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2. High -Speed Passenger Rail Background: Higher speed passenger rail is a relatively new industry to the State of Florida and includes passen- ger trains which travel, or intend to travel, at more than 79 miles per hour. Unfortunately, since arriving to Flori- da in January of 2018, this new industry has produced the highest per -mile death rate of railways throughout the entire nation and has accounted for more than 40 fatalities involving higher -speed passenger trains. Accordingly, 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 improvements. Senator Debbie Mayfield and Representative Tyler Sirois have introduced legislation which would clarify the du- ties of FDOT with respect to higher -speed rail and which would also implement certain safety standards for those rail corridors utilized by higher -speed trains. It is our hope that the Legislature and FDOT will recognize the need to be proactive and offer efficient and effective regulation of an evolving industry poised for future ex- pansion throughout the state. Position: Indian River County BCC SUPPORTS legislative and executive branch advocacy efforts to regulate passenger rail in order to protect the State of Florida's citizens, local governments, wildlife, waterways, and natu- ral environment; and OPPOSES any effort to shift the cost burden of operating and maintaining passenger rail onto local governments or the State of Florida. 132 6