Senator Luz Escamilla proposes the following substitute bill:


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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE EVALUATION

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OF INTERSTATE PASSENGER RAIL OPPORTUNITIES

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2021 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Luz Escamilla

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House Sponsor: Sandra Hollins

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This concurrent resolution encourages the evaluation of interstate passenger rail
11     opportunities and the expansion of Utah's rail infrastructure.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     recognizes the benefits of railway investment and expanded rail infrastructure;
15          ▸     requests that the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Transit Authority,
16     and Utah's Metropolitan Planning Organizations research interstate rail expansion
17     and identify funding opportunities; and
18          ▸     calls on the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Utah Department of
19     Transportation, the Utah Transit Authority, and Utah's Metropolitan Planning
20     Organizations to work together to evaluate expanded rail infrastructure in Utah and
21     report to the Legislature, the Governor, and Utah's federal delegation to the United
22     States Congress.
23     Special Clauses:
24          None
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26     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
27          WHEREAS, railway investment can spur economic growth by inducing travel and
28     tourism spending;
29          WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can promote economic opportunity by
30     fostering a business environment that attracts investment and creates jobs;
31          WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can foster rural economic development by
32     improving access to rural communities and tourist attractions;
33          WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can encourage individuals to travel by rail,
34     reducing air pollution, highway wear, and traffic crashes; and
35          WHEREAS, expanded rail infrastructure can facilitate interstate mobility by connecting
36     Utah's cities, towns, and rural communities to other states:
37          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
38          Governor concurring therein, requests that the Utah Department of Transportation, the
39     Utah Transit Authority, the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Dixie Metropolitan
40     Planning Organization, the Mountainland Association of Governments, and the Wasatch Front
41     Regional Council research interstate passenger rail expansion, including the feasibility of a
42     multi-state passenger rail commission, and identify opportunities for funding interstate rail.
43          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor call on the
44     Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah
45     Transit Authority, the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Dixie Metropolitan
46     Planning Organization, the Mountainland Association of Governments, and the Wasatch Front
47     Regional Council to work together to evaluate the expansion of passenger rail infrastructure in
48     Utah.
49          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor request that the
50     Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah
51     Transit Authority, the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Dixie Metropolitan
52     Planning Organization, the Mountainland Association of Governments, and the Wasatch Front
53     Regional Council prepare a report for the Legislature, the Governor, and members of Utah's
54     federal delegation to Congress on recommendations for expanding passenger rail infrastructure
55     and funding opportunities.
56          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to members of

57     Utah's congressional delegation, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Utah
58     Department of Transportation, the Utah Transit Authority, the Cache Metropolitan Planning
59     Organization, the Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Mountainland Association of
60     Governments, and the Wasatch Front Regional Council.