Chapter 219 — Track Safety Standards; Safety Technology Grants

219.01 Track Safety Standards; Safety Technology Grants Adopts federal track safety standards for Minnesota and creates grants for railroad safety technology. 219.015 State Rail Safety Inspector Creates a state rail safety inspector program to inspect tracks, equipment, and operations for safety. 219.016 Hazardous Materials Rail Safety Establishes a hazardous materials rail safety program to protect communities from dangerous cargo. 219.02 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.03 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.04 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.05 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.055 Incident Emergency Response; Preparedness and Information Requires railroads to share emergency response information and cooperate with first responders during incidents. 219.06 Signs at Crossings Requires railroads to put up warning signs at places where tracks cross public roads. 219.07 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.071 Maintenance of Grade-crossing Surfaces Requires railroads to maintain the road surface at grade crossings in safe condition. 219.072 Establishment of New Grade Crossings Sets the process for creating new places where roads cross railroad tracks at ground level. 219.073 Commissioner's Rules on Grade Crossings Gives the transportation commissioner power to make rules about railroad grade crossing safety. 219.074 Grade Crossing Change, Vacation Sets the process for changing or closing railroad grade crossings. 219.08 Crossings; Changing Grade of Approaches Requires railroads to maintain safe approaches where tracks cross roads at different grades. 219.09 Multiple Tracks Across Road; Railroad Duty Sets duties for railroads with multiple tracks crossing a road, including safety requirements. 219.10 Penalty for Violation Sets penalties for railroads that violate crossing safety requirements. 219.11 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.12 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.13 Farm Crossing Requires railroads to provide safe crossings for farmers whose land is divided by the tracks. 219.14 Railroad Crossing Protected Protects railroad crossings from being blocked or obstructed. 219.15 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.16 Grade Crossing Defined Defines what a grade crossing is under Minnesota railroad law. 219.165 Safety Rules for Private Railroad Grade Crossing Establishes safety rules for private railroad grade crossings on non-public roads. 219.1651 Grade Crossing Safety Account Creates a special account to fund railroad grade crossing safety improvements. 219.166 Establishment of Quiet Zones Allows communities to establish quiet zones where trains do not need to sound horns at crossings. 219.17 Uniform Warning Signs Requires uniform warning signs at all railroad crossings in the state. 219.18 Railroad to Erect Sign Requires railroads to put up and maintain standard crossing signs at each grade crossing. 219.19 Additional Warning Sign Allows authorities to require additional warning signs at crossings that need more protection. 219.20 Stop Sign; Yield Sign Sets rules for stop signs and yield signs at railroad crossings. 219.21 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.22 Stop, Look, and Listen Requires drivers to stop, look, and listen before crossing railroad tracks. 219.23 Crossing Guard Allows authorities to station crossing guards at dangerous railroad crossings. 219.24 Additional Safeguard Allows the commissioner to order extra safety measures at dangerous railroad crossings. 219.25 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.26 Protective Crossing Device; Uniformity Requires railroad crossing protection devices to be uniform and meet state standards. 219.27 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.28 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.29 Prohibited Sign Prohibits placing unauthorized signs near railroad crossings that could confuse drivers. 219.30 Injuring, Destroying Sign Makes it a crime to damage or destroy railroad crossing signs or safety devices. 219.31 Building Fence and Cattle Guard Requires railroads to build fences and cattle guards along their tracks through farm areas. 219.32 Failure to Fence; Liability and Damages Makes railroads liable for livestock killed or injured when they fail to maintain proper fences. 219.33 Fence, Crossing, Cattle Guard; Landowner Recourse Gives landowners the right to demand fences, crossings, and cattle guards from railroads. 219.34 Fence Between Railroad and Public Road Requires fencing between railroad property and public roads. 219.35 Crossing and Drain Requires railroads to build and maintain crossings and drains where tracks cross farm land. 219.36 Gate at Farm Crossing Requires railroads to install gates at farm crossings to keep livestock contained. 219.37 Ditch and Culvert Requires railroads to maintain ditches and culverts to prevent flooding of nearby land. 219.375 Railroad Yard Lighting Requires adequate lighting in railroad switching yards for worker safety. 219.38 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.383 Safe Operation of Train Over Road; Penalty Requires safe train operation over roads and sets penalties for violations. 219.384 Removal of Dangerous Obstruction Requires railroads to remove obstructions that block the view at crossings or create danger. 219.39 Dangerous Crossing; Complaint, Hearing Sets the process for filing complaints about dangerous railroad crossings and getting a hearing. 219.40 Dangerous Crossing Determination Procedures and Remedies Sets procedures for determining whether a crossing is dangerous and ordering safety improvements. 219.401 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.402 Adequate Crossing Protection Requires adequate protection at railroad crossings and sets standards for crossing safety. 219.403 Applicability to Local Laws Clarifies that state crossing safety rules apply alongside local ordinances. 219.41 Appeal; Order Enforcement Allows appeals of crossing safety orders and provides for enforcement of those orders. 219.42 Failure to Comply; Penalty Sets penalties for failing to comply with railroad crossing safety orders. 219.43 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.44 Charter Powers Not Abridged Preserves existing charter powers of cities regarding railroads. 219.445 Southern Rail Corridor Improvement Plan Creates a plan to improve the southern Minnesota rail corridor for better freight and passenger service. 219.45 Applicability States which railroad operations are covered by the clearance requirements. 