House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB86 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Establishing the intercity passenger rail service program and making transfers annually to the passenger rail service revolving fund.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 6, 2025
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 86. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Deborah Fischer Stout, Norther Flyer Alliance, spoke in strong support of the bill. This is a critical piece of legislation that will generate jobs and also will help Wichita State University recruit out-of-state students. Construction costs continue to rise so waiting to fund this will only increase costs. Ms. Fischer Stout responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Cory Davis, Director of the Multimodal Transportation and Innovation Division of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), testified in favor of the bill. KDOT is committed to the expansion of passenger rail services in Kansas and have successfully completed step one of the Corridor ID program and have worked with Oklahoma, Texas and Amtrak to advance toward the project's next steps. (Attachment 3)
Zack Pistora, Director of the Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club, stood in favor of the bill. Intercity rail has environmental benefits of saving energy, using less land, cutting noise and reducing pollution. Projects like this also help serve historically disadvantaged communities with transportation options and would further connect our communities for both residents and visitors. (Attachment 4)
Randy Frazer, City Manager for the City of Arkansas City, spoke in favor of the bill. Ark City would benefit greatly from the extension of the Heartland Flyer. The city is currently building the Etzanoa Visitor Center, which will draw visitors, researchers and students from around the world. The rail line would improve access and reduce highway congestion. Mr. Frazer responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 5)
Ty Dragoo, Director and Chairman of SMART, testified in support of the bill. A new rail corridor would dramatically improve our state's long-term competitiveness and create construction and operating jobs. Rail is also important for hunters because they can't take weapons on airplanes and for those who need more space to move around including those with disabilities. Mr. Dragoo responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 6)
Mike Stieben, Commissioner, County of Leavenworth, stood as a proponent of the bill. This would create an opportunity to connect with Oklahoma and Texas for the first time since 1979. In order to build a strong economy we must have connectivity and this will help serve as a lifeline to our rural communities. (Attachment 7)
Mark Corriston, Northern Flyer Alliance, spoke as a proponent of the bill. There is widespread regional support for this effort and there is a need for this funding this year so the federal and state partnership, including Oklahoma, maintains its place in the pipeline. Also local communities that anticipate the new rail service have active local planning underway. Mr. Corriston responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 8)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Senator Brenda Dietrich (Attachment 9)
Carolyn McGinn, McGinn's Grapes and Grains (Attachment 10)
Matthew Allen, City of Garden City (Attachment 11)
John Anderson, Private Citizen (Attachment 12)
Holly and Mary Blythe, Private Citizens (Attachment 13)
Thomas Brown, Mayor, City of McPherson (Attachment 14)
Julia Corriston, Private Citizen (Attachment 15)
Neil and Jessica Corriston, Private Citizens (Attachment 16)
William Corriston, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)
Janis Dow, Private Citizen (Attachment 18)
Bradley Harris, City of North Newton (Attachment 19)
Gary Janzen, City of Wichita (Attachment 20)
Homer Nicholson, City of Ponca City, Oklahoma (Attachment 21)
Morgan and William Nicks, Private Citizens (Attachment 22)
Chad Parasa, WAMPO (Attachment 23)
Lea and Will Petrie, Private Citizens (Attachment 24)
Jeff Reinert, City of Dodge City (Attachment 25)
Martin Rivarola, MARC (Attachment 26)
William Roush, Private Citizen (Attachment 27)
Southwest Kansas Coalition (Attachment 28)
Derek Sparks, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber (Attachment 29)
Wendi Stark, League of Kansas Municipalities (Attachment 30)
Michael Todd, Private Citizen (Attachment 31)
Dan Wancura, Private Citizen (Attachment 32)
Josh White, American Planning Association (Attachment 33)
Karen Hiller, City of Topeka (Attachment 34)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 86.
