2023 23LSO-0652
STATE OF WYOMING
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. HJ0005
Passenger rail service.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Sherwood, Eklund, Larson, JT,
Niemiec, Storer, Trujillo, Wylie and Zwonitzer, Dv and Senator(s) Kolb and Schuler
A JOINT RESOLUTION
for
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION in support of interstate passenger rail
2 expansion.
3
4 WHEREAS, the railroad has shaped the history of Wyoming. From
5 the first tracks laid in 1867, the establishment of a
6 transcontinental railroad attracted new residents west and
7 provided Wyoming's agricultural and mineral products access
8 to distant markets. It also created supporting industries,
9 including locomotive maintenance, steel manufacturing, coal
10 mining and logging for railroad ties that spurred economic
11 development; and
12
13 WHEREAS, while Wyoming's railroads historically offered
14 extensive passenger service, there has been no regularly
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1 scheduled passenger rail services in the state since Amtrak
2 discontinued its pioneer route across southern Wyoming in May
3 of 1997; and
4
5 WHEREAS, many of Wyoming's cities and towns owe their very
6 existence to the railroads; and
7
8 WHEREAS, much of rural America is underserved by long-
9 distance passenger rail options; and
10
11 WHEREAS, railway investment can spur economic growth by
12 stimulating travel and tourism spending in Wyoming's rural
13 communities and at the state's cultural attractions; and
14
15 WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can promote economic
16 opportunity by fostering a business environment that attracts
17 investment and creates jobs; and
18
19 WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can encourage
20 individuals to travel by rail, reducing highway wear and
21 traffic crashes and giving passengers an alternative mode of
22 transportation during inclement weather; and
23
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1 WHEREAS, Wyoming wishes to collaborate with states in the
2 rocky mountain region to re-establish an intermountain
3 corridor.
4
5 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
6 OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:
7
8 Section 1. That the legislature requests that the
9 governor's office and the Wyoming department of
10 transportation research interstate passenger rail expansion
11 and identify opportunities for funding interstate rail
12 including sources to implement, operate and maintain the
13 proposed service.
14
15 Section 2. That the governor's office and the Wyoming
16 department of transportation work with cities, towns and
17 public and private stakeholders to evaluate the expansion of
18 passenger rail infrastructure in Wyoming.
19
20 Section 3. That the Wyoming department of
21 transportation monitor new passenger rail planning efforts in
22 neighboring states that could set the stage for the future
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1 development of potential passenger rail service in the
2 region.
3
4 Section 4. That the Wyoming department of
5 transportation continue its participation in the front range
6 passenger rail study in coordination with the Colorado
7 department of transportation.
8
9 Section 5. That the Wyoming department of
10 transportation participate with Montana's big sky rail
11 authority as appropriate to create a regional base of support
12 for expanding passenger rail service on corridors that serve
13 Wyoming and Montana.
14
15 Section 6. That the Wyoming department of
16 transportation, the Colorado department of transportation and
17 the Montana big sky rail authority identify a potential
18 service implementation schedule and explore operating
19 agreements with Amtrak and the Union Pacific Railroad Company
20 for the return of long-distance passenger rail service across
21 Wyoming.
22
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 2023 STATE OF WYOMING 23LSO-0652
1 Section 7. That a report be prepared by the governor's
2 office and the Wyoming department of transportation for the
3 legislature and members of Wyoming's Congressional Delegation
4 on recommendations for expanding passenger rail
5 infrastructure and funding opportunities.
6
7 Section 8. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming
8 transmit copies of this resolution to the Wyoming
9 Congressional Delegation, the governor's office, the Wyoming
10 department of transportation and the Colorado, Idaho,
11 Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Utah governors,
12 legislatures and departments of transportation.
13
14 (END)
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