Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 1310
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
02/10/2026 .
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The Committee on Transportation (Rodriguez) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Section 351.38, Florida Statutes, is created to
6 read:
7 351.38 Railroad crossing safety technology study.—
8 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—
9 (a) The Legislature finds that improving safety at railroad
10 crossings is critical to protecting the lives of pedestrians,
11 motorists, railway workers, and the general public. Advanced
12 detection and monitoring systems using such technologies as
13 sensors, high-resolution cameras, and data analytics may provide
14 a reliable means to enhance situational awareness and reduce
15 collisions at railroad crossings.
16 (b) The Legislature further finds that additional analysis
17 is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, costs,
18 and implementation considerations of such systems.
19 (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to direct the
20 Department of Transportation to study the technologies
21 referenced in paragraph (a) before considering any statewide
22 requirements for their deployment.
23 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
24 (a) “Advanced detection and monitoring system” means a
25 system capable of detecting and classifying objects, such as
26 pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstructions at or approaching a
27 railroad crossing, using technologies including, but not limited
28 to, sensors, cameras, and data analytics.
29 (b) “Hazard assessment” means the process of analyzing
30 detected objects or conditions to determine whether a potential
31 safety risk exists at a railroad crossing.
32 (c) “Public railroad-highway grade crossing” has the same
33 meaning as provided in s. 335.141(1)(b).
34 (3) STUDY.—
35 (a) The Department of Transportation shall conduct a
36 statewide study on the use of advanced detection and monitoring
37 systems at public railroad-highway grade crossings in this
38 state.
39 (b) The study must include, but is not limited to, an
40 analysis of all of the following:
41 1. Available and emerging advanced detection and monitoring
42 technologies applicable to railroad crossings.
43 2. The effectiveness of such technologies in improving
44 safety outcomes, including collision prevention and hazard
45 mitigation, based on available data from pilot programs,
46 deployments in other jurisdictions, or academic research.
47 3. Technical and operational considerations, including
48 interoperability with existing railroad safety systems and
49 operating protocols.
50 4. Costs associated with the deployment of advanced
51 detection and monitoring systems, including installation,
52 operation, maintenance, and long-term lifecycle costs.
53 5. Potential funding mechanisms, including federal funds,
54 state funds, grants, or public-private partnerships.
55 6. Criteria for identifying higher-risk railroad crossings
56 where such technologies may provide the greatest safety benefit.
57 7. Legal, regulatory, and operational considerations
58 related to the deployment and oversight of advanced detection
59 and monitoring systems.
60 8. The respective roles of the state, local governments,
61 and railroad owners in the implementation of such systems.
62 (4) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the department
63 may consult with, as appropriate, any of the following:
64 (a) Railroad owners and railroad industry representatives.
65 (b) Local governments with jurisdiction over public
66 railroad-highway grade crossings.
67 (c) Transportation safety experts and academic
68 institutions.
69 (d) Federal agencies or national organizations with
70 expertise in railroad safety.
71 (5) REPORT.—By December 1, 2026, the department shall
72 submit a report of its findings and any recommendations to the
73 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
74 House of Representatives. The report may include policy
75 recommendations for legislative consideration, but may not
76 recommend or require the mandatory installation or upgrade of
77 railroad crossings.
78 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
79
80 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
81 And the title is amended as follows:
82 Delete everything before the enacting clause
83 and insert:
84 A bill to be entitled
85 An act relating to railroad crossing safety; creating
86 s. 351.38, F.S.; providing legislative findings and
87 intent; defining terms; requiring the Department of
88 Transportation to conduct a statewide study on the use
89 of advanced detection and monitoring systems at public
90 railroad-highway grade crossings; providing
91 requirements for such study; authorizing the
92 department to consult with certain persons and
93 entities in conducting the study; requiring the
94 department to submit a report to the Governor and the
95 Legislature by a specified date; providing
96 requirements for such report; providing an effective
97 date.