(1) DEFINITION. In this section, “Amtrak” means the national railroad passenger corporation. (2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that private capital and local governmental financial and technical resources are unable to fully meet the transportation needs of all citizens. It is determined that the program authorized under this section, including the improvement of the property or facilities of a railroad, whether publicly or privately owned, is a legitimate governmental function serving proper public purposes. (3) PROGRAM. (a) The department shall administer a rail passenger route development program. From the appropriations under ss. 20.395 (2) (br) and 20.866 (2) (up), the department may fund any of the following: 1. Capital costs related to Amtrak service extension routes or other rail service routes between the cities of Milwaukee and Madison, between the cities of Milwaukee and Green Bay, between the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago, between the cities of Madison and Eau Claire, and between the cities of Madison and La Crosse. Any route between the cities of Milwaukee and Green Bay funded under the program shall provide service to population centers along the route in a manner that makes the route most economically feasible. 2. Railroad track or rail passenger station improvements related to an Amtrak service extension route between the city of Milwaukee and Waukesha County, or the establishment of commuter rail service between these jurisdictions. 3. Rail passenger station improvements related to an existing rail passenger service. (b) The department may not use any proceeds from the bond issue authorized under s. 20.866 (2) (up) unless the joint committee on finance approves the use of the proceeds and, with respect to a route under par. (a) 1. or 2., the department submits evidence to the joint committee on finance that Amtrak or the applicable railroad has agreed to provide rail passenger service on that route. The department may contract with Amtrak, railroads or other persons to perform the activities under the program.
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