Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to railroad train length limits, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Labor and Business Relations (companion To Hf 2339 By Committee on Transportation) Committee
Topics:Transportation
Same legislation: HF 278, SF 2051, SF 2125, HF 2208, HF 2339
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 28, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 20, 2022
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 9, 2022
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2022 session adjourned on May 24, 2022, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. 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. If a company breaks this rule, they could face a fine between $500 and $5,000.1
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. Pursuant to Code section 327D.17, a violation of the bill results in a “schedule 4” penalty under Code section 327C.5, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 per violation. The bill makes organizational and conforming changes to Code section 327D.3.
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
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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.