Arizona Senate backs bill for reviews of rail projects

Supporters of railroad review bill said the requirement for disclosures of planned projects and a hearing would allow local communities to understand what could effect their areas.

The Associated Press

6/18/2008

PHOENIX — A bill to require new state reviews of new railroad projects, including a new switching yard planned by Union Pacific in southern Arizona, is picking up steam at the Arizona Legislature.

The Senate on Tuesday gave the bill a 17-7 endorsement on a preliminary vote. Senate passage on a formal vote would return the bill to the House for expected acceptance of the Senate’s changes.

The Senate’s action came more than a month after the last movement on the bill, which was sidetracked for weeks along with other non-budget measures.

Opponents said the bill would impose unnecessary regulation on a vital industry whose expansion would help the state’s economy.

Supporters said the requirement for disclosures of planned rail projects and a hearing would allow local communities to understand what could effect their areas.

“This is just merely granting citizens and communities the opportunity to discuss it with them,” said Sen. Paula Aboud, D-Tucson.

Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the other major freight railroad serving Arizona, have objected to the bill, saying it would have the state tread in a regulatory area reserved for the federal government.

Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2007 vetoed a similar bill.