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Senate committee adopts safety and timeline amendments for utility work in rail rights-of-way, tables debate on 'paralleling'
Summary
A Senate committee adopted amendments clarifying that utilities working in railroad rights-of-way must comply with applicable federal rail safety rules and extended notice windows to 60 days for crossings and 120 days for paralleling; a proposal to strike "paralleling" was tabled until Monday, February 16 for further review.
A Senate committee on an unnamed committee docket on a bill referenced in the transcript as "Bill 4 39" on Monday considered and adopted amendments aimed at clarifying safety obligations and giving railroads and utilities more time to coordinate work in railroad rights-of-way.
Senator (S1) told the committee that the amendment “clarifies that the utility that is conducting activities in a railway right of way must, pursuant to the act, comply with any applicable federal rail safety laws and rules and regulations.” The committee moved and adopted that amendment by voice vote.
The committee then considered an amendment to extend statutory notice windows. System adviser Nick (S6) explained the measure would require a 60-day notice for any crossing and a 120-day notice for any paralleling that a utility proposes, and would provide symmetric windows for railroads to notify utilities if proposed…
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