U.S. Rep. Blumenauer introduces short-line tax credit bill

A bill that aims to make the short-line tax credit permanent was introduced in the U.S. House late last week.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 510, which calls for permanently extending the Section 45G tax credit for short lines and regionals that invest in track maintenance and other railroad infrastructure.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, according to Congress.gov. A summary of the proposed legislation is pending.

First passed by Congress in 2004, the Section 45G tax credit has been extended numerous times over the years but has never been made permanent. It last expired Dec. 31, 2016, and was extended through 2017. Last year, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) began pushing for the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which called for amending the 45G tax code to remove the sunset provision and make the tax credit permanent.

The BRACE Act and its provision has been a key legislative priority for the association.

"Section 45G connects thousands of rail customers and communities to the national freight network. While highway infrastructure is maintained by federal and state governments, freight-rail infrastructure is maintained by private sector investments," ASLRRA officials say on the organization's website.