HB 525 Summary: Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act

• Railroad companies operating high-speed passenger rail systems (exceeding 80 mph, not in operation before January 1, 2017) shall be solely responsible for all maintenance costs of safety equipment at public railroad-highway grade crossings and pedestrian grade crossings.

• Railroad companies shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with improvements and upgrades at public railroad-highway grade crossings and pedestrian grade crossings related to system operation and safety, except where the state uses federal funds to eliminate hazards.

• Governmental entities are not responsible for any associated costs unless they expressly consent in writing; existing contractual agreements between railroad companies and governmental entities remain unaffected.

• Applies to any railroad company operating a high-speed passenger rail system and any railroad company allowing such a system to operate on or within its rail corridor.

• Effective date: July 1, 2018.