SF 241 (LSB 1909XS (2) 90)

SENATE FILE 241

BY  SHIPLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to close-clearance warning devices along railroad tracks.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 327F.13, subsection 2, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The warning device shall be placed in a location which that is a reasonable distance from the close-clearance area and that provides adequate notice to a person riding the side of a train so that the person may prepare for the close clearance. Any signs posted shall not be a danger to other persons working on the property.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, the owner of a railroad track is required to place a warning device at a location where the close clearance between the track and a building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object is such that the building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object physically impedes a person who is lawfully riding the side of a train in the course of the person’s duties in service to a railroad company from clearing the building, machinery, trees, brush, or other object. The warning device must be placed in a location which provides adequate notice to a person riding the side of a train so that the person may prepare for the close clearance. This bill requires the warning device to also be placed a reasonable distance from the close-clearance area.
   By operation of law, a violation of the bill is a schedule “one” penalty, a fine of $100 per violation.