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IA SF290
IA SF290A bill for an act relating to train accidents resulting in personal injury or death, and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
Under current law, upon the occurrence of any serious accident upon any railroad, which results in personal injury or loss of life, the corporation operating the road upon which the accident occurred is required to give immediate notice thereof to the department of transportation (DOT) whose duty it is, if they deem it necessary, to investigate the same, and promptly report to the governor the extent of the personal injuries, or loss of life, and whether the same was the result of mismanagement or neglect of the corporation on whose line the injury or loss of life occurred; but such report is prohibited from being evidence or referred to in any case in any court (Code section 327C.37). This bill rewrites Code section 327C.37 to enhance readability and specifies that the required reports to the governor are not subject to Code chapter 22 (open records). The bill also requires personal information of a train crew member who died in an accident to be kept confidential. An unredacted report with otherwise protected, confidential personal information may be accessed by certain persons described in the bill. By operation of law, a violation of the bill is a schedule “one” penalty under Code section 327C.5. A schedule “one” penalty is punishable by a fine of $100 per violation.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing railroad accident reporting requirements by updating Code section 327C.37 to enhance confidentiality protections and clarify reporting procedures. Under the new provisions, when a railroad accident occurs resulting in personal injury or death, the railway corporation must immediately notify the Department of Transportation (DOT), which may then investigate and submit a confidential report to the governor describing the extent of injuries or fatalities and whether the accident was caused by corporate mismanagement or neglect. Importantly, the bill adds specific protections for personal information of train crew members who die in accidents, making such information confidential and preventing its public release. The report cannot be used as evidence in court proceedings and is exempt from open records laws. However, an unredacted report may be accessed by the railway corporation involved, law enforcement officers for official duties, persons authorized by court order, and other specified parties. By operation of law, violations of this bill would be subject to a schedule "one" penalty, which carries a fine of $100 per violation.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage. (on 02/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF290 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF290.html |
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