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S.F. No. 2795 - Oil and Hazardous Materials Rail Corridor Grade Crossing Safety
 
Author: Senator Vicki Jensen
 
Prepared By: Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
 
Date: March 25, 2014



 

Section 1 directs the Commissioner of Transportation to establish three or four state rail safety inspector positions (current law requires one position) in MnDOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations.  The section authorizes the state rail safety inspectors to perform duties described in the federal State Rail Safety Participation program and to participate in any of the named federal disciplines.  The section provides that the inspector's authority to issue citations for violations must be delegated by the Federal Railroad Administration.  This section has an immediate effective date. 

Section 2 amends the section in which the commissioner annually assesses railroad companies for state rail inspector costs.  The section provides that state rail safety inspector program costs must be divided among carriers, based on route miles operated in Minnesota.  The section removes obsolete language.  This section has an immediate effective date.

Section 3 requires the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a study on highway-rail grade crossing improvement for oil and other hazardous materials transported by rail.  An interim update must be submitted by August 31, 2014, and a final report by October 31, 2014, to the legislative transportation committees.  This section has an immediate effective date.

Section 4 appropriates $5M from the general fund to the Commissioner of Transportation in fiscal year 2015 to improve safety at highway grade crossings along rail corridors where oil or other hazardous materials are transported.  The commissioner is directed to consult with railroads and road authorities in identifying locations and improvements.  This section is effective July 1, 2014.

 
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