Senate panel advances bill extending railroad‑crossing rules to on‑track equipment

The Senate Transportation Infrastructure Committee on March 4, 2026 adopted an amendment and advanced Engrossed House Bill 4410, which would apply the same safety rules now used at highway railroad crossings to drivers of on‑track equipment.

Committee counsel Mariah told members the bill would require drivers to stop when a signal device gives warning, a crossing gate is lowered, a human flagger signals, an approaching train or on‑track equipment emits an audible signal, or when a train or on‑track equipment is clearly visible and dangerously near the crossing. The amendment moves the bill’s definition of "on‑track equipment" into the amended code section and makes technical fixes.

Mariah said violations are currently a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or up to 10 days’ confinement and that the bill would subject on‑track equipment violations to the same criminal penalties and three points on a driver’s license record. The committee adopted the strike‑and‑insert amendment by voice vote and then reported the bill, as amended, with the recommendation that it pass; under the measure’s original double committee reference it will next be referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Vice Chair Taylor moved the amendments and the committee voted in favor by voice; the chair declared the motions adopted. The committee also approved a title amendment before reporting the bill out.