HB135 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kurt Wallace

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Railroads, easement provided to state, county, city, or town for construct, repair, maintenance purposes

Summary

The bill would require railroads operating in Alabama to grant government entities an easement for construction, repair, or maintenance of roads, bridges, or other transportation facilities at no cost when requested.

What This Bill Does

The act defines who is a governmental entity (state, counties, cities or towns) and who is a railroad (any railroad doing business in Alabama). It requires railroads to provide, upon request, an easement for the construction, repair, or maintenance of roads, bridges, or other transportation facilities within the government's jurisdiction. The extent and location of the easement would be determined by the railroad and the governmental entity, and the railroad would provide the easement at no cost to the government. It becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Railroads doing business in Alabama: must grant easements upon request, potentially affecting land use and future railroad projects.
• State and local governmental entities (state agencies, counties, cities, towns): would be able to acquire easements on railroad land for road/bridge/other transportation needs at no cost, with terms negotiated.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 defines Governmental Entity and Railroad.
• Section 2 requires railroad to provide an easement upon request for construction, repair, or maintenance of transportation facilities; extent/location to be agreed upon; easement provided at no cost to the governmental entity.
• Section 3 states the act becomes effective immediately upon governor's signature or approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Railroads