5/27/04-A proposal that would have made it unlawful for a nonmoving train to obstruct any public street, road or other highway crossing-at-grade for more than 10 minutes has died.
HB384, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Mitchell, D-Mobile, remained in the House Public Safety Committee when the session ended May 17.
Under the bill, the train crew, yard crew or engine crew of a train blocking a crossing would be required to move the train.
Any railroad corporation or company that owns or operates a train violating this provision could be fined $1,000 for each violation.
Under current state law, the train crew, yard crew or engine crew of a railroad isn’t personally responsible or held guilty of violating any law regulating the occupying or blocking of any street, road or highway crossing-at-grade by trains or passenger or freight cars, if done pursuant to orders or instructions of the employer, officers or supervisory officials.

3/10/04-HB384 would make it unlawful for a nonmoving train to obstruct any public street, road or other highway crossing-at-grade for more than 10 minutes.
The bill would also require the train crew, yard crew or engine crew of a train blocking a crossing to move the train.
Any railroad corporation or company that owns or operates a train violating this provision could be fined $1,000 for each violation.
Under current state law, the train crew, yard crew or engine crew of a railroad isn’t personally responsible or held guilty of violating any law regulating the occupying or blocking of any street, road or highway crossing-at-grade by trains or passenger or freight cars, if done pursuant to orders or instructions of the employer, officers or supervisory officials.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Mitchell, D-Mobile, is in the House Public Safety Committee.
For House bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.