.A. 10-44, S. 29; P.A. 11-256, S. 43; P.A. 14-98, S. 98; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4, S. 247; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 445; P.A. 20-1, S. 66.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7 effective July 1, 2008; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-2 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “matching” re grants and to add Subdivs. (1) and (2) re grant percentages and preferences; P.A. 10-44 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $10,000,000 to $7,500,000, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-256 deleted former Subsec. (d) re adoption of regulations, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 14-98 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing aggregate authorization from $7,500,000 to $17,500,000, and amended Subsec. (b)(2) by adding Subpara. (D) re projects to further the State Rail Plan and Subpara. (E) re projects to increase capacity for rail freight traffic, effective July 1, 2014; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $17,500,000 to $10,000,000 and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $10,000,000 to $7,500,000, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 20-1 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing aggregate authorization from $7,500,000 to $17,500,000, effective March 12, 2020.
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Sec. 13b-237. Procedure for disposal of surplus rail material. (a)(1) The Commissioner of Transportation shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, salvage or otherwise dispose of any surplus rail material, including, but not limited to, rail sections having a maximum length of two hundred feet, ties, tie plates and other track material, without first offering such surplus rail material to freight railroad companies for upgrading state-owned rights-of-way. Such offer shall be in writing and shall be sent by first class mail or electronic mail. No later than thirty days after the date of such offer, a freight railroad company interested in acquiring such surplus material shall submit, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, a notification of interest and a statement regarding the need and intended use of such surplus material. If more than one freight railroad company submits a notification of interest, the commissioner may select a freight railroad company based on the prior distribution of surplus rail material and the best intended use of such surplus rail material on state property as determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall send a notification of selection to the selected freight railroad company by first class mail or electronic mail.
(2) The commissioner shall offer remaining surplus rail material, if any, to freight railroad companies for upgrading other rail lines located within the state in the same manner as provided for in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(3) The commissioner shall make any surplus rail material available for inspection at a designated location within a rail yard or along a siding track in the state.
(b) A freight railroad company that received a notice of selection shall accept delivery of the surplus rail material not later than thirty days after receipt of such notice. If the selected freight railroad company does not accept delivery within such thirty-day period, the commissioner may select another freight railroad company that submitted a notification of interest and statement pursuant to subsection (a) of this section or salvage or otherwise dispose of the surplus rail material. The selected freight railroad company shall (1) arrange for and pay the costs associated with the handling and delivery of the surplus rail material from a specific location within a rail yard or along a siding track in the state, (2) accept the surplus rail material in “as is” condition, (3) acknowledge that the commissioner assumes no responsibility for the quality or fitness of the surplus rail material, and (4) install the surplus rail material pursuant to the statement submitted to the commissioner in accordance with subsection (a) of this section unless otherwise approved in writing by the commissioner. The selected freight railroad company shall not salvage the surplus rail material and obtain reimbursement for the cost of the handling and delivery of the surplus rail material, but may salvage any material replaced by the surplus rail material to offset such costs.
(c) The commissioner may enter into agreements with salvage companies for the salvage or disposal of surplus rail material that is not distributed to a freight railroad company pursuant to this section.
(Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-2, S. 66; P.A. 21-175, S. 18.)
History: P.A. 21-175 designated existing provision as Subsec. (a)(1) and substantially amended same to add provisions re offer of surplus rail material, notification of interest, statement regarding need and intended use, and notification of selection, added Subsecs. (a)(2) and (a)(3) re offer of remaining surplus rail material and inspection at designated location in the state, and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re acceptance of delivery of surplus rail material and agreements with salvage companies.
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Secs. 13b-238 to 13b-243. Reserved for future use.
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