Committee approves HB 25A after debate over rail subsidies and equipment items

The Public Works and Highways committee voted 17-1 in an executive session to pass House Bill 25A, a measure making appropriations for capital improvements, after approving amendment 1455H.

The vote came after members debated funding for a public-private partnership that subsidizes freight rail maintenance and questioned several equipment line items. Representative Kosinski voted against the amendment and the final bill, repeatedly objecting to what he described as subsidies for rail companies. Committee staff and other legislators defended the partnership as a maintenance program that reduces truck traffic and protects roads and the environment.

Representative Jack moved amendment 1455H and Representative Souter seconded. Representative Kosinski said he could not support the measure because of the rail subsidies, characterizing them as assistance to “rich businessmen” and contrasting the subsidies with his party platform favoring limited government and tight spending. Kosinski referenced a 2012 Department of Transportation plan that, he said, placed responsibility for certain rail costs on the railroad company.

Committee staff member Mr. Shea responded that the item Kosinski raised is a public-private partnership in which “the private side matches our funds whatever funds we give them 100% it is for for rail maintenance only,” and that keeping freight on rails reduces heavy truck traffic on highways. Representative Jack also spoke to the amendment, saying the committee was “not actually appropriating money to buy the thing. We are trying to appropriate enough money so that when the item is advertised for bid and the bids come in that the appropriation is is enough to fund the bid,” not to obligate a specific purchase price.

Representative Cloutier defended the public-private partnership on environmental, road‑maintenance and public‑safety grounds, saying it reduces pollutants, protects roads and bridges from heavy‑vehicle wear and improves safety by removing freight traffic from highways. After discussion, the clerk called the roll; the amendment passed 17 in the affirmative and 1 in the negative. Representative Melvin later moved to approve House Bill 25A as amended; the committee approved the bill by the same 17-1 margin.

Committee members and staff also questioned several line items during debate, citing examples raised by Representative Kosinski such as an item in the “$2,600,000 range,” a $350,000 backhoe request, and a $2,300,000 license‑plate line item that he said was later reduced by about $1,000,000. During closing remarks the chair said the committee landed the bill about $10,500,000 under the governor’s ask.

The chair closed the executive session after the votes and asked whether Representative Kosinski would file a minority report; the record shows the question was posed during the closing remarks.