What's happening
This bill authorizes a study on the feasibility, costs, and benefits of expanding freight railroad service in New York State.
Why it matters
Examines both economic and environmental impacts. , ensuring that decisions about expanding freight rail take into account local economies, jobs, air quality, noise, and effects on ecosystems—an important balance for communities that might be affected by new or increased rail activity.
Considers how expanded freight rail would interact with other freight carriers. , potentially affecting competition, costs for businesses, and the overall efficiency of New York’s freight movement system.
Addresses infrastructure investments and funding opportunities. , including the viability and costs of upgrading rail lines and intermodal yards, and whether federal grants could offset state or local spending.
Requires a comprehensive report to state leaders. within a year, meaning that the study could swiftly inform major transportation, economic development, and environmental policy decisions.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Transportation
The commissioner would be directed to study freight rail expansion and deliver findings and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders within one year.
Freight rail operators and intermodal yard operators
The study would examine expansion costs, rail maintenance needs, opportunities to build or modernize intermodal yards, and available federal capital grants.
Cities and other municipalities along freight rail routes
The study would assess local economic effects and environmental impacts, including train noise, engine emissions and effects on ecosystems and habitats.
Other freight delivery carriers
The study would examine how expanded freight rail service could affect their businesses and compare rail repair and maintenance costs with other freight delivery options.
Headline styles
Study Freight Rail Expansion
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3141
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT in relation to authorizing the commissioner of transportation to conduct a study regarding feasibility of expanding freight railroad service within the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of transportation is authorized and directed to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of expanding freight railroad service within the state. Such study shall focus on the costs and benefits of such an expansion, and shall include, but not limited to:
1. the economic impact of freight rail service on cities and other local municipalities;
2. the environmental impact of expanded freight railroad service, including but not limited to:
a. the impact of noise on the affected environment resulting from, engine idling, whistle blowing and general train operation;
b. the impact of engine emissions on air quality;
c. the impact of such service on local ecosystems and habitats;
3. the economic impact of freight railroad service on other freight delivery carriers;
4. the economic costs to repair and maintain expanded freight railroad service to make it a viable option for freight delivery as compared to other freight delivery carriers;
5. the potential to build additional intermodal railroad yards, and repair, expand and modernize existing intermodal railroad yards throughout the state to serve as hubs for the loading and unloading of freight;
6. the availability of capital grants from the federal government to assist in funding such a project;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06301-01-9
A. 3141 2
7. a general cost benefit analysis regarding the expansion of freight railroad service within the state; and
8. any other information the commissioner of transportation deems relevant.
§ 2. A report of the findings of such study and recommendations of the commissioner of transportation shall be delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly within one year after the effective date of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.