SF 501: Relating to required railway crossing signs, signals, and gate arms

What it does

15). In addition, every corporation constructing or operating a railway is required to make and construct at all points where such railway crosses any public road good, sufficient, and safe crossings and erect at such points, at a sufficient elevation from such road as to admit a free passage of vehicles of every kind, a sign with large and distinct letters placed thereon, to give notice of the proximity of the railway, and warn persons of the necessity of looking out for trains. This bill requires a railroad corporation constructing or operating a railway to erect at least two such signs, and install a sufficient number of gate arms, gate arm signals, and crossing signal lights designed to flash when a train approaches a crossing, to give notice of the proximity of the railway and warn persons of the necessity of looking out for trains.

Senate subcommittee · named January 10, 2024

• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Claire Celsi (D)
• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 2 for, 10 against

For: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; SMART-Transportation Division

Against: BNSF Railway Co.; Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad; Burlington Junction Railway; CN Rail; Davenport Industrial Railroad; Iowa Interstate Railroad; Iowa Restaurant Association; Patriot Rail (Keokuk Junction Railway); Soo Line Railroad Company d/b/a Candian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC); Union Pacific Railroad

In plain words

1. March 2, 2023Filed in the Senate
2. March 2, 2023Approved by the Senate committee
3. June 5, 2023Sent to the Senate Transportation committee
4. January 10, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Shipley, Celsi and Webster
5. January 18, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it
6. January 25, 2024Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2113