Railroad Safety Requirements

Concerning railroad safety, and, in connection therewith, requiring certain railroads to operate trains in a manner that minimizes the obstruction of emergency vehicles at highway-rail crossings, and, when necessary to allow an emergency vehicle to pass, separate a train; authorizing a crew member's designated union representative to request investigations of certain reported incidents; authorizing the public utilities commission to impose fines for certain violations; requiring fine revenue to be paid to the transit and rail division in the department of transportation for the purposes of maintaining and improving the safety of a passenger rail system; creating the office of rail safety; creating the community rail safety advisory committee; creating the rail industry safety advisory committee; and making an appropriation.