Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Freight Logistics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Freight & Logistics report adopted; House resolution to extend commission passes and rail‑fund placeholder moves to rules
Summary
Lawmakers accepted the Freight & Logistics Commission final report, voted to extend the commission by resolution, and moved legislation creating a rail enhancement/preservation/industrial access fund placeholder to the Rules Committee; voice votes carried each action.
The joint House‑Senate Transportation Committee voted to accept the Freight & Logistics Commission's final report, approved a resolution to extend the commission for another year, and moved a rail‑fund placeholder bill forward to the Rules Committee.
Committee leaders said the Freight & Logistics Commission identified workforce development, truck parking tied to electronic logging requirements, increasing rail freight and a funding gap for freight corridors as principal issues. The committee adopted the report by motion and voice vote. "We have a gap in funding," the chair said while summarizing the commission's findings and the need for continued work to identify solutions.
Representative Vance Smith moved to pass House Resolution 935, which would extend the commission for another year so it can develop actionable recommendations. The motion passed by voice vote and, if adopted by both chambers, would reconvene the joint commission with substantially the same membership to return findings at the end of the session.
The committee also considered legislation that had previously been known as SB 89. That language would create a rail enhancement fund with three subprograms: a rail enhancement fund for large capital projects, a rail preservation fund for short‑line maintenance and a rail industrial access fund to connect industry to existing rail lines. The committee chair and witnesses emphasized the measure is a budget placeholder and does not itself appropriate funds.
Mr. Milton, speaking for the rail industry, told the committee HB 170 monies were not contemplated for the rail fund and that appropriations would come from the general fund or other future sources, giving GDOT a mechanism to request appropriations when available. Committee members asked whether the proposal could be used on private rail lines and whether it would include passenger rail; the chair clarified the proposal is freight‑rail only.
Both the rail placeholder and the resolution to extend the Freight & Logistics Commission were advanced by voice vote; the rail placeholder will proceed to the Rules Committee for further consideration.
Next steps: the resolution will go to the House floor and then the Senate; the rail placeholder moves to Rules where its appropriation mechanics and eligibility will be addressed if the legislature chooses to fund it.
