Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to railroad trains, including train length limits and the operation of trains by a crew of two or more persons, providing penalties, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions
Topics:Jobs & workersTransportation
Same legislation: HF 278, SF 2125, HF 2208, HF 2339, SF 2286
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 28, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 20, 2022
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 9, 2022
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2286
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 2286 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2286 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Railroad companies would be prohibited from running freight or work trains longer than 8,500 feet. These companies must also use a crew of at least two qualified employees to move freight trains, unless they are performing specific utility or service tasks. If a company breaks these rules, they will have to pay fines.1
Read the official explanation
This bill limits the length of any freight or work railroad train operated or permitted to be operated by a railway corporation to 8,500 feet.5, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 per violation.3. The bill requires a locomotive or railroad train operating on a railroad track in connection with the movement of freight to be operated by a crew consisting of at least two qualified railroad employees. This requirement does not apply to the operation of a locomotive or railroad train in connection with a hostler service or utility service. The bill provides that a railroad company found guilty of violating this requirement is subject to a penalty of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for a first offense, not less than $500 and not more than $5,000 for a second offense, and not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense. For purposes of determining whether a conviction is a first, second, or subsequent offense, the bill provides that only offenses committed within the three-year period prior to the most recent offense shall be considered. The bill takes effect days after enactment.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 20, 2022. On February 8, 2022 it recommended passage.
- Sen. Jesse Green REmail
- Sen. David D. Rowley REmail
- Sen. T. Taylor
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill limits the length of any freight or work rail train to 8,500 feet. The Iowa Department of Transportation would need to hire one additional full-time employee to enforce this rule, which is estimated to cost $105,000 per year from the state's funds. The bill is estimated to have a minimal correctional impact.3
Read the fiscal note
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.
Sources
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Human Rights, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Division
- Railroads · February 21, 2022 · $105,000
Family tree
89th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HF 2634 Relating to the operation of railroad trains by a crew of two or more persons, providing p…88th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- SF 184 Relating to railroad train length limits, and making penalties applicable90th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 361Nearly identical
- HF 495 Relating to railroad train length limits, and making penalties applicable91st General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
- HF 462 Relating to the operation of railroad trains by a crew of two or more persons, providing p…89th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageSimilar
Matched by wording or an identical title.