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Utah House rejects resolution urging ban on hazardous rail shipments during Olympics
Summary
The Utah House voted 47–22 to reject HJR 20, a nonbinding resolution urging the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command to prohibit hazardous materials being transported by rail through Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Games. Sponsors cited security risks; opponents warned of economic disruption and said security planners do not support the measure.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House voted down House Joint Resolution 20 on Feb. 4, rejecting an effort to urge the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command to bar hazardous‑materials shipments by rail through Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Representative Fred Fife, the resolution’s sponsor, told colleagues the measure was an urging action, not a mandate, aimed at reducing the risk to downtown venues and spectators. "The purpose is to urge the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command to prohibit the transportation of hazardous materials through Salt Lake City during the Olympics," Fife said during floor remarks.
Supporters pointed to specific substances emergency crews had identified as most dangerous in the event of a derailment or attack — including sulfuric acid, chlorine gas, anhydrous ammonia and sulfur dioxide — and noted recent reactivation of the 900 South rail corridor that runs near key venues.
Opponents questioned the practical effects of the resolution and raised economic and operational concerns. Representative Paul Ray said he had spoken with Olympic security planners, who were not supporting the measure, and warned that stopping shipments could create vulnerable build‑ups of rail cars and disrupt commerce. Other members said a broad, undefined ban could affect deliveries of routine commercial goods such as fertilizer and gasoline and potentially harm regional employers.
Representative Mascaro argued the resolution simply urged consideration and did not impose a state‑level mandate, saying it would prompt command officials to weigh alternatives for moving hazardous loads away from dense spectator areas. Representative Wallace said federal, state and local security planners had prepared detailed plans and cautioned that the legislature should not undercut those experts.
After extended debate, the House recorded 22 yes votes and 47 no votes; the resolution failed and was filed.
Next steps: Because HJR 20 was a nonbinding resolution and it failed on the floor, no direct change to rail operations or command authority was ordered by the legislature. The debate, however, put public safety planning and commercial impacts on the record ahead of the Games.
