Vermont S. 260: An act relating to funding the cleanup of State waters

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.260
2026 Page 1 of 2

VT LEG #385706 v.1
S.260 1
Introduced by Senator Harrison 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Surface transportation; State-owned railroads; leases for continued 5
operation; legislative approval 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 7
approval of the General Assembly for any new lease or renewal of an existing 8
lease for the continued operation of a State-owned railroad right-of-way. 9
An act relating to legislative approval of leases for continued operation of 10
State-owned railroad rights-of-way 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 5 V.S.A. § 3405 is amended to read: 13
§ 3405. LEASE FOR CONTINUED OPERATION 14
(a) The Secretary, as agent for the State, with the approval of the General 15
Assembly, or if the General Assembly is not in session, approval of the Joint 16
Transportation Oversight Committee, is authorized to lease or otherwise 17
arrange for the continued operation of all or any State-owned railroad property 18
to any responsible person, provided that approval for the operation, if 19
necessary, is granted by the federal Surface Transportation Board under 49 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.260
2026 Page 2 of 2

VT LEG #385706 v.1
C.F.R. Part 1150 (certificate to construct, acquire, or operate railroad lines). 1
The transaction shall be subject to any further terms and conditions as in the 2
opinion of the Secretary are necessary and appropriate to accomplish the 3
purpose of this chapter. 4
(b) To preserve continuity of service on State-owned railroads, the 5
Secretary may enter into a short-term lease or operating agreement, for a term 6
not to exceed six months, with a responsible railroad operator. The Secretary 7
shall notify the House and Senate Committees on Transportation within 10 8
calendar days after entering into any lease or agreement pursuant to this 9
subsection. 10
(c) The Secretary shall notify the House and Senate Committees on 11
Transportation or, if the General Assembly is not in session, the Joint 12
Transportation Oversight Committee when there are 12 months remaining on 13
the operating lease for any State-owned railroad, and when there are 12 months 14
remaining on a lease extension for the operating lease for any State-owned 15
railroad. 16
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 17
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 18