The Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act modifies how states, local governments, and private organizations can convert abandoned railroad corridors into recreational trails. The bill requires trail sponsors to obtain written approval from affected property owners before using the right-of-way, disclose the legal status of the occupancy, and compensate landowners at fair market value for any costs related to the interim trail use, including infrastructure relocation and lost development opportunities. The Surface Transportation Board must conduct a comprehensive 90-day public review and cost-benefit analysis examining impacts on safety, health, privacy, and local economies before approving any trails-to-trails project, with costs of the analysis borne by the trail sponsor rather than the federal government. The bill establishes an 11-member advisory committee—composed of six affected landowners, three rail carrier representatives, and two trail sponsors—to develop maintenance standards and report recommendations to Congress within two years. No new federal funding is created; instead, trail sponsors must demonstrate they have the financial resources to cover all associated costs and perpetual maintenance obligations.
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