Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to close-clearance warning devices along railroad tracks
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 8, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 15, 2023
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, 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 owners must currently put up warning signs if objects like trees or buildings are too close to the tracks for workers riding on the side of a train. This new law requires those signs to be placed a reasonable distance away from the dangerous area instead of right at the spot. If a railroad company fails to do this, they can be fined $100 for each violation.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, the owner of a railroad track is required to place a warning device at a location where the close clearance between the track and a building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object is such that the building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object physically impedes a person who is lawfully riding the side of a train in the course of the person’s duties in service to a railroad company from clearing the building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object. The warning device must be placed in a location which provides adequate notice to a person riding the side of a train so that the person may prepare for the close clearance. This bill requires the warning device to also be placed a reasonable distance from the close-clearance area. By operation of law, a violation of the bill is a schedule “one” penalty, a fine of $100 per violation.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 15, 2023. On February 23, 2023 it recommended amendment and passage. [].
- Sen. Tom Shipley REmail
- Sen. T. Taylor
- Sen. Scott Webster REmail
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