Bill > SB0253

This bill makes several amendments to Utah's railroad and transportation laws. The bill modifies the Department of Agriculture's functions by removing its previous responsibility to administer livestock damages from railroad operations. It enhances the role of the rail ombudsman by requiring the ombudsman to forward any reports or complaints about rail companies to the relevant company or appropriate agency. The bill also repeals several existing sections of law related to rail safety, including the Office of Rail Safety, its administrative provisions, and sections concerning railroad right-of-way infrastructure and livestock damages. Specifically, the bill eliminates sections that previously governed how railroad-related livestock damages were handled, fencing requirements, and various administrative aspects of rail safety oversight. The changes appear to streamline and consolidate existing railroad-related regulations, potentially reducing bureaucratic processes while maintaining a mechanism for addressing railroad-related issues through the rail ombudsman. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025, giving stakeholders ample time to prepare for these regulatory changes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0253.html