The proposed bill, known as the Railroad Safety Act, aims to enhance railroad safety regulations in Nebraska by amending existing laws and establishing new provisions. Key features of the bill include the prohibition of trains carrying hazardous substances from exceeding a length of 8,500 feet on main lines, the requirement for railroads to maintain operational wayside detector systems, and the obligation to report the status of these systems to the Public Service Commission annually. Additionally, the bill mandates that railroads provide training to local fire departments on handling incidents involving dangerous goods and hazardous substances.

The bill also introduces penalties for violations of safety requirements, with fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the severity and intent of the violation. It clarifies that the Public Service Commission will have jurisdiction over railroad safety under the new act, while also repealing certain outdated provisions related to blocked crossings. The act is set to become operative on July 1, 2026, and includes a repeal of the original section 75-109.01 and section 17-225 from the Revised Statutes of Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 75-109.01