A bill for an act requiring the installation and maintenance of train defect detectors on railway branch lines, and providing penalties.

SF 40 requires railroad companies operating on railway branch lines to install and maintain defect detectors - devices that detect brake or axle issues and alert train crews - on all such lines. For branch lines over 15 miles long, detectors must be placed every 15 miles. Companies face penalties of $500-$5,000 for first violations (or $5,000-$10,000 for repeat offenses) if detectors are missing or malfunctioning on required segments. The bill applies directly to railroad companies and holds them jointly liable for detector maintenance on shared lines.