BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                       


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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                  AB 1618|
          |Office of Senate Floor Analyses   |                         |
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  AB 1618
          Author:   Firebaugh (D), et al
          Amended:  7/21/03 in Senate
          Vote:     27 - Urgency

           
           SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE  :  Not relevant

           ASSEMBLY FLOOR  :  Not relevant


           SUBJECT  :    Trains:  communications protocol

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This is a new bill.

           Senate Floor Amendments  of 7/21/03 deleted the entire bill  
          dealing with motor vehicle dealers.

          This bill now requires every railroad operating in  
          California to develop a protocol for rapid communications  
          with specified authorities in the event of a runaway train  
          or derailment.

           ANALYSIS  :    Existing law sets forth the powers and duties  
          of railroad corporations.  Existing law authorizes the  
          State Public Utilities Commission, after a hearing, to  
          require every public utility to construct, maintain, and  
          operate its line, plant, system, equipment, apparatus,  
          tracks, and premises in a manner so as to promote and  
          safeguard the health and safety of its employees,  
          passengers, customers, and the public.
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                                                               AB 1618
                                                                Page  
          2


          This bill states, according to the urgency clause, that  
          there is an existing gap in communications during emergency  
          situations where there is a runaway train or derailment, or  
          if a derailment appears to be imminent, threatening the  
          public health, safety, and welfare.  This bill is in  
          response to a recent runaway train derailment in the Los  
          Angeles area which caused significant damage after it  
          crashed.

          NOTE: This bill will be referred to the Senate Public  
                Utilities Committee and possibly the Senate  
                Transportation Committee for a full hearing.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  No    
          Local:  Yes

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  7/21/03)

          Union Pacific Railroad Company


          RJG:mel  7/22/03   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

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