Bill > SB715

This bill establishes the Cascadia High Speed Rail Task Force, a diverse group appointed by the Governor that includes representatives from metro areas, businesses, community organizations, education, transportation, environmental groups, and other stakeholders. The task force is charged with exploring high-speed rail investment in the Portland Metro area, developing goals and vision for potential rail corridors, identifying funding strategies, and engaging community partners to understand infrastructure impacts. The group will research economic development, land use, potential community and economic benefits of high-speed rail, and produce progress reports in January 2027 and 2028, with a final comprehensive report due by January 2029. Metro will provide staff support, and task force members will serve as volunteers without compensation. The task force will have the authority to conduct research, analyze findings, and potentially recommend legislative actions. Interestingly, the task force is set to be automatically repealed on January 2, 2029, after completing its reporting requirements, and will become effective 91 days after the 2025 legislative session adjourns. The bill aims to comprehensively study the feasibility and potential of high-speed rail in Oregon, with a focus on collaborative and community-centered planning.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB715