US HB4924

Requires states, political subdivisions, or private organizations seeking interim recreational use of abandoned railway rights-of-way to notify affected property owners and local governments, and obtain signed approval from landowners within 30 days of intervening in abandonment proceedings

Mandates compensation to landowners at minimum fair market value for property impacts, including costs from infrastructure relocation and lost development opportunities, with trail sponsors required to demonstrate financial capacity to pay

Requires the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a 90-day public comment period and cost-benefit analysis examining impacts on safety, health, security, privacy, biosecurity, food security, and economic effects before approving interim trail use

Establishes an 11-member advisory committee appointed by the Secretary of the Interior—composed of 6 landowners, 3 rail carrier representatives, and 2 trail sponsors—to recommend maintenance requirements, with a report due within 2 years

Directs the Surface Transportation Board to periodically review rails-to-trails corridors and consider narrowing easement widths when not necessary for potential return to rail service