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7
72-21-101
72-21-102
0
Commuter Rail Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Andrew Stoddard
Senate Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the electrification of a commuter rail system.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
requires the Department of Transportation to transition
commuter rail vehicles to
hybrid-electric operation;
requires installation of electrification infrastructure for a commuter rail system; and
establishes a deadline for completion.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
72-21-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
72-21-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section
72-21-101
is enacted to read:
21. Commuter Rail System Electrification
72-21-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Commuter rail" means the same as that term is defined in Section
63N-3-602
.
(2)
"Electrification infrastructure" means overhead catenary systems, substations, and
related equipment necessary to supply electric power to commuter rail vehicles.
(3)
"Hybrid-electric" means a commuter rail vehicle capable of operating using electric
power supplied by overhead catenary or third-rail infrastructure and onboard battery
storage, without reliance on diesel propulsion during normal operations.
Section 2. Section
72-21-102
is enacted to read:
72-21-102
. Commuter rail electrification -- Hybrid-electric transition.
(1)
The department shall lead and coordinate the statewide transition of commuter rail
service to hybrid-electric operation.
(2)
Before January 1, 2031, the department, in coordination with a large public transit
district, shall:
(a)
convert each existing commuter rail vehicle to hybrid-electric operation or replace
each existing commuter rail vehicle with a hybrid-electric commuter rail vehicle; and
(b)
install and operate the electrification infrastructure needed for hybrid-electric
commuter rail vehicle operation.
(3)
Beginning July 1, 2027, a large public transit district may not place a commuter rail
vehicle into service unless the vehicle is hybrid-electric.
(4)
The department may implement this section in phases by corridor or service segment to
ensure continuity of commuter rail service.
Section 3.
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on
May 6, 2026
.
2-11-26 10:38 AM