Signed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop a new passenger rail transportation plan, with long-term goals of increasing rail ridership, boosting tourism, increasing rail capacity, and improving rail infrastructure.

Highlights:

• Requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop a new passenger rail transportation plan, with long-term goals of increasing rail ridership, boosting tourism, increasing rail capacity, and improving rail infrastructure (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes and directs ODOT to collaborate with the Washington State Department of Transportation and British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, along with other bodies, in developing a shared long-term passenger rail plan in the Cascade Rail Corridor (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes ODOT agencies to enter into specific agreements with other bodies as needed (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes the Department of Transportation may enter into agreements with the Washington State Department of Transportation and other governmental entities to (Sec. 1-4):

• Collaborate on developing shared objectives for passenger and freight rail;

• Develop regional approaches to rail infrastructure improvements; and 

• Enable joint proposals to federal and other funding sources.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 90 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop a new passenger rail transportation plan, with long-term goals of increasing rail ridership, boosting tourism, increasing rail capacity, and improving rail infrastructure.

Highlights:

• Requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop a new passenger rail transportation plan, with long-term goals of increasing rail ridership, boosting tourism, increasing rail capacity, and improving rail infrastructure (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes and directs ODOT to collaborate with the Washington State Department of Transportation and British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, along with other bodies, in developing a shared long-term passenger rail plan in the Cascade Rail Corridor (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes ODOT agencies to enter into specific agreements with other bodies as needed (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes the Department of Transportation may enter into agreements with the Washington State Department of Transportation and other governmental entities to (Sec. 1-4):

• Collaborate on developing shared objectives for passenger and freight rail;

• Develop regional approaches to rail infrastructure improvements; and 

• Enable joint proposals to federal and other funding sources.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 90 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text