The bill would amend Transportation Code, Chapter 112, relating to the powers and duties of railroads, to prohibit a railroad company from operating a freight train or light engine with fewer than two crew members. A railroad that violates this requirement would be liable to the state for a civil penalty in amounts specified by the bill based on the number of violations. The bill would specify that a suit for a civil penalty may be brought in Travis County or in any county in or through which the railroad is operated by the Attorney General or a county or district attorney.
Based on the information provided by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources. The Office of Court Administration anticipates that any increase in case volume resulting from the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill does not prescribe the disposition of revenue collected from civil penalties. Therefore, it is assumed that any penalty revenue would be deposited to the credit of the state's General Revenue Fund or the general fund of local jurisdiction as applicable. Because the number of violations and amounts of civil penalties that may be collected are unknown, the fiscal impact cannot be determined. Based on the analysis of the Comptroller's office, it is assumed implementation of the bill would not result in a significant impact to state revenue.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.