327J.3  Administration.
  1.  The director may expend moneys from the fund to pay the costs associated with the initiation, operation, and maintenance of passenger rail service. The director shall report by February 1 of each year to the legislative services agency concerning the status of the fund including anticipated expenditures for the following fiscal year.
  2.  The director may enter into agreements with AMTRAK, other rail operators, local jurisdictions, and other states for the purpose of developing passenger rail service serving Iowa. The agreements may include any of the following:
  a.  Cost-sharing agreements associated with initiating service, capital costs, operating subsidies, and other costs necessary to develop and maintain service.
  b.  Joint powers agreements and other institutional arrangements associated with the administration, management, and operation of passenger rail service.
  3.  The director shall enter into discussions with members of Iowa’s congressional delegation to foster passenger rail service in this state and the midwest and to maximize the level of federal funding for the service.
  4.  The director may provide assistance and enter into agreements with local jurisdictions along the proposed route of the midwest regional rail system or other passenger rail service operations serving Iowa to ensure that rail stations and terminals are designed and developed in accordance with the following objectives:
  a.  To meet safety and efficiency requirements outlined by AMTRAK and the federal railroad administration.
  b.  To aid intermodal transportation.
  c.  To encourage economic development.
  5.  The director shall report annually to the general assembly concerning the development and operation of the midwest regional rail system and the state’s passenger rail service.
92 Acts, ch 1210, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1168, §2; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §45, 49; 2009 Acts, ch 97, §18