Rio Grande Plan Amendments

HB 523 creates a 10-member "Rio Grande Financial Advisory Authority" working group to identify funding sources for the Rio Grande Plan, which aims to restore rail service to Salt Lake City's Rio Grande Depot and eliminate at-grade rail crossings. The working group, including state legislators, Salt Lake City representatives, transit officials, and community council members, will meet every two months from May 2025 to May 2026 to study implementation, eminent domain issues, and potential impacts. It must identify federal, state, and other funding options and make recommendations to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Salt Lake City by July 2026. The bill does not appropriate funds but requires the group to report to the Transportation Interim Committee and provide recommendations to relevant entities.