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Crapo, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Modernize Short Line and Regional Railroad Tax Credit

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand the Short Line Railroad Tax Credit that would help equip operators with essential resources to provide regional communities with safe, reliable rail infrastructure.

“Short line railroads are critical infrastructure that connect Idaho’s farmers, ranchers and manufacturers to national and global markets, supporting local jobs and driving economic growth in rural Idaho,” said Crapo.  “Modernizing the Short Line Railroad Tax Credit will provide railroads with necessary certainty and resources to invest in safety, efficiency and long-term infrastructure improvements in our regional areas.” 

“Short line and regional railroads are not just a mode of transportation, but they are also a vital economic tool that connects local businesses with Oregonians and other people all across the nation,” said Wyden.  “For years, Senator Crapo and I worked together to make railroad tax credits permanent, and the next step is to make these tax credits better for our operators.  Our bipartisan bill will provide railroads with much needed resources to make vital upgrades that will bring our rural, suburban and urban communities and their local economies together.”

The legislation (S. 1532) would:

  • Increase the per mile credit cap from $3,500 to $6,100;
  • Index the per mile credit cap for inflation; and
  • Update the track eligible for the credit to match modern maps.

Crapo and Wyden have a proven track record of supporting short line railroad service, having previously secured a permanent extension of the tax credit for short line track maintenance, which had previously been a temporary credit, hampering long-term investments. 

Find the legislative text here.

Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) and Mike Thompson (D-California) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 516) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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