arrow_back Civic Audit
Share share

Ending long railroad crossing blockages: new rules and penalties.

This act sets a 10-minute limit for trains blocking railway crossings, aiming to reduce waiting times for drivers and pedestrians. It also establishes a database where citizens can report blocked crossings, and railroads will be required to address recurring issues. The goal is to improve traffic flow and safety, especially for emergency services.
Key points
Trains cannot block crossings for more than 10 minutes, unless due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., accident, breakdown).
A national database will be created for public reporting of blocked crossings.
Railroads will be required to investigate and resolve issues with frequently blocked crossings.
Financial penalties are foreseen for railroad carriers violating the 10-minute limit, especially if emergency services are delayed.
article Official text account_balance Process page notifications_active Track this Bill
gavel
Status:
Expired
Record your position for audit.
Why does your vote on bills matter?
It creates raw, undeniable proof. Civic Will provides the permanent data to verify the Government's loyalty towards its citizens (explained here). Start recording it now.
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_3698
Sponsor: Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]
Process start date: 2021-06-04
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

D-BLOC Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_3698.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-06-04.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Trains cannot block crossings for more than 10 minutes, unless due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., accident, breakdown).
  • A national database will be created for public reporting of blocked crossings.
  • Railroads will be required to investigate and resolve issues with frequently blocked crossings.
  • Financial penalties are foreseen for railroad carriers violating the 10-minute limit, especially if emergency services are delayed.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Transport Courts and Law Security