---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 22702"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "22702"
heading: "Authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/22702"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Rail Programs"
  - "Part B — Assistance"
  - "Chapter 227 — State Rail Plans"
---

# §22702. Authority

- (a) **In General.—** Each [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) may prepare and maintain a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) rail plan in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- (b) **Requirements.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) shall establish the minimum requirements for the preparation and periodic revision of a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) rail plan, including that a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) establish or designate a [State rail transportation authority](/usc/49/22701.md?p=4) to prepare, maintain, coordinate, and administer the plan;
  - (2) establish or designate a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) rail plan approval authority to approve the plan;
  - (3) submit the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3)’s approved plan to the [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) of Transportation for review; and
  - (4) revise and resubmit a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3)-approved plan no less frequently than once every 4 years for acceptance by the [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title III, § 303(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4948; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11315(a)(1), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1674.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “4 years for acceptance by the Secretary” for “5 years for reapproval by the Secretary”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.