Sec. 2. The department is hereby authorized to exercise those powers necessary for the state to qualify for rail service continuation subsidies pursuant to the provisions of the federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, including authority:

(a) to establish a state plan for rail transportation and local rail services;

(b) to administer and coordinate the state plan;

(c) to provide in the plan for the equitable distribution of federal rail service continuation subsidies among state, local, and regional transportation authorities;

(d) to promote, supervise, and support safe, adequate, and efficient rail services;

(e) to employ sufficient trained and qualified personnel for these purposes;

(f) to maintain adequate programs of investigation, research, promotion, and development in connection with such purposes and to provide for public participation in the programs;

(g) to provide satisfactory assurances on behalf of the State that such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures will be adopted by the State as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement of and account for federal funds paid to the State as rail service continuation subsidies;

(h) to comply with the regulations of the Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation affecting federal rail service continuation programs; and

(i) to do all things otherwise necessary to maximize federal assistance to the State under Title IV of the Federal Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973.

Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.79, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.41; P.L.1-1994, SEC.34; P.L.100-2012, SEC.22; P.L.136-2018, SEC.82.