1. (1) The rail industry safety advisory committee is created.

2. (2)

   1. (a) The rail industry safety advisory committee consists of the following nine members, each to be appointed by the governor:

      1. (I) Two members who represent operators of class I railroads operating freight rail lines;
      2. (II) One member who represents a class II or class III railroad in the state;
      3. (III) One member who represents a railroad that operates a passenger rail line;
      4. (IV) Two members who represent first responder organizations; and
      5. (V) Three members with expertise concerning rail safety, rail operations, emergency response, or transportation regulation.
   2. (b) The governor shall make the initial appointments on or before August 1, 2024.

   3. (c) The members of the rail industry safety advisory committee each serve terms of three years; except that:

      1. (I) The members of the rail industry safety advisory committee initially appointed pursuant to subsections (2)(a)(I) and (2)(a)(II) of this section shall each serve an initial term of one year; and
      2. (II) The members of the rail industry safety advisory committee initially appointed pursuant to subsections (2)(a)(III) and (2)(a)(IV) of this section shall each serve an initial term of two years.
   4. (d) Members of the rail industry safety advisory committee serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   5. (e) Members of the rail industry safety advisory committee may serve an unlimited number of terms.
3. (3) Members of the rail industry safety advisory committee who are not compensated for acting in official job roles may receive per diem compensation from the office of rail safety created in section 40-20-311. Members of the rail industry safety advisory committee may be reimbursed for expenses incurred while performing their duties.
4. (4) The rail industry safety advisory committee is repealed, effective September 1, 2034. Before the repeal, the rail industry safety advisory committee is scheduled for review in accordance with section 2-3-1203.

Source: L. 2024: Entire part added, (HB 24-1030), ch. 161, p. 760, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2025: (3) amended, (SB 25-162), ch. 420, p. 2379, § 9, effective June 4.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 25-162, see section 1 of chapter 420, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.