RSA 228:69: Appropriation and Use of Special Railroad Fund.

I. All moneys including moneys received from the railroad tax imposed by RSA 82:31, operating agreements, rentals, and permit, application, and renewal fees shall be deposited in the special railroad fund established by RSA 228:68, and are hereby appropriated to be expended by the commissioner as follows:

(a) Twenty percent of the state's receipts from each railroad operating agreement shall be distributed annually to the cities and towns through which the active state-owned railroad lines used in each such agreement pass in proportion to the active state-owned trackage present in each such city or town.

(b) With the approval of the fiscal committee and governor and council, for the purchase, operation, or maintenance of railroad properties acquired or to be acquired pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision.

(c) To provide funding for the Boston to Montreal High Speed Rail Planning and Feasibility Study for the high speed rail connection between Boston and Montreal in an amount not to exceed $85,000.

II. Notwithstanding paragraph I, the commissioner may expend up to $5,000 for each project involving the operation and maintenance of railroad properties without a special appropriation or the approval of the fiscal committee and governor and council.