House approves railroad ombudsman, shifts $800,000 to UDOT to set up position

The Utah House on the floor adopted third substitute Senate Bill 235, a measure that creates a rail ombudsman within the state’s rail division and shifts roughly $800,000 from the rail transportation restricted account to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to stand up the position.

Sponsor Representative Chris Kristofferson said the office is intended to improve communication between citizens and rail operators, answering questions about crossings, fencing, animal strikes and timing on tracks. "An ombudsman would be the perfect way to get those answers," he said on the House floor, describing duties the position would perform and noting the bill also extends the effective dates of three related bills by one year so the new ombudsman can implement them.

Supporters argued the ombudsman would fill a gap in public-facing contact points with rail companies and help residents navigate policies and procedures. Kristofferson said the bill clarifies the amount that flows to transportation and specifically moves funds to enable UDOT to create the new post.

With summation waived, the House opened and closed the roll call; the presiding officer announced that substitute SB 235 passed 73 yes, 0 no. The measure will be sent back to the Senate for further consideration and the signature of the Senate president.

The next procedural step is transmittal to the Senate for signature; no amendments were adopted on the House floor during this consideration.