The bill amends section 49-10.1-14 of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the authority of the public service commission regarding railroad safety regulations. It allows the commission to adopt and enforce safety rules that may be more stringent than federal regulations when necessary to address specific state or local safety hazards, provided these rules do not conflict with federal laws or unduly burden interstate commerce.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that exempt certain records and portions of meetings related to ongoing railroad investigations and surveillance activities conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration's state safety participation program. This exemption is defined under section 44-04-17.1, thereby ensuring that sensitive information related to these investigations is protected from public disclosure.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 49-10.1-14
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 49-10.1-14
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 49-10.1-14
Adopted by the Senate State and Local Government Committee: 49-10.1-14
Enrollment: 49-10.1-14
PREFILED: 49-10.1-14