SB 203 (2009): establishing a committee to study liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails.

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@misc{bill-2009-sb203, title = {SB 203 (2009): establishing a committee to study liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/sb203}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 203 (2009)

establishing a committee to study liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2009-2010
  • House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
  • Chapter law: 309

The Story

It was introduced on March 4, 2009 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2009. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes. The committee's amendment (1179s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 8, 2009, changing the text of the bill. On April 8, 2009 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on April 9, 2009 and was referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 30, 2009. The committee held work sessions on May 13, 2009, May 21, 2009 and May 27, 2009. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2009 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it (amendment 1935h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 12–3. The committee's amendment (1935h) was adopted on a division vote 233–138 on June 3, 2009, changing the text of the bill. On June 3, 2009 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 246–127. On June 10, 2009 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Reynolds. On June 10, 2009 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for Committee of Conference (Rep Spang)” on a voice vote. A committee of conference met on June 16, 2009 and June 17, 2009 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The bill was enrolled on June 24, 2009 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2348) was adopted to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 31, 2009, making it Chapter 309 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • March 24, 2009, 3:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 103
  • April 30, 2009, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305-307
  • May 13, 2009, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305
  • May 21, 2009, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305
  • May 27, 2009, 8:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305
  • May 27, 2009, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305
  • June 16, 2009, 4:00 PM: committee of conference, SH 103
  • June 17, 2009, 1:00 PM: committee of conference, SH 103

Votes

  • April 8, 2009, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment {1179s} — voice vote, passed
  • June 3, 2009, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 233, nays 138, passed
  • June 3, 2009, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1935h — yeas 246, nays 127, passed
  • June 10, 2009, Senate: Nonconcur with House Amendment {1935h}; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
  • June 10, 2009, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for Committee of Conference (Rep Spang) — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • March 4, 2009: Introduced and Referred to Judiciary; SJ6, Pg.85
  • March 24, 2009: Hearing; March 24, 2009, Room 103, State House, 3:00 p.m.; SC15
  • April 2, 2009: Committee Report; Ought to Pass with Amendment{1179s} [04/08/09]; SC18, Pgs.28-29
  • April 8, 2009: Committee Amendment {1179s}, AA, VV
  • April 8, 2009: Ought to Pass with Amendment {1179s}, MA, VV; OT3rdg
  • April 8, 2009: Passed By Third Reading Resolution
  • April 9, 2009: Introduced and Referred to Resources, Recreation and Development
  • April 30, 2009: Public Hearing: 4/30/2009 2:30 PM LOB 305-307
  • May 13, 2009: Subcommittee Work Session: 5/13/2009 1:00 PM LOB 305
  • May 21, 2009: Subcommittee Work Session: 5/21/2009 1:00 PM LOB 305
  • May 27, 2009: Subcommittee Work Session: 5/27/2009 8:30 AM LOB 305
  • May 27, 2009: Executive Session: 5/27/2009 10:00 AM LOB 305
  • May 27, 2009: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with AM #1935h for June 3 RC (vote 12-3)
  • May 27, 2009: Proposed Majority Committee Amendment #1935h
  • May 27, 2009: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • June 3, 2009: Majority Committee Amendment #1935h Adopted, DIV 233-138
  • June 3, 2009: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1935h: MA DIV 246-127
  • June 10, 2009: Sen. Reynolds Moved Nonconcur with House Amendment {1935h}; Requests C of C, MA, VV
  • June 10, 2009: President Appoints: Senators Reynolds, Letourneau and Houde
  • June 10, 2009: House Accedes to Senate Request for Committee of Conference (Rep Spang): MA VV
  • June 10, 2009: Speaker Appoints: Reps Merry, Tupper, L.Weber and D.Russell
  • June 16, 2009: Committee of Conference Meeting: 6/16/2009 4:00 PM, Room 103, SH
  • June 16, 2009: C of C Meeting; June 16, 2009, Room 103, State House, 4:00 PM
  • June 17, 2009: C of C Meeting; June 17, 2009, Room 103, State House, 1:00 PM
  • June 18, 2009: Conference Committee Report #2258, House Amendment + New Amendment, Filed
  • June 24, 2009: Conference Committee Report #2258 Adopted, VV
  • June 24, 2009: Conference Committee Report (2258); Adopted, VV
  • June 24, 2009: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2348 (New Title) Adopted
  • June 24, 2009: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2348 (New Title) Adopted
  • June 24, 2009: Enrolled
  • June 24, 2009: Enrolled
  • July 31, 2009: Signed by the Governor on 07/31/2009; Effective 07/31/2009; Chapter 0309

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