BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1504
80R6137 SLO-D By: Van de Putte
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
It is necessary to consider the possible dangers to a school that is in close proximity to a train track if a train derailment were to occur. Rail train accidents can cause direct harm 100 feet away, and an accident that spills chemical or other potentially dangerous materials can affect a larger area. In 2006, there was a total of 1,072 train accidents in Texas. It is critical to prepare response plans to protect the residents of Texas from the possible dangers of an accident. It is particularly important for schools in close proximity to a train track to have a plan to protect their students in the event of a train accident.
As proposed, S.B. 1504 requires school districts with schools located within 300 feet of railroad tracks to establish a policy for responding to train derailments in the district's multihazard emergency operations plan.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Authorizes this Act to be cited as the "School Rail Safety Act."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 37.108, Education Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:
(d) Requires a school district to include in its multihazard emergency operations plan a policy for responding to a train derailment near a district school. Provides that a school district is only required to adopt the policy described by this subsection if a district school is located within 300 feet of a railroad track, as measured from any point on the school's real property boundary line. Authorizes the school district to use any available community resources in developing the policy described by this subsection.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.