This bill establishes a new section, 351.38, in the Florida Statutes focused on enhancing safety at public railroad-highway grade crossings through advanced detection and monitoring systems. The legislation outlines the intent of the Florida Legislature to improve safety for pedestrians, motorists, and railway workers by studying technologies such as sensors and high-resolution cameras. It mandates the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive statewide study to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, costs, and implementation considerations of these systems before any statewide requirements for their deployment are considered.

The study will analyze various aspects, including available technologies, safety outcomes, operational considerations, costs, funding mechanisms, and the roles of different stakeholders in implementing these systems. The Department of Transportation is authorized to consult with railroad owners, local governments, transportation safety experts, and federal agencies during the study. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is required to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2026, although it cannot recommend mandatory installations or upgrades of railroad crossings. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.