1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to railroads; regulating remote-control operation of train over highway 
1.3 	intersections and bridges and near international border;amending Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes 2004, section 219.383, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 219.383, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 5.Remote-control operation. In accordance with United States Code, title 
1.9 	49, section 20106, a new railway corporation, leasing entity, or operating consortium, or 
1.10 	any new ownership combination of them, that is not a Class I Common Carrier Railroad, 
1.11 	shall not allow the remote-control operation of a railroad locomotive, engine, or other 
1.12 	railroad equipment moving across a public crossing at grade, moving across a multiple-use 
1.13 	or multimodal bridge, or moving within one statute aerial mile of an international border, 
1.14 	unless its movement is made by at least two qualified employees who have been trained 
1.15 	and certified as remote-control operators (RCO's), who are electronically linked to and 
1.16 	in control of the same locomotive, who are propelling the locomotive's movement, and 
1.17 	who are on or about the front, and on or about the rear, of the same movement. To be 
1.18 	qualified and certified as an RCO, the operator must have successfully completed a basic 
1.19 	training program approved by the Federal Railroad Administration in accordance with 
1.20 	Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, sections 240.101 and 240.103. An RCO must also 
1.21 	be provided with any additional training that may be required under Code of Federal 
1.22 	Regulations, title 49, part 240, for other related duties. A multiple-use or multimodal 
1.23 	bridge is defined as a bridge with decking on which railroad equipment, vehicles, bicycles, 
1.24 	or pedestrians may travel separately or simultaneously.