SB 253: Railroad and Transportation Amendments - Utah

Substitute #4 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

The bill establishes a new 'rail ombudsman' to mediate disputes between rail companies and local governments, transit districts, or property owners regarding safety, crossings, and livestock. The ombudsman will facilitate meetings to resolve issues before lawsuits are filed and will receive complaints from the public. Additionally, the bill sets specific dates for repealing existing livestock injury and fencing laws and defines the effective date of the new provisions.

Scope change

The bill introduces a new administrative role (rail ombudsman) to handle specific rail-related disputes, expanding the scope of dispute resolution mechanisms beyond direct litigation.

REQUIREMENT

Creation of a new 'rail ombudsman' role with duties to mediate disputes between rail companies and local entities or property owners.

Mandatory requirement for rail companies and other parties to attend mediation meetings and attempt resolution before filing court actions.

New notification requirements for rail companies before closing highways for maintenance or starting construction projects involving crossings or track changes.

TIMELINE

Repeal of existing laws regarding injury to livestock notice and fencing right-of-way gates, effective May 7, 2025.

Updated bill effective date and timestamp information.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to reflect a new version (Substitute #1) that removes specific repeal dates and effective date sections while retaining the core amendments to railroad and agriculture laws. The substantive policy changes regarding the Department of Agriculture's duties and the Rail Ombudsman's responsibilities remain identical to the previous version, indicating this is primarily a procedural revision rather than a change in law.

TIMELINE

Removed the specific repeal dates for Sections 56-1-12.1 and 56-1-13.1, which previously stated they would be repealed on May 7, 2025.

Removed the standalone Section 4 (Repealer) and Section 5 (Effective Date) that listed the repeal of various railroad-related statutes and set the bill's effective date to May 7, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Added a timestamp line ('2-13-25 3:04 PM') indicating the time of the latest amendment to the bill text.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies the duties of Utah's Department of Agriculture and Food, amends the rail ombudsman's responsibilities, and repeals several sections related to railroad livestock damage. The changes shift railroad-related livestock damage responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture to the rail ombudsman and compensation framework, while also expanding the rail ombudsman's authority to mediate disputes.

Scope change

The bill expands the rail ombudsman's role to include dispute resolution for railroad-related issues and removes the Department of Agriculture's authority over railroad livestock damage matters.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the Department of Agriculture's duty to administer railroad livestock damage requirements (Section 4-2-103 Subsection 1(r) deleted)

Added new duties for the rail ombudsman to facilitate meetings and mediate disputes between rail companies and local governments, transit districts, or property/livestock owners

Added requirements for rail companies to provide notice to the rail ombudsman before closing highways for maintenance or starting construction projects involving rail crossings

TIMELINE

Added repeal dates of May 7, 2025 for certain sections related to railroad livestock injury and fencing

REPEALS

Added new repeals for multiple sections in Title 72 related to railroad operations and compensation

ENFORCEMENT

Modified rail ombudsman duties to include forwarding complaints to appropriate agencies rather than handling them directly

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of SB 253 that modifies railroad-related provisions in Utah law. The changes primarily involve updating the Department of Agriculture's duties, adjusting the rail ombudsman's responsibilities, and repealing certain sections related to livestock injury and right-of-way infrastructure assessments. The bill also appears to have been reformatted with different numbering and layout compared to the previous version.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on railroad and transportation amendments, but the specific Utah Code sections affected have been updated in the REPEALS section to reflect the latest amendments.

TIMELINE

Removed the repeal date of May 7, 2025 for sections 56-1-12 and 56-1-13, which previously specified when certain railroad-related provisions would be repealed.

REQUIREMENT

Removed Section 2 which amended 56-1-39 regarding right of way infrastructure improvements, eliminating the assessment framework for railroads.

Removed Section 3 which contained repeal dates for Title 56 sections related to livestock injury and fencing.

Removed Section 4 which amended 72-18-102 regarding the rail ombudsman's duties.

Removed Section 5 which was a repealer section for multiple railroad-related statutes.

Removed Section 6 which established the effective date of May 7, 2025 for the bill.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill's formatting and numbering structure, with the new version using different line numbering and layout compared to the previous substitute.

Updated the Utah Code Sections Affected list to reflect current amendment statuses, particularly for sections 4-2-103, 63I-2-256, and 72-18-102.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision updates the House sponsor name, adds new code sections to be repealed, and removes a specific provision requiring the Department of Agriculture to administer railroad livestock damage requirements. The changes shift administrative responsibilities and clarify which laws are being repealed.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include additional repeal of Title 72 sections related to railroad operations, while the Department of Agriculture's specific railroad livestock damage duties were removed from its list of functions.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Department of Agriculture to administer railroad livestock damage provisions (previously Subsection 1(r)), indicating this responsibility is being handled elsewhere or repealed.

TIMELINE

Added a new highlighted provision stating the bill delays implementation of changes regarding right of way infrastructure improvements.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the list of repealed sections to include seven additional Title 72 sections (72-17-101 through 72-17-108) related to railroad operations, in addition to the previously listed Title 56 sections.

TECHNICAL

Changed the House Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Casey Snider' and updated the bill identifier to '2nd Sub. (Salmon) S.B. 253'.

Railroad and Transportation Amendments

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