MI HB6282

Amends the State Transportation Preservation Act of 1976 to modify Section 10 regarding the divestiture and leasing of state-owned rail property.

Establishes a priority order for divestiture of four defined rail segments: Lenawee County system, Hillsdale County system, Vassar area system, and Ann Arbor and Northwest Michigan system, processed from smallest to largest.

Requires purchase agreements to include minimum conditions: purchase price at least equal to net liquidation value, maintenance of average service levels for 3 years, track maintenance at federal railway administration standards, and rate increases limited to Detroit consumer price index adjustments for 3 years.

If no acceptable purchase offers are received, property must be offered for 10-year leases in order to current operator, current shippers, governmental entities, and other railroad companies, with similar service and maintenance requirements.

Allows the department to preserve right-of-way for future rail use, develop as commuter trails, transfer to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for Michigan trailways, or lease for recreational trails with restrictions on use to ensure viability for future railroad transportation.