SPONSOR: Dean
This bill specifies that it is unlawful for the directing officer or operator of any railroad train to prevent the use of any street for longer than 15 minutes, except by a moving train or one stopped because of an emergency or for repairs. A railroad found in violation is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,500 per violation. The bill also prohibits a railroad train greater than 8,500 feet in length from operating on a main track or branch line.
The bill requires that a railroad train or light engine operated in connection with carrying freight must have at least two qualified crew members. This provision does not apply to helper services, hostler services, or during the loading and unloading of freight. Anyone violating these provisions is subject to a fine, as specified in the bill. These provisions will become effective upon notification to the Revisor of Statutes by the Attorney General that a final judgment that affirms the validity of the Federal Railroad Administration's two-person crew has been entered.
Personally identifying information of train crew members and engineers contained in reports relating to railroad incidents involving motor vehicles and contained in communications with law enforcement must be redacted from any public reports and must be maintained by the law enforcement departments and any others in possession in a way that ensures the confidentiality of the train crew's and engineer's personally identifying information. Certain people and organizations specified in the bill can have access to unredacted copies of the reports and communications containing personally identifying information. If a crew member or engineer is found by a court to be not at fault in a railroad incident involving a motor vehicle, the person's personally identifying information must remain redacted from any public reports.
This bill is similar to HB 1117 (2025).
Statutes affected: