Florida HB 1323: Railroad Crossing Safety

Bill Text

CS/HB 1323 2026

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hb1323-01-c1
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to railroad crossing safety; creating 2
s. 351.38, F.S.; providing legislative findings and 3
intent; providing definitions; requiring the 4
Department of Transportation to conduct a statewide 5
study on advanced detection and monitoring systems at 6
railroad crossings; specifying the scope of the study; 7
requiring the department to consult with specified 8
entities; requiring a report to the Governor and 9
Legislature by a specified date; providing an 10
effective date. 11
12
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13
14
Section 1. Section 351.38, Florida Statutes, is created to 15
read: 16
351.38 Railroad crossing safety technology study.— 17
(1) The Legislature finds that improving safety at 18
railroad crossings is critical to protecting the lives of 19
pedestrians, motorists, railway workers, and the general public. 20
Advanced detection and monitoring systems utilizing technologies 21
such as sensors, high-resolution cameras, and data analytics may 22
provide a reliable means to enhance situational awareness and 23
reduce collisions at railroad crossings. The Legislature further 24
finds that additional analysis is necessary to evaluate the 25

CS/HB 1323 2026

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effectiveness, feasibility, costs, and implementation of such 26
systems. It is the intent of the Legislature to direct the 27
Department of Transportation to study these technologies before 28
considering any statewide requirements for their deployment. 29
(2) As used in this section, the term: 30
(a) "Advanced detection and monitoring system" means a 31
system capable of detecting and classifying objects such as 32
pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstructions at or approaching a 33
railroad crossing using technologies including, but not limited 34
to, sensors, high-resolution cameras, and data analytics. 35
(b) "Public railroad-highway grade crossing" has the same 36
meaning as in s. 335.141(1)(b). 37
(3) The Department of Transportation shall conduct a 38
statewide study on the potential use of advanced detection and 39
monitoring systems at public railroad-highway grade crossings in 40
this state. The study must include, but is not limited to, an 41
analysis of: 42
(a) Available and emerging advanced detection and 43
monitoring technologies applicable to railroad crossings. 44
(b) The effectiveness of such technologies in improving 45
safety outcomes, including collision prevention and hazard 46
mitigation, based on available data from pilot programs, 47
deployments in other jurisdictions, or academic research. 48

CS/HB 1323 2026

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(c) Technical and operational considerations, including 49
interoperability with existing railroad safety systems and 50
operating protocols. 51
(d) Costs associated with the deployment of advanced 52
detection and monitoring systems, including installation, 53
operation, maintenance, and long-term lifecycle costs. 54
(e) Potential funding mechanisms, including federal funds, 55
state funds, grants, or public-private partnerships. 56
(f) Criteria for identifying higher-risk railroad 57
crossings where such technologies may provide the greatest 58
safety benefit. 59
(g) Legal, regulatory, and operational considerations 60
related to the deployment and oversight of advanced detection 61
and monitoring systems. 62
(h) The respective roles of this state, local governments, 63
and railroad owners in the potential implementation of such 64
systems. 65
(4) In conducting the study, the Department of 66
Transportation shall consult with, as appropriate: 67
(a) Railroad owners and railroad industry representatives. 68
(b) Local governments with jurisdiction over public 69
railroad-highway grade crossings. 70
(c) Transportation safety experts and academic 71
institutions. 72

CS/HB 1323 2026

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(d) Federal agencies or national organizations with 73
expertise in railroad safety. 74
(5) By December 1, 2026, the Department of Transportation 75
shall submit a report of its findings and any recommendations to 76
the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of 77
the House of Representatives. The report may include potential 78
policy options for legislative consideration but may not 79
recommend mandatory installation or upgrade of railroad 80
crossings. 81
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 82