arrow_back Civic Audit
Share share

Ending Long Train Blockages: New Rules and Penalties for Crossings

This act sets a 10-minute limit for trains blocking railway crossings, aiming to reduce waiting times for drivers and pedestrians. It seeks to improve traffic flow and emergency service access, while also introducing penalties for railroad carriers who violate the rules.
Key points
Trains cannot block public railway crossings for more than 10 minutes, except in specific emergencies (e.g., accident, breakdown).
For frequently blocked crossings, authorities will investigate causes and seek solutions, and carriers must keep detailed records.
Railroad carriers can face financial penalties for exceeding the 10-minute limit, especially if delays impact emergency services.
The act requires major railroad carriers to publish links to a blocked crossing database on their websites.
article Official text account_balance Process page notifications_active Track this Bill
Status: Expired
Civic Will
Checking votes...
I support
I oppose
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: 118_HR_1347
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
Process start date: 2023-03-03
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — 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 118_HR_1347.

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 2023-03-03.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Trains cannot block public railway crossings for more than 10 minutes, except in specific emergencies (e.g., accident, breakdown).
  • For frequently blocked crossings, authorities will investigate causes and seek solutions, and carriers must keep detailed records.
  • Railroad carriers can face financial penalties for exceeding the 10-minute limit, especially if delays impact emergency services.
  • The act requires major railroad carriers to publish links to a blocked crossing database on their websites.
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. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-24.

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