Rep. Manweller’s legislation to transfer railroad to Port of Royal Slope passes House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2015

CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Senior Information Officer - (360) 786-7794

 Rep. Manweller's legislation to transfer railroad to Port of Royal Slope passes House

Rep. Matt Manweller's efforts to get more working rail lines in eastern Washington are on the right track.

House Bill 1586, which would transfer the Royal Slope railroad from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to the Port of Royal Slope, has passed the state House of Representatives.

"This makes sense. The port should have this railroad as they have been working for a number of years to rehabilitate this rail line and make it operational," said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. "This line could increase business and create jobs in Royal City, and once again be instrumental in moving agriculture products from Royal to Othello."

The transfer would be made at no cost to the port and the port must contract with an operator. If there is no operator on the line for any continuous five-year period the right-of-way and railroad would revert back to the WSDOT.

The bill passed the House 97-1. It is now in the Senate for further consideration. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn the 105-day regular session on April 26.

PHOTO: Rep. Matt Manweller speaks on the House floor

For more information about Rep. Manweller, visit: www.representativemattmanweller.com.

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