SJR38 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Commission on Railway Safety, Governor urged to establish
Summary: Senate Joint Resolution SJR38 urges the Governor to establish the Alabama Commission on Railway Safety to study and improve railway safety in the state.
What This Bill Does
It asks the Governor to form a Commission on Railway Safety with up to 17 members to review current railroad safety laws, regulations, and procedures. The commission would identify risks, study rail and highway operations, and recommend improvements, including new technology, better traffic flow, more grade separations, closing unnecessary crossings, and increasing funding for the DOT's Section 130 program. The resolution also requires all state agencies to cooperate with the commission and directs that a copy be provided to the Governor.

Who It Affects
State and local government and public safety officials who would serve on the commission or coordinate and cooperate with it (e.g., PSC, DOT, EMA, ALEA, Fire Marshal, sheriffs, police chiefs, fire departments, municipal and county officials).
Railroad industry stakeholders and related safety groups (two Governor-appointed railroad industry representatives and one from the Alabama Railway Association, plus Operation Lifesaver-Alabama) and, by extension, the general public who would benefit from enhanced railway safety.

Key Provisions
Urges the Governor to create the Alabama Commission on Railway Safety, up to 17 members, to review current railroad safety laws, regulations, and procedures and recommend improvements.
Provisions for commission goals: implement innovative technology, improve highway traffic flow and grade separation, close redundant grade crossings, and increase funding for the Alabama Department of Transportation's Section 130 Program.
Detailed membership makeup: President of the Public Service Commission; Director of the Department of Transportation; Director of the Emergency Management Agency; Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; State Fire Marshal; up to two sworn law enforcement officers appointed by the Sheriff’s Association; up to two sworn officers appointed by the Chiefs of Police Association; up to two firefighters appointed by the Firefighters Association; General Counsel of the League of Municipalities; Executive Director of the Association of County Commissioners; three Governor-appointed members (two from railroad industry, one from Alabama Railway Association); Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver-Alabama.
All state agencies are urged to cooperate with the commission.
A copy of the resolution should 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