Bill Text: TX HB977 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to railroad crew size requirements; imposing a civil penalty.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-27 - Referred to Transportation [HB977 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB977-Introduced.html
85R1589 JTS-F | ||
By: Davis of Dallas | H.B. No. 977 |
|
||
|
||
relating to railroad crew size requirements; imposing a civil | ||
penalty. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 112, Transportation Code, | ||
is amended by adding Section 112.104 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 112.104. MINIMUM CREW REQUIREMENTS. (a) A railroad | ||
company may not operate in connection with the movement of freight a | ||
train or light engine with fewer than two crew members. For the | ||
purposes of this subsection, a railroad utility employee is not | ||
considered a crew member. | ||
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to the operation of a | ||
train or light engine for hostler service. | ||
(c) A railroad company that violates this section is liable | ||
to the state for a penalty of: | ||
(1) not less than $250 or more than $1,000 for a first | ||
violation; | ||
(2) not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000 for a | ||
second violation in a period of three years or less; or | ||
(3) not less than $5,000 or more than $10,000 for a | ||
third or subsequent violation in a period of three years or less. | ||
(d) Suit for a penalty under Subsection (c) may be brought: | ||
(1) in: | ||
(A) Travis County; or | ||
(B) any county in or through which the railroad | ||
is operated; and | ||
(2) by the attorney general or under the attorney | ||
general's direction or by the county or district attorney in any | ||
county in or through which the railroad is operated. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |