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HR 2438 105th Congress House

To encourage the establishment of appropriate trails on abandoned railroad rights-of-way, while ensuring the protection of certain reversionary property rights.

Introduced: September 11, 1997 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommemorationsCommerceEasements
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Federal preemptionGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment liabilityHistoric sitesHistoryIntergovernmental tax relationsLand transfersLawLeasesRailroad abandonmentsRight of propertyRight-of-waySports and RecreationState lawsTaxationTrailsTransportation and Public Works
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 30, 1997
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 11, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Sep 9, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Sep 9, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7011)
Sep 9, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 30, 1997

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the National Trails System Act to: (1) delete provisions prohibiting the interim use of any established railroad rights-of-way for historic or recreation trails under such Act from being treated as abandonment of the use of such rights-of-way for railroad purposes; and (2) authorize the Surface Transportation Board, if a State, political subdivision, or qualified private organization is prepared to assume full responsibility with respect to the portion of any railroad right-of-way donated, transferred, leased, or otherwise conveyed for use for establishment of such a trail, for its management, for any legal liability arising out of such right-of-way, and for the payment of any and all taxes that may be levied or assessed against such rights-of-way, to impose such terms and conditions as a requirement of any transfer or conveyance for interim use in furtherance of the national policy to preserve established railroad rights-of-way for future reactivation of rail service.

States that such Act shall not preempt State law with respect to the establishment of, and rights incident to, an easement, right-of-way, or other property interest in land.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2438: To encourage the establishment of appropriate trails on abandoned railroad rights-of-way, while ensuring the protection of certain reversionary property rights.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2438/
MLA
"H.R. 2438: To encourage the establishment of appropriate trails on abandoned railroad rights-of-way, while ensuring the protection of certain reversionary property rights.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2438/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2438, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2438/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2438: To encourage the establishment of appropriate trails on abandoned railroad rights-of-way, while ensuring the protection of certain reversionary property rights.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2438/)
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