Legislation that would give state spending on freight rail a permanent spot in Georgia’s annual budgets gained final passage in the General Assembly Wednesday.
The state Senate passed the bill unanimously without making any changes to the version of the measure that cleared the Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly in February.
Guaranteeing freight rail investment a line item in the state budget was among the recommendations of the Georgia Freight & Logistics Commission, a task force of legislators, business leaders and logistics industry executives formed last year to look for ways to move freight more efficiently through the state.
The bill, which was introduced by House Transportation Committee Chairman Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, does not commit the Georgia Department of Transportation to actually spend money on freight rail every year, Senate Majority Whip Steve Gooch said on the Senate floor Wednesday. But it does ensure that will be a spot in the budget for freight rail investment when funding is available, said Gooch, R-Dahlonega.
In researching the issue, the Georgia Freight & Logistics Commission found that only 27% of cargo moving through Georgia each year is on rail. State transportation policy makers are determined to increase the role freight rail plays in Georgia to take pressure off the state’s highway network.
House Bill 820 now moves to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature.