Sec. 7. (a) Except as otherwise provided, the money necessary to finance the general operations of the commission in carrying forth its duties, responsibilities, and powers as stated in this chapter shall be appropriated to the commission by the compacting states, when authorized by the respective legislatures, by equal apportionment among the compacting states.

     (b) This compact may not be construed to commit a member state to participate in financing a rail project except as provided by law of the member state.

     (c) The commission may accept, for any of its purposes and functions, donations, gifts, grants, and appropriations of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services from the federal government, from any party state or from any department, agency, or municipality thereof, or from any institution, person, firm, or corporation.

     (d) All expenses incurred by the commission in executing the duties imposed upon it by this compact shall be paid by the commission out of the funds available to it.

     (e) The commission may not issue a debt instrument.

     (f) The commission shall submit to the officer designated by the laws of each party state, periodically as required by the laws of each party state, a budget of its actual past and estimated future expenditures.

As added by P.L.131-2000, SEC.1.