Bill > H3117

This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to approve permits for certain construction on land formerly owned or subject to an easement by a railroad company, specifically for land used as a railroad right-of-way or in connection with its operation. For properties last used by a railroad after January 1, 1960, the Secretary must hold a public hearing before granting consent to a permit, while properties last used before that date do not require a hearing. The Secretary's consent is not needed for permits to build structures on property outside of railroad easements that are not more than 3 miles long and are not related to railroad tracks or facilities for delivering rail passengers or freight. If the Secretary denies a permit, the landowner may seek damages from the Commonwealth, unless the land was purchased after January 1, 1976.