SB 143

Abstract

Railroad safety; civil penalties. Requires a crew of at least two qualified individuals on all trains, locomotives, or light engines used in connection with moving freight. This bill is identical to HB 385.

Railroad safety; civil penalties. Addsvarious requirements for railroad companies, including (i) prohibiting placing stationary cars or trains on its track within 1,500 feeton both sides of any crossing of a railroad with a highway; (ii)prohibiting trains that exceed 8,500 feet in length on any mainlineor branch line; (iii) requiring a crew of at least two qualifiedindividuals on all trains, locomotives, or light engines used inconnection with moving freight; (iv) requiring warning signs or devices for certain track obstructions that could endanger a railroad companyemployee; and (v) requiring walkways adjacent to yard tracks whereemployees regularly perform switching service. The bill requiresthat fines for a violation of the train-length requirement be depositedin the Shortline Railway Preservation and Development Fund for railwaysafety projects.