January 13, 2025
Mr. Davidson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide States the authority to limit blocking grade rail crossings, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. State authority to limit blocking grade rail crossings
(a) General jurisdiction of Surface Transportation Board
Section 10501(c)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(C) State authority To limit blocking grade rail crossings
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this title does not preempt a State from the adoption or enactment of any law, regulation, order, or other requirement related to limiting the duration that a railroad carrier may block a grade rail crossing.
(b) Preemption
Section 20106(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(3) State authority To limit blocking grade rail crossings
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this title does not preempt a State from the adoption or enactment of any law, regulation, order, or other requirement related to limiting the duration that a railroad carrier may block a grade rail crossing.
(B) State defined
In this paragraph, the term State means a State of the United States and the District of Columbia.