HCS HB 435 -- RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS

SPONSOR:  Crawford (Engler)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation and Motor Vehicles by a vote of 20 to 0.

This substitute requires operators of commercial motor vehicles,
other than those required to stop by law, to approach a railroad
grade crossing at a rate of speed which will permit the vehicle
to stop before reaching the nearest rail of a crossing and not
drive upon or over a crossing until due caution has been taken to
ascertain that the course is clear.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration established rules relating to disqualification of
commercial driver licenses for operators who fail properly to
negotiate railroad crossings.  Missouri's law does not provide an
offense for improperly negotiating a crossing.  The federal rule
requires all states to comply with the final rule by October 4,
2002.  Failure to comply will result in loss of federal highway
funds amounting to 5% for the first year of noncompliance and 10%
for each subsequent year of noncompliance.  The substitute will
put Missouri in compliance.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Engler; and
Department of Revenue.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am