HB278 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Railroads, employees, rail road employee safety, contract carrier transporting railroad employees, required to comply with certain safety standards for drivers employed by contract carrier

Summary

HB278 would require contract carriers that transport railroad employees to follow specific safety standards for drivers and vehicles in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It creates strict safety requirements for contract carriers that transport railroad operating employees, including hours-of-service limits, rest requirements, and an emergency extension for emergencies. It also requires driver qualification files, pre-employment and post-accident drug and alcohol testing, and penalties for violations. It mandates annual vehicle inspections, maintenance programs, required safety equipment, and specified insurance coverage, and it allows state agencies access to facilities and records. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Contract carriers that transport railroad employees (and their drivers) would have to comply with hours-of-service limits, maintenance, licensing, and insurance requirements, and could face penalties for violations.
• Railroad operating employees who are transported by contract carriers would benefit from stricter safety standards and safer transportation.

Key Provisions

• Defines contract carrier and on-duty time concepts and sets basic rules for rest and driving time, including a 10-hour drive limit after 8 hours of uninterrupted rest, a 15-hour limit on combined on-duty and drive time since last 8 hours off, and a 70-hour limit in seven days, with a 24-hour rest reset.
• Allows a possible extension of up to two additional hours in emergencies to complete a transportation assignment or reach a safe location.
• Requires six months of accurate time records for each driver and establishes what must be recorded (duty start, on-duty time, duty end, and hours driven).
• Establishes driver qualification requirements, including a medical certificate within the last two years, annual review of driving record, license copy, and an employment application, with required responses from previous employers.
• Imposes testing and discipline rules: disqualification for two or more serious traffic violations in three years; mandatory pre-employment alcohol and drug testing with zero-tolerance results; post-accident testing within specified timeframes; and five-year testing recordkeeping.
• Requires annual DOT-style vehicle inspections, weekly maintenance checks, and a maintenance program covering safety-related parts, with mandated equipment (tires with proper tread, spare tire, secured baggage area, functioning seatbelts, weather devices, heating/cooling, first aid kit, emergency kit).
• Vehicles must display an amber warning light on the rear roof, and maintenance records must be kept for specified periods.
• Sets minimum insurance requirements: $2,000,000 per person for bodily injury/death and up to $6,000,000 per vehicle, plus at least $1,000,000 uninsured/underinsured coverage per passenger.
• Penalties: civil penalties up to $2,000 per offense, with separate offenses and daily continuation treated as separate offenses; penalties determined by DPS/PSC based on factors like seriousness, prior offenses, and impact on business.
• Gives the Department of Public Safety and Public Service Commission access to facilities and records to ensure compliance and for accident investigations.
• Describes that the act provides minimum standards and does not override stricter laws or regulations, and notes it does not limit railroads' ability to contract with compliant carriers.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor 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