§2173. Creation of compacts; jurisdiction

A. There is in state government a Louisiana Intrastate Rail Authority. The authority shall direct the development and implementation of intrastate high-speed rail service that is fully integrated with the state's existing intrastate rail and bus network, consisting of interlinked conventional and high-speed rail lines and associated feeder buses. The intrastate network in turn shall be fully coordinated and connected with commuter rail lines and urban rail transit lines developed by local agencies, as well as other transit services, through the use of common station facilities whenever possible. The authority may apply for and expend federal funds made available through the American Recover and Reinvestment Act of 2009, upon appropriation of the legislature, to develop passenger rail corridors in Louisiana.

B. Any parish or municipality, or two or more parishes or municipalities, or any combination of parishes and municipalities are hereby authorized to form a quasi-governmental compact. Any such compact created pursuant to this Chapter shall be considered and treated as a body politic and corporate established for the public purposes enumerated herein. The boundaries of the compact shall be coextensive with the territorial boundaries of the parish or parishes or municipality or municipalities which establish such compact. The compact shall have the power to adopt bylaws containing such terms and provisions as the directors of the compact shall deem necessary or convenient to further carry out its purposes, provided that nothing therein may contravene any of the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 2010, No. 838, §2, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 858, §1, eff. June 30, 2010.