The proposed bill establishes regulations regarding the length of trains operating within the state of Washington, addressing safety concerns associated with excessively long trains. It defines a "noncompliant" train as one exceeding 8,500 feet in length, which cannot operate in the state without approval from the utilities and transportation commission. The bill emphasizes the state's responsibility to ensure public safety and environmental protection, particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of trains measuring between 10,000 to 15,000 feet, and even exceeding 20,000 feet.

Penalties for violating the train length regulations are outlined, with fines starting at $25,000 for the first offense and escalating for subsequent violations. The commission is granted the authority to approve exceptions for trains up to 10,000 feet in length under specific conditions, including the assignment of additional crew members and the installation of safety equipment. The bill also includes provisions for the commission to impose fees to cover the costs of processing requests for excess length train operations and establishes that any invalid provision will not affect the remainder of the act.