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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 77 By: Pederson
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to rights of way; defining term;
designating certain roads as critical emergency
routes; allowing political subdivisions to designate
critical emergency routes; creating misdemeanor
offense; establishing punishment for certain offense;
prohibiting certain acts by operators of trains;
requiring certain notification by operators of
trains; providing penalty and penalty amount ;
providing for codification; providing an effective
date; and declaring an e mergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1239 of Title 69, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. As used in this section, “critical emergency route” means a
road that is regularly traveled by first responders and other
emergency services personnel i n the course of their duties.
B. 1. All roads in this state that have been designated by the
Transportation Commission as part of the state highway system or by
the Federal Highway Administration as part of the National Highway
System shall be designated as critical emergency routes.
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2. Any political subdivision of this state may, by ordinance,
designate a road maintained by the county or municipality as a
critical emergency route if that road meets the definition of a
critical emergency route as provide d in subsection A of this
section.
C. Any person who shall willfully or know ingly obstruct or
damage a road designated as a critical emergency route shall, upon
conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to
exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
D. 1. Railroads or other persons, firms, or corporations
operating over tracks within this state shall not block vehicle
traffic at a railroad intersection with a road designated as a
critical emergency route for any amount of time.
2. If a train is stopped for an emergency condition including
an accident, derailment , critical mechanical failure, track or
bridge washout, storm, flood, or other emergency situation, and
blocks vehicle traffic at a railroad intersection with a road
designated as a critical emergency route, the railroad or other
person, firm, or corporation operating the train shall immediately
notify the Department of Public Safety of the emergency conditio n
and identify the intersection or intersections affected. The
Department of Public Safety shall then notify the county sheriff or
municipal police department in whose jurisdiction the affected
intersection is located.
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3. The Department of Public Safety shall have the authority to
issue a citation to any person, firm, or corpo ration that violates
the provisions of this subsection. Such person, firm, or
corporation shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 202 5.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preserv ation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-921 MSBB 12/19/2024 5:08:38 PM