---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 22705"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "22705"
heading: "Content"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/22705"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Rail Programs"
  - "Part B — Assistance"
  - "Chapter 227 — State Rail Plans"
---

# §22705. Content

- (a) **In General.—** Each [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) rail plan shall, at a minimum, contain the following:
  - (1) An inventory of the existing overall rail transportation system and rail services and facilities within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) and an analysis of the role of rail transportation within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3)’s surface transportation system.
  - (2) A review of all rail lines within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3), including proposed [high-speed rail](/usc/49/26105.md?p=2) corridors and significant rail line segments not currently in service.
  - (3) A statement of the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3)’s passenger rail service objectives, including minimum service levels, for rail transportation routes in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3).
  - (4) A general analysis of rail’s transportation, economic, and environmental impacts in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3), including congestion mitigation, trade and economic development, air quality, land-use, energy-use, and community impacts.
  - (5) A long-range rail investment program for [current](/usc/49/22401.md?p=2) and future freight and passenger infrastructure in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) that meets the requirements of [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (6) A statement of public financing issues for rail projects and service in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3), including a list of [current](/usc/49/22401.md?p=2) and prospective public capital and operating funding resources, public subsidies, [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) taxation, and other financial policies relating to rail infrastructure development.
  - (7) An identification of rail infrastructure issues within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) that reflects consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
  - (8) A review of major passenger and freight [intermodal](/usc/49/22401.md?p=5) rail connections and facilities within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3), including seaports, and prioritized options to maximize service integration and efficiency between rail and other modes of transportation within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3).
  - (9) A review of publicly funded projects within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) to improve rail transportation safety and security, including all major projects funded under [section 130 of title 23](/usc/23/130.md).
  - (10) A performance evaluation of passenger rail services operating in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3), including possible improvements in those services, and a description of strategies to achieve those improvements.
  - (11) A compilation of studies and reports on [high-speed rail](/usc/49/26105.md?p=2) corridor development within the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) not included in a previous plan under this subchapter,[^1] and a plan for funding any recommended development of such corridors in the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3).
- (b) **Long-Range Service and Investment Program.—**
  - (1) **Program content.—** A long-range rail investment program included in a [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) rail plan under [subsection (a)(5)](#a-5) shall, at a minimum, include the following matters:
    - (A) A list of any rail [capital projects](/usc/49/22901.md?p=2) expected to be undertaken or supported in whole or in part by the [State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3).
    - (B) A detailed funding plan for those projects.
  - (2) **Project list content.—** The list of rail [capital projects](/usc/49/22901.md?p=2) shall contain—
    - (A) a description of the anticipated public and [private benefits](/usc/49/22701.md?p=1-A) of each such project; and
    - (B) a statement of the correlation between—
      - (i) public funding contributions for the projects; and
      - (ii) the [public benefits](/usc/49/22701.md?p=2-A).
  - (3) **Considerations for project list.—** In preparing the list of freight and intercity passenger rail [capital projects](/usc/49/22901.md?p=2), a [State rail transportation authority](/usc/49/22701.md?p=4) should take into consideration the following matters:
    - (A) Contributions made by non-Federal and non-[State](/usc/49/22701.md?p=3) sources through user fees, matching funds, or other private capital involvement.
    - (B) Rail capacity and congestion effects.
    - (C) Effects on highway, aviation, and maritime capacity, congestion, or safety.
    - (D) Regional balance.
    - (E) Environmental impact.
    - (F) Economic and employment impacts.
    - (G) Projected ridership and other service measures for passenger rail projects.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “chapter,”.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title III, § 303(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4949; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11315(a)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1674.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 114–94 struck out par. (12) which read as follows: “A statement that the State is in compliance with the requirements of section 22102.”

### 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.