219.455 Definitions Defines key terms used in the railroad clearance provisions. 219.46 Unlawful Structure; Clearance Bans structures too close to railroad tracks and sets minimum clearance distances. 219.47 Clearance Exceptions Lists exceptions to the minimum clearance requirements for railroad tracks. 219.50 Obstructing Space Between Tracks Prohibits placing objects that block the space between parallel railroad tracks. 219.501 Rail Carrier Walkways Requires railroads to provide safe walkways for workers alongside the tracks. 219.51 Violations and Penalties Sets penalties for violating railroad clearance and structure requirements. 219.52 Warning Sign; Reporting Clearance Violations Requires warning signs for low-clearance areas and reporting of clearance violations. 219.53 Contributory Negligence Addresses contributory negligence in railroad clearance violation cases. 219.54 Freight Platform Sets requirements for railroad freight platforms to ensure safe loading and unloading. 219.55 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.551 Locomotive; Water and Toilet Facility Requires locomotives to have water and toilet facilities for crew members. 219.558 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.559 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.56 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.561 Track Motor Car; Equipment Requires track motor cars to have specific safety equipment. 219.562 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.565 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.566 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.567 Failure to Ring Bell Makes it a violation for a train to approach a crossing without ringing its bell or sounding its horn. 219.568 Other Violations of Duty Sets penalties for other violations of railroad operating duties not covered elsewhere. 219.57 Prevention of Fire Requires railroads to take steps to prevent fires caused by sparks from trains. 219.58 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.59 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.60 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.61 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.62 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.63 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.64 Assumption of Risk; Contributory Negligence Limits when assumption of risk and contributory negligence can be used as defenses in railroad injury cases. 219.65 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.66 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.661 Speedometer; Legislative Findings Declares legislative findings supporting the requirement for speedometers on locomotives. 219.662 Speedometer Required; Reports Requires locomotives to have working speedometers and mandates regular testing and reports. 219.67 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.68 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.681 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.69 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.691 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.692 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.695 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.70 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.71 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.72 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.73 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.74 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.741 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.742 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.743 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.75 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.751 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.752 Minimum Crew Size Sets minimum crew size requirements for trains operating in Minnesota. 219.753 Crane on Tracks; Detector; Misdemeanor Requires safety detectors when cranes operate on railroad tracks and sets penalties for violations. 219.755 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.756 Yardmaster Hours of Service Limits working hours for railroad yardmasters to prevent fatigue-related accidents. 219.76 Damage Caused by Train or Contents; Insurable Interest Makes railroads liable for damage caused by their trains or cargo and addresses insurable interest. 219.761 Response to Train-related Fire or Other Emergency; Reimbursement Requires railroads to reimburse local agencies for emergency response costs from train incidents. 219.77 Railroad Employer Liability Makes railroad employers liable for injuries to employees caused by negligence. 219.78 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.79 Contributory Negligence Does Not Bar Recovery Prevents contributory negligence from completely barring a railroad worker's injury claim. 219.80 Assumption of Risk No Defense Bars railroads from using assumption of risk as a defense in employee injury cases. 219.81 Contrary Contract Declared Void Voids any contract that tries to limit a railroad's liability for employee injuries. 219.815 Employer Includes Receiver Extends employer liability rules to railroad receivers and court-appointed operators. 219.82 Survival of Right of Action Ensures a railroad worker's right to sue for injuries survives the worker's death. 219.83 Limitation of Action Sets time limits for filing lawsuits related to railroad employee injuries. 219.84 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.85 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.86 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.87 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.88 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.89 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.90 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.91 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.92 New Road Establishes procedures for railroads to build new roads or rail lines. 219.93 Stopping Train at Crossing Sets rules for when trains must stop at railroad crossings. 219.94 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.95 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.96 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 219.97 Violations; Penalties Sets general penalties for violations of the railroad safety chapter. 219.98 Fees for Applying for Order Sets fees that must be paid when applying for railroad-related orders from the state. 219.99 Railroad Prairie Right-of-way; Best Management Practices Encourages railroads to manage native prairie on their rights-of-way using best practices. 219.995 Railroad Peace Officers Authorizes railroads to employ peace officers with arrest powers for railroad property crimes.