(a) The purpose of the Board shall be to serve as the advisory body to the Mayor, the Council, the District Department of Transportation, the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Energy and Environment on matters pertaining to investigation and surveillance of federal railroad safety laws.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) Develop policy and recommendations on the allocation of District funding, railroad enhancements, development initiatives, rail safety, homeland security, and community relations programs;

(2) Identify and develop projects and policies that mitigate the environmental impact of railroad operation and enhance the availability and utilization of railroad transportation in the District;

(3) At the request of the Mayor, the Council, the Director of the District Department of Transportation, the Director of the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency, or the Director of the Department of Energy and Environment, advise on any other matters pertaining to railroad transportation in the District; and

(4) Submit comments on proposed rules developed pursuant to § 8-151.10(c), including any proposed modifications, to the Mayor before to the expiration of the public comment period.

(c) Members of the Board shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with their official duties. Staff support for the Board shall be provided by the District Department of Transportation with supplemental support from the Department of Energy and Environment.

(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-254, § 203, 64 DCR 2028.)

Section 6033 of D.C. Law 22-168 repealed § 501(a) of D.C. Law 21-254. Therefore the creation of this section by D.C. Law 21-254 has been implemented.

Applicability of D.C. Law 21-254: § 501 of D.C. Law 21-254 provided that the creation of this section by § 203 of D.C. Law 21-254 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 401 of Law 21-254 provided that Law 21-254 shall be construed, and the authority granted under it shall be exercised, in a manner consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations.