Bill Details
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This bill would give states, and the District of Columbia, the power to set their own rules on how long a railroad can block a road crossing. In simple terms, it says federal law would not stop states from making laws or orders that limit the amount of time trains can sit across crossings and hold up traffic. The goal is to help communities deal with blocked crossings that can delay drivers, pedestrians, school buses, emergency vehicles, and local traffic.
- States could pass laws or issue rules that limit how long a train may block a grade crossing.
- Federal railroad and transportation law would not override those state rules on this issue.
- The bill also makes clear that the District of Columbia is included in the term “State” for this purpose.
- The short title of the bill is the “Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025.”
Official Summaries
Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025
This bill provides states with the authority to adopt or enact any law, regulation, order, or other requirement limiting the duration that a railroad carrier may block a grade rail crossing. Specifically, this bill states that federal transportation laws do not preempt a state from adopting or enacting these limits.
As background, state and federal courts have generally found that state laws regarding obstructed crossings are preempted by one or more federal laws, thereby rendering the state laws unenforceable.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 341 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 341
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide States the authority
to limit blocking grade rail crossings, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 13, 2025
Mr. Davidson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide States the authority
to limit blocking grade rail crossings, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
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.''.
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