ORS 824.040: Government acquisition of lines; permitted actions.

(1) The State of Oregon, a city, county, county service district, mass transit district organized under ORS 267.010 to 267.394, a transportation district organized under ORS 267.510 to 267.650 or a port may acquire, own, reconstruct, rehabilitate, operate or maintain a railroad line for the benefit and use of its inhabitants and for profit. (2) In the exercise of the power granted under subsection (1) of this section, this state, a city, county, county service district, mass transit district, transportation district or port may: (a) Acquire, by purchase or otherwise, own, reconstruct, rehabilitate or operate a railroad as described in subsection (1) of this section within and outside its boundaries and the boundaries of this state and running from the city, county, district or port to other points within and outside its boundaries and the boundaries of this state. (b) Acquire rights of way, easements or real property within and outside its boundaries and the boundaries of this state when necessary or convenient for the acquisition and operation of the railroad line. (c) Enter into contracts with any person for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, operation or maintenance of the railroad line by such person for the city, county, district or port. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as expanding or diminishing the power of eminent domain conferred upon public bodies, designated in subsection (1) of this section, by ORS 368.116 or any other provision of law. [Formerly 760.610]