SB 28-22: High Speed Rail Act (Debating)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I can sponsor.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Popping in from the House: we were not able to act on either Lumine's report or the concerns of several members regarding the need for an additional HSR line on the West Coast – among others – for a number of reasons, some of which quite frankly continue to escape me. I'd encourage the Senate, including whichever member sponsors this bill, to take up the matter with all due diligence.

Okay, that is quite a statement.

For the rest of the post, that should certainly be the priority naturally.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

This is a bill where I hope we can really make sure we understand fully & take a good amount of time debating and working on.

Especially as the version by the House is partly based on incorrect info.

I'm just flagging this up so on my part people don't think I'm ignoring it & will hopefully have more to say shortly

At minimum those issues with incorrect info need to be addressed. This was one on my list for Tuesday to focus on but it ended up getting pushed back when things ran long.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'll be writing an amendment but it'll take some time, if that's okay. Feel free to provide input for me to consider in the meantime.

Whats the status on this?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'll be writing an amendment but it'll take some time, if that's okay. Feel free to provide input for me to consider in the meantime.

Whats the status on this?

It'll take a bit. I've been overwhelmed this week.

Understandable just keep us posted on developments.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Anything we could do to assist perhaps?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AN ACT
To improve transport and connectivity across our nation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

Section I. Title

i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Expansion of High Speed Rail and Mass Transit Act." It may be cited as the "High Speed Rail Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. High speed rail is defined as a railroad capable of supporting trains in excess of 120 mph.

Section III. Construction of High Speed Rail Arteries
i. A high speed railway shall be constructed along the western coast.
     a. The Department of Transportation should negotiate possible connections through Canada and Mexico.
ii. A high speed railway shall be constructed along the eastern coast.


Section IV. Creation of National Rail Authority
i. The National Rail Authority is hereby established under the Department of Transportation and tasked with the responsibility of overseeing construction, rail route development, and consumer-end transit program implementation.
ii. The National Rail Authority shall consist of members appointed by the President of Atlasia.
iii. The layout of the seaboard routes and placement of cross-country rail routes shall be the responsibility of the National Rail Authority.
iv. Congress shall retain the ability to legislate new routes or override the decisions of the National Rail Authority if necessary.

Section V (Fair Labour, Fair Work)

1.) No company that has undertaken the activity of blacklisting workers who belong to a trade union shall be eligible for any public contracts resulting from this legislation or paid through federal funds.

2.) In the procurement of any public works relating to this bill a preference shall be given for products and raw materials made within Atlasia.

Section VI. Appropriations
i. $80 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of new rail and adaptation of old rail for the creation of the seaboard routes.
ii. $250 million shall be appropriated for surveying and planning of cross-country rail routes.
iii. $3 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of connecting routes to off-route cities.
iv. $150 billion shall be released for construction of new rail and adaptation of old rail for the creation of cross country routes pending a finalized route plan from the National Rail Authority.
v. $8 billion shall be released for the construction of connecting routes to off-route cities pending a finalized route plan from the National Rail Authority.

Sponsor Feedback: Awaiting Feedback
Status: Sponsor PMed

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hrs to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendment is adopted.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What is next here?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So Final Vote?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object to a final vote.


Let's try this.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What?

What do you mean what?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What?

What do you mean what?

Why is a bill that...I think everyone acknowledges to be incomplete being sent to final vote?

It is not being sent to a final vote. I am trying to provoke responses.

Which clearly worked in that I bagged you.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Notice the "Let's Try this" in my post.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The motion is withdrawn.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I object. There's an important amendment in the works that needs more time still.

I appreciate the update.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Going to call this for Falterin, Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Nay ftr