RCW 47.76.200 Legislative findings. The legislature finds that a balanced multimodal transportation system is required to maintain the state’s commitment to the growing mobility needs of its citizens and commerce. The state’s freight rail system, including branch lines, mainlines, rail corridors, terminals, yards, and equipment, is an important element of this multimodal system. Washington’s economy […]
RCW 47.76.210 State freight rail program. The Washington state department of transportation shall implement a state freight rail program that supports the freight rail service objectives identified in the state’s multimodal transportation plan required under chapter 47.06 RCW. The support may be in the form of projects and strategies that support branch lines and light-density […]
RCW 47.76.220 State rail plan—Contents. (1) The department of transportation shall prepare and periodically update a state rail plan, the objective of which is to identify, evaluate, and encourage essential rail services. The plan shall: (a) Identify and evaluate mainline capacity issues; (b) Identify and evaluate port-to-rail access and congestion issues; (c) Identify and evaluate […]
RCW 47.76.230 Freight rail planning—Railroad safety. (1) The department of transportation shall continue its responsibility for the development and implementation of the state rail plan and programs, and the utilities and transportation commission shall continue its responsibility for railroad safety issues. (2) The department of transportation shall maintain an enhanced data file on the rail […]
RCW 47.76.240 Rail preservation program. The state, counties, local communities, ports, railroads, labor, and shippers all benefit from continuation of rail service and should participate in its preservation. Lines that provide benefits to the state and local jurisdictions, such as avoided roadway costs, reduced traffic congestion, economic development potential, environmental protection, and safety, should be […]
RCW 47.76.250 Essential rail assistance account—Purposes. (1) The essential rail assistance account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be appropriated only for the purposes specified in this section. (2) Moneys appropriated from the account to the department of transportation may be used by the department or distributed by the department […]
RCW 47.76.255 Essential rail assistance account—Deposit of revenue from lease or operations on Palouse River and Coulee City rail lines. All revenue received by the department of transportation from operating leases or other business operations on the Palouse River and Coulee City rail lines must be deposited in the essential rail assistance account created in […]
RCW 47.76.270 Essential rail banking account merged into essential rail assistance account. The essential rail banking account is merged into the essential rail assistance account created under RCW 47.76.250. Any appropriations made to the essential rail banking account are transferred to the essential rail assistance account, and are subject to the restrictions of that account. […]
RCW 47.76.280 Sale or lease for use as rail service—Time limit. (1) The department may sell or lease property acquired under this chapter to a county rail district established under chapter 36.60 RCW, a county, a port district, or any other public or private entity authorized to operate rail service. Any public or private entity […]
RCW 47.76.290 Sale or lease for other use—Authorized buyers, notice, terms, deed, deposit of moneys. (1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter that is essential for the operation of the rail service contemplated in RCW 47.76.280 is not sold or leased to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail […]
RCW 47.76.300 Sale for other use—Governmental entity. If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail service within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may transfer and convey the property to the United States, its agencies or […]
RCW 47.76.310 Rent or lease of lands. The department is authorized subject to the provisions and requirements of zoning ordinances of political subdivisions of government, to rent or lease any lands acquired under this chapter, upon such terms and conditions as the department determines. [ 1993 c 224 § 10; 1991 sp.s. c 15 § […]
RCW 47.76.320 Sale at public auction. (1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold, conveyed, or leased to a public or private entity within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may, in its discretion, sell the property at public auction in accordance with subsections (2) […]
RCW 47.76.330 Eminent domain exemptions. Transfers of ownership of property acquired under this chapter are exempt from chapters 8.25 and 8.26 RCW. [ 1993 c 224 § 12; 1991 sp.s. c 15 § 66; 1985 c 432 § 8. Formerly RCW 47.76.090.] NOTES: Construction—Severability—1991 sp.s. c 15: See note following RCW 46.68.110.
RCW 47.76.350 Monitoring federal rail policies. The department of transportation shall continue to monitor federal rail policies and congressional action and communicate to Washington’s congressional delegation and federal transportation agencies the need for a balanced transportation system and associated funding. [ 1990 c 43 § 10. Formerly RCW 47.76.190.] NOTES: Construction—Severability—Headings—1990 c 43: See notes […]
RCW 47.76.360 Transfer of funds in excess of grain train program operating needs or capital reserves authorized. Funds deemed by the department of transportation, in consultation with relevant port districts, to be in excess of current operating needs or capital reserves of the grain train program may be transferred from the miscellaneous program account to […]
RCW 47.76.370 Royal Slope railroad right-of-way—Transfer, reversion, agreement. (1) The department must transfer, at no cost, to the Port of Royal Slope the Royal Slope railroad right-of-way, and any materials, equipment, and supplies purchased as a part of the Royal Slope rehabilitation project (L1000053). (2) The Port of Royal Slope must maintain the Royal Slope […]
RCW 47.76.400 Produce railcar pool—Findings—Intent. The legislature finds that an actively coordinated and cooperatively facilitated railcar pool for transportation of perishable agricultural commodities is necessary for the continued viability and competitiveness of Washington’s agricultural industry. The legislature also finds that the rail transportation model established by the Washington Grain Train program has been successful in […]
RCW 47.76.410 Produce railcar pool—Definition. As used in RCW 47.76.400 through 47.76.450 “short line railroad” means a Class II or Class III railroad as defined by the United States Surface Transportation Board. [ 2003 c 191 § 2.]
RCW 47.76.420 Produce railcar pool—Departmental authority. In addition to powers otherwise granted by law, the department may establish a Washington Produce Railcar Pool to promote viable, cost-effective rail service for Washington produce, including but not limited to apples, onions, pears, and potatoes, both processed and fresh. To the extent that funds are appropriated, the department […]
