SJR74 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Commission on Railway Safety, Governor urged to establish

Summary

This resolution urges the Governor to establish an Alabama Commission on Railway Safety to review rail safety laws and procedures and recommend improvements.

What This Bill Does

If adopted, it would prompt the Governor to create a Commission on Railway Safety (up to 17 members) to review current railroad safety laws and procedures and recommend changes. The commission would consider using new technology, improving highway traffic flow and grade separation, closing redundant grade crossings, and increasing funding for the DOT's Section 130 program. It also specifies who should serve on the commission and calls on state agencies to cooperate with the effort.

Who It Affects

• General public and road users in Alabama, who would benefit from improved railway safety and smoother highway traffic and fewer blocked crossings.
• Railroad industry, law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, and state/local government agencies, which would participate in the commission and influence safety policy and funding decisions.

Key Provisions

• Urges the Governor to create the Alabama Commission on Railway Safety with up to 17 members to review current railroad safety laws, regulations, and procedures and recommend improvements.
• Commission duties include identifying and promoting improvements such as implementing innovative technology, improving highway traffic flow and grade separation, closing redundant grade crossings, and increasing funding for the Alabama Department of Transportation's Section 130 Program.
• Membership includes: PSC President or designee; DOT Director or designee; EMA Director or designee; ALEA Secretary or designee; State Fire Marshal or designee; up to two sworn law enforcement officers appointed by the Sheriff Association president; up to two sworn officers appointed by the Chiefs of Police president; up to two firefighters appointed by the Firefighters Association president; General Counsel for the League of Municipalities or designee; Executive Director of the Association of County Commissioners or designee; three Governor-appointed members (two from railroad industry and one from the Alabama Railway Association); and Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver-Alabama or designee.
• All state agencies are urged to cooperate with the commission, and a copy of the resolution must be presented to the Governor.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative