Requires drivers to stop at railroad crossings for any on-track equipment in addition to trains

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Hardy Billington and 2 co-sponsors

HB 2246 would require drivers to stop at railroad crossings whenever on-track equipment is present, expanding beyond trains to improve safety.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#motorvehicles #railroads #roadsandhighways

Bill Summary: HB 2246 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

HB 2246 seeks to enhance safety at railroad crossings by extending the duty of drivers to stop not only for trains but also for any on-track equipment present at the crossing. The core aim is to reduce collisions and enhance public safety wherever maintenance, construction, or other on-track operations occur near roadways.

Key Provisions and Changes

Expanded stopping obligation: Drivers would be required to stop at railroad crossings when any on-track equipment is present on or near the tracks, in addition to stopping for approaching trains. This expands the current obligation if existing law already requires stopping for trains only.

Scope of “on-track equipment”: The bill defines or references “on-track equipment” as equipment associated with railroad operations that may be present on or adjacent to railroad crossings during maintenance, construction, or other railroad activities.

Operational scenarios: Applies to crossings where maintenance crews, flaggers, or equipment (e.g., track-laying machines, ballast regulators, inspection vehicles) are active or stationed, regardless of train presence.

Compliance standards: The bill would establish a clear duty for drivers to come to a complete stop when required by the presence of on-track equipment, similar to current train-stop requirements, and proceed only when it is safe to do so.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Drivers and motorists: Primary group affected; must anticipate and comply with stopping requirements at crossings where on-track equipment is present.

Railroad operators and construction crews: May need to coordinate with roadway users and ensure proper signaling, flagging, or other safety measures to indicate when on-track equipment is present.

Law enforcement and traffic enforcement: Potentially expand enforcement activities at crossings to include violations arising from failure to stop for on-track equipment.

Public safety outcomes: Expected improvement in crossing safety, potentially reducing incidents where vehicles strike maintenance or construction equipment at crossings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Referral and committee stages:

Referred to Emerging Issues(H) on May 15, 2026.
Prior actions include readings: First Time (Jan 7, 2026) and Second Time (Jan 8, 2026).
Prefiled in December 2025.

Sponsor information: Co-sponsored by Bryant Wolfin, Keith Elliott, and Hardy Billington, indicating bipartisan or cross-chamber sponsorship considerations.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through standard committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Missouri House of Representatives, followed by potential passage to the Senate and enactment process.

Notes for Readers

The summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to broaden stopping requirements at railroad crossings beyond trains to include on-track equipment present at the crossing.

Specific definitions (e.g., “on-track equipment”) and enforcement details would be clarified in the bill’s text and any accompanying explanatory notes or administrative rules.

As with any safety-related measure, practical implementation may involve coordination between railroad operators, local law enforcement, and roadway users to ensure compliant and safe crossing behavior.