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82nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2024 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
Senate Bill 1572
Ordered by the Senate February 26
Including Senate Amendments dated February 26
Sponsored by Senators WOODS, MANNING JR, Representatives MANNIX, ANDERSEN, EVANS, NERON; Senators
CAMPOS, DEMBROW, FREDERICK, GORSEK, JAMA, MEEK, PATTERSON, THATCHER, Representatives
BOWMAN, CHAICHI, CRAMER, DEXTER, GAMBA, LEWIS, NELSON, NGUYEN H, NOSSE, PHAM H,
PHAM K, REYNOLDS, WALTERS (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act requires ODOT to study extending the WES commuter rail line to Salem.
The Act creates an advisory committee to aid ODOT in its study. Requires ODOT to partner
with the advisory committee as part of the process of conducting the study. Tells ODOT to
use an IGA with the MWVCOG to provide staff support for the advisory committee. Tells
ODOT to also conduct gap analysis of the data from an earlier ODOT rail study. ODOT must
submit a report no later than December 1, 2024. Gives money to ODOT to pay for the costs
of the study. The Act takes effect as soon as it is passed. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.2).
[Digest: The Act requires ODOT to study extending the WES commuter rail line to Salem. The
Act creates an advisory committee to aid ODOT in its study. Requires ODOT to consult with the ad-
visory committee as part of the process of conducting the study.ODOT must submit a report no later
than December 1, 2024. Gives money to ODOT to pay for the costs of the study. The Act takes effect
as soon as it is passed. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.4).]
Requires the Department of Transportation, [after consulting] in partnership with the Westside
Express Advisory Committee, to study extending the Westside Express Service commuter line to
Salem. Directs the department to delegate, through an intergovernmental agreement, with
the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments performance of administrative functions
of the advisory committee. Directs the department, as part of the study, to conduct a gap
analysis of the data components of the 2010 Rail Study undertaken by the department. Directs
the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to
transportation not later than December 1, 2024.
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation for the study.
Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to a study on extending the Westside Express Service commuter line to Salem; and de-
claring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Westside
Express Advisory Committee described in this section, shall study issues related to extending
the Westside Express Service commuter line to Salem, including increasing the frequency
and hours of service. The study must include advisory committee recommendations regard-
ing:
(a) The governance structure of an extended Westside Express Service commuter line;
(b) Ownership and operations of an extended Westside Express Service commuter line,
including maintenance services;
(c) A finance plan and recommended funding sources;
(d) Integration of existing transit services throughout the proposed Westside Express
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
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Service extension alignment; and
(e) An update on progress regarding consent or commitment from Portland and Western
Railroad and BNSF Railway company and an understanding of additional information neces-
sary to gain agreement to utilize the track for purposes of a Westside Express Service ex-
tension.
(2) To aid the department in conducting the study, the department shall appoint the
Westside Express Advisory Committee, consisting of 18 members as follows:
(a) One member who represents the Aurora city council;
(b) One member who represents the Donald city council;
(c) One member who represents the Hubbard city council;
(d) One member who represents the Keizer city council;
(e) One member who represents the Salem city council;
(f) One member who represents the Wilsonville city council;
(g) One member who represents the Woodburn city council;
(h) One member who represents the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments;
(i) One member who represents the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of
Oregon;
(j) One member who represents the Metro Council of the Portland area metropolitan
servicedistrict;
(k) One member who represents the Salem Area Mass Transit District;
(L) One member who represents South Metro Area Regional Transit;
(m) One member who represents Woodburn Transit Service;
(n) One member who represents Yamhill County Transit;
(o) One member who represents Portland and Western Railroad;
(p) One member who represents BNSF Railway company;
(q) One member who represents a statewide rail passenger advocacy association; and
(r) One member who represents a statewide land use conservation advocacy association.
(3) The department shall delegate, through an intergovernmental agreement, with the
Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments performance of administrative functions of
the advisory committee. The functions may include, but are not limited to, coordinating,
convening and recording the meetings of the advisory committee.
(4) The advisory committee shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson and
one member to serve as vice chairperson.
(5) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the department shall make an appointment to
become immediately effective.
(6) A majority of the members of the advisory committee constitutes a quorum for the
transaction of business.
(7) The department shall identify opportunities to apply for federal funding to supplement
state funds for the study and any eligible subsequent corridor identification and development
efforts.
(8) As part of the study required under this section, the department shall conduct a gap
analysis of the data components of the 2010 Department of Transportation Rail Study.
(9) The department shall submit a report on the results of the study described in this
section in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 to the interim committees of the Legislative
Assembly related to transportation no later than December 1, 2024. The report must include
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the results of the gap analysis conducted under this section and may include recommen-
dations for legislation.
SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2024 Act is repealed on January 2, 2025.
SECTION 3.In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the Department of Transportation, for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, out of the
General Fund, the amount of $250,000, which may be expended for the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of section 1 of this 2024 Act.
SECTION 4.This 2024 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2024 Act takes effect
on its passage.
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