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2. Higher -Speed Passenger Rail Background: For at least a decade, higher -speed passenger rail has been discussed and proposed within the State of Florida. While Brightline (aka Virgin Trains) is the most recent passenger rail service being proposed, it is not the first and it certainly will not be the last. It is imperative that the State of Florida implement the statutory structure to hold railroads operating passenger rail service accountable for the highest degree of safety improve- ments. Position: Indian River County BCC OPPOSES any state, federal or local funding for private passenger rail pro- jects proposing to traverse through its jurisdiction including, but not limited to, Brightline (aka Virgin Trains); SUPPORTS legislative and executive branch advocacy efforts to regulate higher -speed passenger rail in order to protect the State of Florida's citizens, local governments, wildlife, waterways, and natural environment; and OP- POSES any effort to shift the cost burden of operating and maintaining passenger rail onto local governments or the State of Florida. No Legislation was filed this session. Last year, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) released the Florida Passenger Rail System Study, dated October 31, 2019. The Study identified the following key issues: High rate of severe injuries and fatalities and high levels of trespassing incidents on railroad right of way due to rail services operating in dense urban areas Gaps in regulations that are specific to higher -speed rail operations and a series of rail expansion projects The need to clarify FDOT's mandate on oversight of passenger rail with respect to maintenance, safety, revitalization, and expansion The lack of resources for local governments for planning rail projects We are currently working with the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the issues pertaining to the safety of the highway -railroad crossings in Indian River County. Recently FDOT and County staff completed field inspections of the crossings and identified specific concerns. We will continue to work with FDOT and re- quest 5that the agency address specific concerns about the proposed crossing designs as submitted by Virgin Trains. 82 3