TX
Texas House Bill HB4207

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4207

Filed
3/10/25  
Out of House Committee
5/9/25  
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to obstructing a railroad crossing and the liability of a railway company for such an obstruction; providing a civil penalty.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4207 will impact the Texas Transportation Code by introducing specific regulations pertaining to the obstruction of railroad crossings. It creates a mechanism for local authorities to issue written notices of violations to railway companies and empowers district or county attorneys to initiate legal action to collect penalties. The financial ramifications for railway companies could serve to incentivize shorter delays and heightened responsiveness towards their operations, fundamentally altering how rail traffic is managed in relation to public roadways.

Summary

House Bill 4207 aims to address the issue of railroad crossings by imposing restrictions on how long a train may obstruct public streets or highways. Specifically, the bill prohibits any train from blocking a crossing for more than 30 minutes without facing consequences. In the event of a violation, railway companies may incur civil penalties that could total up to $10,000 for each hour of obstruction. This legislation seeks to improve public safety, particularly regarding the timely passage of emergency services across railroad crossings.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 4207 appears to be positive among proponents who argue that the bill represents a necessary step for enhancing public safety and reducing dangerous delays caused by obstructed crossings. However, there are concerns from critics regarding the burden that such penalties could impose on railway companies and the potential for legal disputes arising from individual claims related to emergency service delays.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between regulating railway operations and ensuring responsible rail service delivery without excessive financial penalties that might affect overall service. There are also discussions about the enforcement aspects of the bill; questions arise about how effective local authorities will be in monitoring and enforcing compliance among numerous railway operators, especially in rural areas where such crossings are more prevalent.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Transportation Code

  • Chapter 471. Railroad And Roadway Crossings
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB3662

Relating to railroad crew size requirements; imposing a civil penalty.

TX HB1752

Relating to liability for the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria; providing a civil penalty.

TX SB2405

Relating to state contracts with Chinese companies and investments in Chinese companies and certain companies doing business with China; authorizing a civil penalty.

TX HB404

Relating to requiring certain employers to provide paid leave to employees; providing civil and administrative penalties.

TX HB2226

Relating to state and municipal motor fuel taxes; providing civil penalties; creating criminal offenses; requiring occupational licenses; authorizing the imposition of taxes; providing for increases and decreases in the rates of taxes.

TX SB1788

Relating to organized crime, racketeering activities, and collection of unlawful debts; providing a civil penalty; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB4635

Relating to organized crime, racketeering activities, and collection of unlawful debts; providing a civil penalty; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB4624

Relating to gender modification procedures and treatments for certain minors; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB2758

Relating to a prohibition on state contracts with certain foreign companies or organizations; authorizing a civil penalty.

TX SB2255

Relating to cooperation between social media companies and law enforcement agencies; imposing a civil penalty.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.