Provides that the Commissioner of Transportation may administer a Georgia Freight Railroad Program to enhance the state|| Provides that the Commissioner of Transportation may administer a Georgia Freight Railroad Program to enhance the state's investment in freight rail projects.

The purpose of the Georgia Freight Rail program is to increase safety and reduce the number of trucks on state maintained highways, while providing Georgia businesses safe access to national and international markets via the state's rail networks, including state owned railroad facilities and ports. The Georgia Freight Railroad Program is designed to enhance the state's investment in eligible freight rail projects and is not intended to supplant current funding. The Program will be administered, subject to appropriations, at the discretion of the commissioner, in order to enhance the state's investment in freight rail projects for public benefit and to support a safe and balanced transportation system for the state. The Georgia Freight Railroad Program will compose of three subprograms: The Rail Enhancement Plan will acquire, lease, or improve railways or railroad equipment; The Rail Preservation Plan will acquire, lease, or improve short line railways or assist other appropriate entities to acquire, lease, or improve short line railways; and The Rail Industrial Plan will build, construct, restructure, or improve industrial access to railroad tracks and related facilities.

Carries-over to next session.

01/26/2017 Introduced.
01/30/2017 Read and referred to Senate Committee on Transportation.
02/07/2017 Substitute reported favorably by Committee.
02/08/2017 Read second time in Senate.
02/15/2017 Third reading. Adopted in Senate.
02/16/2017 First reading in House.
02/17/2017 Second reading in House.