Imposes restrictions on the placement of rolling stock stored on sidings near railroad crossings
HB 396 requires railroads in the state to maintain clear visibility at public grade crossings by keeping vegetation and debris removed for 250 feet in both directions from the crossing. It specifically mandates a 500-foot minimum distance between railroad crossings and stored rolling stock (equipment not in active freight use) on sidings, with exceptions for cars being loaded/unloaded or needing repairs. Railroads must also clear right-of-way vegetation to prevent fire hazards, and landowners can legally compel removal with double damages if railroads fail to comply. The bill directly affects railroad operators by setting clear safety standards for equipment placement near crossings.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 4, 2024
Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
House Committee Substitute
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify and standardize minimum clearance distances for railroad rolling stock at public grade crossings. The changes specify different distance requirements based on whether crossings have safety gates or barriers, and reorganize the text for better readability.
REQUIREMENT
Minimum clearance distances for stored railroad cars are now explicitly differentiated: 250 feet for crossings with gates or barriers and warning devices, versus 500 feet for all other crossings.
TECHNICAL
The bill text was restructured to use numbered subsections and lettered sub-items for clearer organization of requirements and exceptions.
Minor formatting updates including bill identifier changes from 'HB 396' to 'HCS HB 396' and updated Chief Clerk name from Dana Rademan Miller to Joseph Engler.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
2
Committee
5
Apr 23, 2025
Committee
Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Committee: Corrections and Public Institutions(H)
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
Referred: Transportation(H)
lower
Dec 4, 2024
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Tara Peters
RRepublican
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