Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 2339 – Railroads (LSB2167HV)
Staff Contact: Danielle Beavers (515.725.1286) danielle.beavers@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 2339 adds requirements to Iowa Code section 327D.3 that would limit the length of
any freight or work rail train operated or permitted to be operated by a railway corporation to
8,500 feet. Violators of this requirement are guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a schedule
“four” penalty.
Background
Under current law, Iowa Code section 327D.3 outlines that every railway corporation is
responsible for furnishing suitable cars for the transportation of any and all kinds of freight upon
receiving a reasonable notice within a reasonable time from any and all persons who may apply
for such service. Every railway corporation is also responsible for providing facilities that are
suitable for the receiving and handling of freight with all reasonable dispatch. There are
currently no federal limits on the length of freight or work rail trains. There are also no states
that currently provide such limits on freight or work rail train lengths.
Assumptions
• The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) currently has one track inspector on staff,
who enforces the federal track standards.
• Train length enforcement falls under operating practices, a separate form of inspection from
the federal track standards.
• The DOT would request funding for an additional full-time equivalent (FTE) position that
would be assigned to the enforcement of operating practices. The new FTE position would
need to be certified as an inspector, holding appropriate rights to access property and
records of the private railroads to enforce statute.
Correctional Impact
House File 2389 is estimated to have a minimal correctional impact. A railway corporation
found guilty of violating the train length limit of 8,500 feet would be charged with a simple
misdemeanor and fined between $500 and $5,000 per violation. The minority impact under the
Bill is unknown.
Fiscal Impact
House File 2339 is estimated to require an additional FTE position to inspect trains and enforce
the new requirement at a cost of $105,000 per year. The DOT may request an increase in
appropriation for an additional FTE position.
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Sources
Department of Transportation
Department of Human Rights, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Division
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
February 21, 2022
Doc ID 1287263
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 327D.3