Sam Graves (R-MO)
Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act
A Republican bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act establishes new requirements for the Surface Transportation Board and entities requesting interim recreational use of abandoned railway rights-of-way. It mandates that states, political subdivisions, or private organizations provide notice to property owners and local governments. These entities must also obtain signed approval from property owners and disclose the legal status of the occupancy. Additionally, the bill requires compensation for landowners to cover additional costs or lost development opportunities. The Act also establishes a process for cost-benefit analyses and the creation of an advisory committee.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates the creation of an online publicly accessible portal to disclose notice, approval, and legal status information.
- Scored +2
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill protects property owners from unexpected costs and lost development opportunities related to rail rights-of-way.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill provides specific protections and compensation requirements for landowners located along railway rights-of-way.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Protection for Landowners: The bill requires that any agreement for interim use includes compensation for property owners to cover additional costs attributed to the interim use, including costs from the movement of existing infrastructure and lost development opportunities (Section 2, subsection (2)(D)(i)).
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Transparency of Information: The Act requires the creation of an online publicly accessible portal to disclose information regarding notice, approvals, and legal status (Section 2, subsection (2)(E)).
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Public Input Opportunities: The Board must provide a public notice and comment period of at least 90 days before a certification is awarded (Section 2, subsection (3)(A)).
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Protection of Land Value and Utility: The Board is required to review easement widths and consider narrowing them if the full width is not necessary for potential future rail service (Section 2, subsection (3)(B)).
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Landowner Representation: An advisory committee will be established that includes 6 members selected from landowners along existing trails (Section 4, subsection (b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Financial Burdens on Trail Sponsors: Any costs incurred by the Board to carry out specific requirements, such as reviewing easement widths, must be borne by the State, political subdivision, or qualified private organization proposing the use (Section 2, subsection (4)).
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Financial Requirements for Approval: Entities seeking interim use must provide assurances to the Board that they have the financial resources to provide required compensation to property owners (Section 2, subsection (2)(D)(ii)).
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Uncompensated Committee Members: Members of the newly established advisory committee will not receive compensation from the Secretary and cannot receive Federal reimbursement for travel expenses (Section 4, subsection (c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the creation of an online publicly accessible portal to disclose notice, approval, and legal status information.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill protects property owners from unexpected costs and lost development opportunities related to rail rights-of-way. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides specific protections and compensation requirements for landowners located along railway rights-of-way.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill protects local economic impacts and development opportunities through required cost-benefit analyses and landowner compensation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes requirements to review easement widths to facilitate the potential return of active rail service.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill protects property owners from lost development opportunities when accommodating interim trail use.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Virginia FoxxRepublican · North Carolina
Harriet HagemanRepublican · Wyoming
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Robert OnderRepublican · Missouri
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri