HB1520: Railroad safety; adds various requirements for railroad companies.

Legislative Summary

Railroad safety. Adds various requirements for railroad companies, including (i) prohibiting placing stationary cars or trains on its track within 1,500 feet on both sides of any crossing of a railroad with a highway; (ii) prohibiting trains that exceed 8,500 feet in length on any mainline or branch line; (iii) requiring a crew of at least two qualified individuals on all trains, locomotives, or light engines used in connection with moving freight; (iv) requiring warning signs or devices for certain track obstructions that could endanger a railroad company employee; and (v) requiring walkways adjacent to yard tracks where employees regularly perform switching service. The bill requires that fines for a violation of the train-length requirement be deposited in the Shortline Railway Preservation and Development Fund for railway safety projects.