AB 2554: Railroad crossings: permit applications: review: public notice.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-19
Current Status:
In Progress
(2026-03-23: Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission to post proposed resolutions for exempt railroad crossing applications on its publicly accessible website as well as on its voting agenda and to allow public comment. It affects railroads, rail transit agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders who apply for or review changes to railroad crossings.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has the exclusive power to, among other things, determine and prescribe the manner and the terms of installation, operation, maintenance, use, and protection of railroad crossings. Existing law prohibits the construction of a public road, highway, or street across the track of any railroad corporation at grade and other specified actions with regard to railroad crossings without the permission of the commission.
Existing law requires the commission to adopt an expedited review and approval process for ratesetting proceedings for an exempt railroad crossing application, as defined. Existing law requires the commission, upon initiating a ratesetting proceeding, to determine whether the proceeding is for an exempt railroad crossing application, and if so, to issue a proposed resolution pursuant to the expedited review and approval process. Existing law requires the proposed resolution to be publicly noticed on the commissions voting agenda and to be subject to public comment.
This bill would additionally require the proposed resolution to be publicly noticed on a publicly accessible website.
Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to supervise and regulate every public utility in the state and to do all things necessary and convenient in the exercise of that power and jurisdiction.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to supervise and regulate every public utility in the state and to do all things necessary and convenient in the exercise of that power and jurisdiction.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.
(a)The commission, upon initiating a ratesetting proceeding, shall determine whether the proceeding is an exempt railroad crossing application. If the application is deemed an exempt railroad crossing application, the commission shall issue a proposed resolution with an expedited review and approval process pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)Before exempting any applications pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission shall adopt an expedited review and approval process for exempt railroad crossing applications at a voting meeting after considering input from stakeholders and other public comments.
(c)The process adopted by the commission pursuant to subdivision (b) shall, at minimum, require public notice of the application and service of the application to relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, railroads, rail transit agencies, and local authorities, including county and regional transportation authorities. The resolution of an exempt railroad crossing application shall be publicly noticed on the commissions voting agenda agenda, including on a publicly accessible website, and be subject to public comment.
(d)For purposes of this section, exempt railroad crossing application means a railroad application submitted pursuant to Sections 1201 to 1205, inclusive, with clear public benefit, without valid protest objecting, in whole or in part, to the application, and where the commission determines there is no need for an evidentiary hearing or a more comprehensive review.
SECTION 1.Section 701 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:701.The commission may supervise and regulate every public utility in the state and may do all things, whether specifically designated in this part or in addition to this part, that are necessary and convenient in the exercise of that power and jurisdiction.The commission may supervise and regulate every public utility in the State state and may do all things, whether specifically designated in this part or in addition thereto, which to this part, that are necessary and convenient in the exercise of such that power and jurisdiction.
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Date
|
Status
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|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on U. & E. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Referred to Com. on U. & E. |
| Feb 21, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
Bill Author
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