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HB 311 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to railroad crossings.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 277 to require each railroad company to destroy or remove obstructive vegetation at intersections with public roads or highways; direct the Transportation Cabinet or local government to remove obstructive vegetation if the railroad company fails to do so after receiving written notice from the cabinet or local government; establish procedures for reimbursement by the railroad company for the vegetation removal.
Issues: ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates vegetation removal at railroad crossings to improve traffic safety, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure safety standards.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered and significantly restructured to clarify vegetation removal rules at railroad crossings. The primary change is the addition of a 2029 compliance deadline, giving railroads time to adjust operations. The text also expanded the definition of obstructive vegetation to include specific height and distance criteria relative to the crossing.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on railroad crossings, but the applicability timeline changed by adding a specific compliance date.
TIMELINE

Added a requirement that railroad companies must be in compliance with vegetation removal rules by January 1, 2029.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the lead agency from 'Each railroad company' to 'Every railroad company' and added specific distance and height measurements for what counts as obstructive vegetation.

Added a new provision stating that railroads cannot be required to enter private property to remove vegetation.

Added a provision allowing railroads to petition for waivers if terrain or other conditions make compliance impossible or impractical.

ENFORCEMENT

Extended the deadline for railroads to remove vegetation after receiving a notice from 10 days to 30 days.

DEFINITION

Added a clause clarifying that these state standards are the sole rules for vegetation at crossings unless federal law overrides them.

Floor votes · House Mar 16, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
9
Committee
8
Apr 23, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 195)
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 98-0
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) as a consent bill
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
to Transportation (S)
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 93-1 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Committee
to Transportation (H)
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.