SJR 31 Summary

• Governor is urged to create a 15-member Alabama Railroad Safety Commission to annually review railroad safety laws, regulations, and procedures and recommend necessary changes including innovative technology implementation.

• Approximately 700 fatalities occur annually from rail transportation operations in the United States, and railroad operations blocking highway and road crossings create critical safety issues for municipal and county governments.

• Commission membership includes heads or designees from Public Service Commission, Department of Transportation, Emergency Management Agency, Law Enforcement Agency, State Fire Marshal, and up to 6 law enforcement and firefighter representatives from areas with rail crossings.

• Commission membership also includes representatives from Alabama League of Municipalities, Association of County Commissioners of Alabama, and two Governor-appointed members from the railroad industry and Alabama Railway Association.

• State agencies are urged to cooperate fully with the commission in accomplishing its objectives, with a copy of the resolution to be presented to the Governor.