House Bill 1263 Summary

• Requires railroads and public entities to reasonably accommodate each other and issue necessary easements, work permits, and licenses within 60 days of receiving engineering documentation when public or railroad improvement projects conflict with each other's operations or facilities.

• Mandates that once a permit is issued, both parties must comply with its terms unless they provide at least 30 days advance notice of changes to timing, duration, or cancellation.

• Establishes that failure to issue permits within 60 days or failure to comply with permit terms constitutes prima facie evidence of unreasonable delay, allowing the aggrieved party to pursue injunctive relief.

• Requires circuit court initial hearings within 5 days of complaint filing and final decisions within 10 days, with courts authorized to issue permits, enforce terms, and award attorney's fees and litigation costs.

• Amends Section 65-1-69 to make railroad-highway crossing elimination projects subject to the permit and accommodation requirements established in this act.