08 LC 34 1579S
(SCS)
Senate
Bill 371
By:
Senators Stoner of the 6th, Mullis of the 53rd, Seay of the 34th, Pearson of the
51st and Hamrick of the 30th
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 32-6-200 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the installation of protective devices at railroad grade crossings, so as to
provide for legislative findings; to define a certain term; to provide that
local school districts shall provide the Department of Transportation with
information regarding rail crossings without active warning devices that are
used by school buses; to provide that local school districts shall use best
efforts to reroute buses to minimize use of such crossings; to provide for
related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
General Assembly is interested in increasing safety at railroad crossings,
especially crossings used by school buses, and therefore finds that certain
legislation may enhance such safety.
SECTION
2.
Code
Section 32-6-200 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
installation of protective devices at railroad grade crossings, is amended by
inserting at the end thereof a new subsection to read as follows:
"(d)(1)
As used in this subsection only, the term 'active warning devices' means
automated control gates, lights, and warning bells, used singly or in any
combination.
(2)
Each local school district in this state shall survey its established school bus
routes annually and submit to the Department of Transportation a list
identifying each rail crossing that does not have active warning devices on an
established bus route. Each local school district shall be required to submit
this information to the department each year by no later than July
1.
(3)
Each local school district shall exercise best efforts to minimize the number of
established school bus routes that cross rail crossings that do not have active
warning devices.
(4)
The department shall use the information about school bus routes as an important
factor in selecting rail crossings to upgrade with active warning
devices."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective on January 1, 2009.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.