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HB 311KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Kentucky requires railroad companies to clear obstructive vegetation at public grade crossings by 2029

Original title: AN ACT relating to railroad crossings.

Last action · April 23, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 195)Sponsors: Josh Calloway and 30 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky law now requires railroad companies to clear obstructive vegetation within 250 feet of public railroad-highway grade crossings by January 1, 2029. If a railroad fails to comply after receiving notice, the state Transportation Cabinet or local governments can clear the vegetation and recover the costs.

Why it matters

Railroad companies must dedicate resources to clear sight-line vegetation across rights-of-way, while local governments and the Transportation Cabinet gain authority to perform the work and bill the railroad if deadlines are missed.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

railroad companies

Railroad companies must remove obstructive vegetation within specified distances of public grade crossings by January 1, 2029, or face cabinet intervention and cost recovery.

Directly affected

Transportation Cabinet

The Transportation Cabinet gains authority to review waiver petitions, issue compliance notices, clear vegetation if railroads fail to act, and bill railroads for costs.

Directly affected

local governments

Local governments maintaining public roads may issue compliance notices to railroads, remove obstructive vegetation upon non-compliance, and recover removal costs.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do railroad companies have to finish clearing vegetation under this law?

Railroad companies must be and remain in compliance with the vegetation removal requirements by January 1, 2029.

What happens if a railroad company fails to remove obstructive vegetation after receiving notice?

The Transportation Cabinet or the local government maintaining the road may coordinate access to remove the vegetation themselves and recover the necessary and reasonable costs from the railroad.

Can railroads get an exemption if terrain makes clearing impossible?

Yes, railroads may petition the Transportation Cabinet to waive or modify the requirements by submitting a written notice, which becomes effective unless denied or modified within 60 days.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

12 actions

Apr 23, 2026HouseEnrolled
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 195)
Apr 15, 2026HouseEnrolled
posted for passage for concurrence in Senate House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) passed 98-0 enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
Apr 14, 2026HouseFloor
posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, April 14 2026 3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1) received in House to Rules (H)
Apr 1, 2026HouseFloor
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) as a consent bill
Mar 31, 2026SenateCommittee
taken from Transportation (S) 1st reading returned to Transportation (S)
Mar 24, 2026SenateCommittee
to Transportation (S)

Show 6 earlier actions

Mar 17, 2026SenateIntroduced
received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Mar 16, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 93-1 with Committee Substitute (1)
Mar 11, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 12 2026
Mar 10, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee
to Transportation (H)
Jan 12, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

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