HB 973
Create emergency vehicle access routes across railroads
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill creates designated access routes across railroad tracks for emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks. It requires railroad companies to ensure their equipment doesn't obstruct these routes and establishes a process for fines and penalties if obstructions occur. The bill also creates a fund to improve railroad grade crossings and clarifies when obstructions are permissible, such as during normal switching operations or due to unavoidable circumstances.
Key provisions
- Designates public streets as ‘designated access routes’ for emergency vehicles.
- Requires railroad companies to prevent their equipment from obstructing these routes.
- Establishes a system for fines and penalties for obstructing designated access routes.
- Creates a railroad grade crossing improvement fund to be used for crossing safety improvements.
- Specifies circumstances when railroad obstructions are permitted (e.g., mechanical failure, moving equipment).
- Requires railroad equipment to be moved after obstruction periods to allow passage.
- Defines ‘political subdivision’ for the purpose of establishing access routes.
- Creates a process for charging railroad companies with violations.
Who is affected
- Railroad companies
- Emergency service providers (firefighters, paramedics)
- County commissioners
- Municipal corporations
- Citizens residing near railroad crossings
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
III Joseph A. Miller
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