Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 21 R · 10 D cosponsors

HB 311 — AN ACT relating to railroad crossings.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 195)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 23, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 31 sponsors

    31 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (21 R · 10 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 277 to require each railroad company to destroy or remove obstructive vegetation at intersections with public roads or highways; direct the Transportation Cabinet or local government to remove obstructive vegetation if the railroad company fails to do so after receiving written notice from the cabinet or local government; establish procedures for reimbursement by the railroad company for the vegetation removal.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

47 added · 60 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill HB 311 establish clearer requirements for railroad companies regarding the removal of obstructive vegetation near public railroad crossings. Now, companies must clear certain vegetation within specified distances, ensuring better visibility and safety for drivers. They also have a process to request exceptions if specific conditions make compliance difficult or unnecessary. This matters because enhanced safety measures can help to prevent accidents at crossings, improving overall public safety.

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Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 311/EN AN ACT relating to railroad crossings.
CHAPTER 195 1 CHAPTER 195 ( HB 311 ) AN ACT relating to railroad crossings.
(b) Within twenty (20) feet from the nearest rail or, if the railroad's right-of- way is less than twenty (20) feet from the nearest rail, the entire width of the right-of-way, except for vegetation within five (5) feet of private property;
(b) Within twenty (20) feet from the nearest rail or, if the railroad's right-of-way is less than twenty (20) feet from the nearest rail, the entire width of the right-of-way, except for vegetation within five (5) feet of private property;
Page 1 of 2 HB031120.100 - 1563 - XXXX 4/15/2026 10:28 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 311/EN (4) If a railroad company fails to destroy or remove obstructive vegetation in compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the Transportation Cabinet, or the local government maintaining the public road or highway, may send a written notice to the railroad company's registered agent requiring the obstructive vegetation to be removed within thirty (30) days of receiving the written notice.
(4) If a railroad company fails to destroy or remove obstructive vegetation in compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the Transportation Cabinet, or the local government maintaining the public road or highway, may send a written notice to the railroad company's registered agent requiring the obstructive vegetation to be removed within thirty (30) days of receiving the written notice.
Page 2 of 2 HB031120.100 - 1563 - XXXX 4/15/2026 10:28 AM Engrossed
Signed by Governor April 23, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 195)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. passed 98-0

  6. House concurred in Committee Substitute (1)

  7. posted for passage for concurrence in Senate

  8. to Rules (H)

  9. received in House

  10. 3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

  11. posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, April 14 2026

  12. reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) as a consent bill

  13. returned to Transportation (S)

  14. 1st reading

  15. taken from Transportation (S)

  16. to Transportation (S)

  17. to Committee on Committees (S)

  18. received in Senate

  19. 3rd reading, passed 93-1 with Committee Substitute (1)

  20. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 12 2026

  21. 2nd reading, to Rules

  22. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

  23. to Transportation (H)

  24. to Committee on Committees (H)

  25. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

31 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 107 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (31)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (107)

107 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 107 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Final Passage

Passed 98 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 18002
Republican 79000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 98002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Yea
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

Official roll call →

CONSENT PASSAGE OF HB 311 w/ SCS 1

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 33000
Total 38000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 93 Yea · 1 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 17003
Republican 75103
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 93106
% of votes cast 93%1%0%6%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Not Voting
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Not Voting
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Not Voting
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Yea
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Not Voting
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Not Voting
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Nay
William Lawrence Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 311 do?
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 277 to require each railroad company to destroy or remove obstructive vegetation at intersections with public roads or highways; direct the Transportation Cabinet or local government to remove obstructive vegetation if the railroad company fails to do so after receiving written notice from the cabinet or local government; establish procedures for reimbursement by the railroad company for the vegetation removal.
Who sponsors HB 311?
HB 311 is sponsored by Lisa Willner (Democrat), Wade Williams (Republican), Joshua Watkins (Democrat), Pamela Stevenson (Democrat), Sarah Stalker (Democrat), Scott Sharp (Republican), T.J. Roberts (Republican), Rachel Roarx (Democrat), Steve Riley (Republican), Adam Moore (Democrat), Candy Massaroni (Republican), Kevin Jackson (Republican), Kim Holloway (Republican), Mark Hart (Republican), Tony Hampton (Republican), David Hale (Republican), Daniel Grossberg (Democrat), Peyton Griffee (Republican), Chris Fugate (Republican), Daniel Fister (Republican), Robert Duvall (Republican), Myron Dossett (Republican), Anne Gay Donworth (Democrat), Steven Doan (Republican), Jennifer Decker (Republican), Beverly Chester-Burton (Democrat), Steve Bratcher (Republican), Tina Bojanowski (Democrat), Shane Baker (Republican), Nancy Tate (Republican), and Josh Calloway (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 311?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 311?
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