SB 506: Public Utilities Commission: railroads: colored pavements marking project.

The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission. Existing law provides the commission with the exclusive power to determine and prescribe the manner and terms of installation, operation, maintenance, use, and protection of specified railroad grade crossings. Existing law authorizes the commission to authorize and supervise the operation of pilot projects to evaluate proposed crossing warning devices, new technology, or other additional safety measures at designated crossings, with the consent of the local jurisdiction, the affected railroad, and other interested parties.

This bill would require the commission, to the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, to develop and implement a pilot or limited demonstration and research project for colored pavement markings at one or more at-grade highway-railroad crossings no later than January 1, 2026, to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of such a project to reduce incidents. The bill would require the commission to report its findings on the project to the Legislature no later than one year after project completion. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.

Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.

Because the provisions of this bill are within the act and the commission may issue a new order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement in connection with those provisions, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.