Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
The bill amends title 49, U.S. Code, to state that federal law does not preempt States from adopting laws that limit how long a railroad carrier may block a grade rail crossing. It adds this non‑preemption language to both the Surface Transportation Board jurisdiction provision and the general preemption provision.
Local control and community relief versus national rail operational uniformity
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise substantive policy change that removes specified federal preemption to permit State regulation of the duration a railroad may block a grade crossing.
The bill amends title 49, U.S. Code, to state that federal law does not preempt States from adopting laws that limit how long a railroad carrier may block a grade rail crossing.
It adds this non‑preemption language to both the Surface Transportation Board jurisdiction provision and the general preemption provision.
The statute defines “State” to include the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
Narrow and administratively simple but changes federal preemption; industry resistance, legal risk, and lack of compromise features lower enactment odds.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise substantive policy change that removes specified federal preemption to permit State regulation of the duration a railroad may block a grade crossing. It clearly defines the problem and integrates with particular preemption provisions in title 49.
Local control and community relief versus national rail operational uniformity
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Local control and community relief versus national rail operational uniformity
Likely supportive because it empowers local governments and communities to reduce traffic delays and safety hazards.
Views it as restoring local control over nuisances and public-safety impacts caused by blocked crossings.
Cautious support if the bill is paired with clear standards and interstate accommodations.
Sees value in local relief from blocked crossings but worries about operational disruption and legal friction without guardrails.
Mixed to opposed: supports states' rights in principle but worries about burdens on interstate commerce and private businesses.
Likely to prioritize rail industry and commerce efficiency concerns.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow and administratively simple but changes federal preemption; industry resistance, legal risk, and lack of compromise features lower enactment odds.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Local control and community relief versus national rail operational uniformity
Narrow and administratively simple but changes federal preemption; industry resistance, legal risk, and lack of compromise features lower e…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise substantive policy change that removes specified federal preemption to permit State regulation of the duration a railroad may block a grade crossing. It…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.