SB 1931 Summary

• Establishes the Safe Transportation of Railroad Employees Act to regulate carriers for hire that transport railroad employees in vehicles designed for 8 or fewer persons including the driver.

• Requires carriers to maintain driver qualification files including medical exams (every 2 years), driving record reviews (annually), violation documentation, applications, previous employer responses, and road test certificates.

• Mandates drivers undergo pre-employment alcohol and controlled substance testing with zero alcohol concentration and verified negative drug tests required; disqualifies drivers with two or more serious traffic violations within 3 years.

• Imposes operational requirements including maximum 10 hours driving after 8 hours off-duty, 15 hours combined on-duty/drive time limits, 70 hours in 8 consecutive days, and requires carriers to maintain 6-month records of driver duty times.

• Requires vehicle inspections annually, maintenance programs, written daily motor vehicle reports by drivers, $5,000,000 insurance per vehicle, and imposes penalties up to $1,000 per violation with enforcement by the Department of Public Safety; effective November 1, 2010.