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Senate approves $1.6M financing measure for historic railroad asset
Summary
Senate Bill 259, described by the sponsor as financing for the 'Eber/Hebrew Creeper' historic railroad, passed the Senate after proponents said purchasing terminal grounds and rolling stock would preserve a tourist asset. The Senate vote was 19–9 in favor.
Senate Bill 259, presented by Senator Marine, would provide financing related to the historic railroad operation referenced in the transcript as the ‘Eber/Heber Creeper.’ The sponsor outlined a history of a task force that studied options to preserve the railroad and described possible approaches ranging from doing nothing (risking loss of the asset) to purchasing the terminal grounds and rolling stock to ensure continued operations and historic preservation.
On the floor, Senator Marine said the state already owns tracks and right‑of‑way through the canyon, and that the missing element was terminal grounds and rolling stock. She noted an audit suggesting purchasing those terminal grounds and assets would likely provide enough capital to remedy problems for a period and emphasized tourism and economic benefits tied to an operating railroad.
Floor supporters argued the equipment is increasingly valuable and scarce and that losing the rolling stock would undermine an operating tourist railroad in the state. One senator summarized the approximate bill cost at "$1,600,000" while urging that the Legislature place the bill in a posture to reach the House if the support exists.
A roll‑call vote recorded 19 ayes, 9 nays, and 1 absent; the clerk declared the bill passed and sent it to the House for further action.
What’s next: The bill will be transmitted to the House for its action; if enacted it would trigger steps to acquire or finance the terminal grounds and rolling stock described on the floor. Specific acquisition terms and oversight/implementation details were not resolved during floor debate.
