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2025 California Code
Public Utilities Code - PUC
DIVISION 4 - LAWS RELATING TO UTILITY CORPORATIONS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 1 - Railroad Corporations
ARTICLE 7 - Operation
Section 7661.

Universal Citation:
CA Pub Util Code § 7661 (2025)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
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7661. (a) The commission shall require every railroad corporation operating in this state to develop, within 90 days of the effective date of the act adding this section, in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Office of Emergency Services, a protocol for rapid communications with the Office of Emergency Services, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, and designated county public safety agencies in an endangered area if there is a runaway train or any other uncontrolled train movement that threatens public health and safety.

(b) A railroad corporation shall promptly notify the Office of Emergency Services, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, and designated county public safety agencies, through a communication to the Warning Center of the Office of Emergency Services, if there is a runaway train or any other uncontrolled train movement that threatens public health and safety, in accordance with the railroad corporation’s communications protocol developed pursuant to subdivision (a).

(c) The notification required pursuant to subdivision (b) shall include the following information, whether or not an accident or spill occurs:

(1) The information required by subdivision (c) of Section 7673.

(2) In the event of a runaway train, a train list.

(3) In the event of an uncontrolled train movement or uncontrolled movement of railcars, a track list or other inventory document if available.

(d) The division of the commission responsible for railroad safety shall investigate any incident that results in a notification required pursuant to subdivision (b).

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 842, Sec. 54. (SB 1222) Effective January 1, 2017.)

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