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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 971 By: Weaver
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to railroads; defining terms;
requiring certain railroad trains to have two
certified crew members aboard; providing exce ptions;
providing penalty and penalty amount; providing for
codification; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency.
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 104 of Title 66, unles s there is
created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. As used in this section:
1. “Certified crew member” means an employee involved in the
operation of a railroa d train, including a certified engineer or a
certified conductor, and not including a hostler service employee,
utility employee, or contractor;
2. “Helper service” means the use of a locomotive or group of
locomotives to assist another railroad train tha t is experiencing
mechanical failure or lacks the power to traverse difficult terrain,
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including the travel to or from the location where the assistance is
provided; and
3. “Hostler service” means the movement of locomotives that are
not attached to rail cars within a rail yard.
B. Any person, firm, or corporation operating a railroad train
in connection with carrying freight in this state shall have at
least two certified crew members aboard the railroad train while the
railroad train is in motion.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
1. Trains that are used pri marily for the purpose of
transporting people from one location to another or are used for
tourism purposes such as scenic, historic, or excursion rides;
2. A locomotive or grou p or locomotives that are traveling no
faster than thirty (30) miles per hour outside of a rail yard and
are attached only to a caboose;
3. Helper service;
4. Hostler service; and
5. The movement of a train for the purpose of loading or
unloading freight, provided that the train is moving no faster than
ten (10) miles per hour.
D. The Department of Public Safety shall have the authority to
issue a citation to any person, firm, or corporation that violates
the provisions of this section. Such person, fi rm, or corporation
shall be subject to a fine:
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1. Not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more
than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for a first offense;
2. More than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) but not to exceed
Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for a second offense committed
within three (3) years; or
3. More than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) but not to
exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for a third or subsequent
offense committed within three (3) years.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take e ffect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-811 MSBB 1/16/2025 1:25:26 PM