Relates to annual professional performance reviews of teachers and principals; establishes an optional system of annual professional performance review plans; repeals provisions relating to streamlined removal procedures for teachers rated ineffective.
Enacts "Bryan Johnson's law"; includes prior convictions of operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as prior convictions of driving while intoxicated.
Requires every railroad corporation which operates any freight train within the state to submit quarterly reports to the department of transportation detailing such railroad corporation's inspections of any train yard and freight train operated in the state by such corporation; directs the department of transportation to conduct follow up inspections.
Requires the department of transportation to establish a central registry of reports, audits, plans and public inspections regarding freight rail operators, rail cars and freight lines or routes and rights of way.
Requires railroad corporations to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection when a freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling on tracks within the state including, but not be limited to, a review of tracks, safety equipment, including brakes, and train cars.
Requires railroad corporations to inform the division of homeland security and emergency services, department of environmental conservation and department of transportation about freight rail trains transporting hazardous materials prior to traveling on tracks within the state.
Prohibits freight trains traveling on a track within the state from exceeding eight thousand five hundred feet in length; directs the commissioner of transportation to promulgate rules and regulations to establish a waiver process to permit the operation of freight trains in excess of eight thousand five hundred feet for situations as deemed appropriate by such commissioner.
Requires the department of transportation to conduct a follow up inspection of any freight rail train or freight rail track audit within the state conducted by the federal railroad administration that identifies safety-related deficiencies or violations.
Requires the department of transportation to promulgate rules and regulations for the installation of heat safety gauges or hot bearing detectors on freight rail tracks in the state; requires the installation of positive train control systems on all freight trains operated within the state.
Establishes the freight rail safety task force to review the state of freight rail safety in the state and make policy and budgetary recommendations related thereto.
Clarifies certain provisions regarding conflicts of interest of certain public employees regarding the licensing of a participant in horse racing activities.