SF 512: Requiring the installation and maintenance of train defect detectors on railway branch lines, and providing penalties

What it does

This bill requires a railroad company to install and maintain at least one defect detector, as defined in the bill, on or along every railway branch line upon which the company’s trains operate. If the branch line is longer than miles, one defect detector is required at least every miles. Railroad companies that operate trains on the same railway may share such costs and are jointly and severally liable in any suit arising from the installation and maintenance of all defect detectors, or lack thereof, on or along the railway branch line.

Senate subcommittee · named January 10, 2024

• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Cindy Winckler (D) · cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 2 for, 8 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; 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, Webster and Winckler
5. January 25, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it