(The Associated Press circulated the following on June 23.)
PHOENIX, Ariz. — A bill to require new state reviews of railroad projects is near the finish line at the Arizona Legislature.
The Senate approved the bill 18-6 on Monday. Expected House approval of changes made by the Senate would send the bill to Gov. Janet Napolitano.
The bill would cover a new switching yard planned by Union Pacific in southern Arizona.
Supporters contend that requirements for disclosures of planned rail projects and for holding a hearing on each project would allow communities to understand what could affect their areas.
Opponents say the bill would impose unnecessary regulation on an industry whose expansion would help the state’s economy. They also say it would have the state regulate an area reserved for the federal government.
Napolitano vetoed a similar bill last year.