For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed by this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Governing body" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen or Council, as applicable, of a town.(b) "Short-line railroad project" means any combination of the acquisition, restoration, construction, ownership, operation, oversight, maintenance and disposition of a short-line railroad by a town.(c) "Short-line railroad" means a rail line that is no more than fifty (50) total route miles in length, located within and without the State of Mississippi, together with the line's corresponding right-of-way, fixtures, facilities, and related improvements, and that, as an independent operating concern, would qualify under the standards of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a Class III rail carrier under 49 CFR 1201(1-1).(d) "Town" means a municipal corporation existing within the State of Mississippi classified as a town pursuant to Section 21-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, as of the effective date of this act, with a short-line railroad partially located within its municipal boundaries.Added by Laws, 2024, ch. TBD, HB 1519,§ 1, eff. 4/20/2024.