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AB-2554 • 2026

Railroad crossings: permit applications: review: public notice.

Railroad crossings: permit applications: review: public notice.

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Addis
Last action
2026-03-23
Official status
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on nonsubstantive changes made by this bill, so these were removed from the summary.

Railroad Crossings: Public Notice for Permit Applications

AB-2554 requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to post proposed resolutions on publicly accessible websites when reviewing permit applications for exempt railroad crossings.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the PUC to put proposed resolutions about exempt railroad crossing applications online in addition to listing them on the PUC's voting agenda.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Public Utilities Commission
  • People applying for permits to build or modify railroad crossings

Terms To Know

Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
A government agency that oversees and regulates public utilities, including railroad crossings.
Exempt Railroad Crossing Application
A type of application for a railroad crossing that is not subject to certain regulations but still requires review by the PUC.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which websites must be used for public notices.
  • It's unclear how this change will affect the number or quality of comments received from the public.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-23 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.

  2. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.

  3. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on U. & E.

  4. 2026-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  5. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2554, as amended, Addis.
Public utilities: regulation.
Railroad crossings: permit applications: review: public notice.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has the exclusive power to, among other things, determine and prescribe the manner and the terms of installation, operation, maintenance, use, and protection of railroad crossings. Existing law prohibits the construction of a public road, highway, or street across the track of any railroad corporation at grade and other specified actions with regard to railroad crossings without the permission of the commission.
Existing law requires the commission to adopt an expedited review and approval process for ratesetting proceedings for an exempt railroad crossing application, as defined. Existing law requires the commission, upon initiating a ratesetting proceeding, to determine whether the proceeding is for an exempt
railroad crossing application, and if so, to issue a proposed resolution pursuant to the expedited review and approval process. Existing law requires the proposed resolution to be publicly noticed on the commission’s voting agenda and to be subject to public comment.
This bill would additionally require the proposed resolution to be publicly noticed on a publicly accessible website.
Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to supervise and regulate every public utility in the state and to do all things necessary and convenient in the exercise of that power and jurisdiction.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF