{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-72-18-102","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 72-18-102","heading":"Rail ombudsman -- Duties.","body":"(1) The rail ombudsman shall:\n(a) develop and maintain expertise in and understanding of laws and regulations relating to rail;\n(b) coordinate, consult, and provide information to private citizens, government entities, rail operators, stakeholders, and other interested parties about rail related issues;\n(c) on the rail ombudsman's website, provide:\n(i) updated, easily accessible information about the duties of the rail ombudsman; and\n(ii) a form that a member of the public, including a railroad company employee, may use to submit a report or complaint;\n(d) provide education and training regarding rail laws and regulations; and\n(e) arrange and facilitate meetings between a rail company and one or more of the following, to resolve a rail dispute described in Subsection (2):\n(i) a local government entity;\n(ii) a large public transit district; or\n(iii) a private property or livestock owner.\n(2) The rail ombudsman shall facilitate meetings described in Subsection (1)(e) to resolve issues relating to:\n(a) safety;\n(b) at-grade and grade-separated rail crossings;\n(c) fencing;\n(d) injury to or loss of livestock;\n(e) railroad maintenance, including maintenance agreements and road closures;\n(f) improvements to railroad right-of-way infrastructure;\n(g) track realignment;\n(h) track consolidation; or\n(i) any other issue that has caused a dispute between a rail company and a party described in Subsection (1)(e).\n(3) If the rail ombudsman invites a rail company or another party described in Subsection (1)(e) to a meeting to resolve a rail dispute, the rail company or other person shall:\n(a) attend the meeting; and\n(b) attempt to resolve the dispute through the rail ombudsman before filing an action in court or seeking another remedy.\n(4) A rail company and a party described in Subsections (1)(e)(i) through (iii) shall provide notice to the rail ombudsman before:\n(a) closing a highway for railroad maintenance; or\n(b) starting a construction project involving:\n(i) an at-grade rail crossing; or\n(ii) the realignment or consolidation of railroad tracks.\n(5) The rail ombudsman may not address nor participate in:\n(a) organized labor issues or disputes; or\n(b) rail company employee safety issues.\n(6) If a report or complaint described in Subsection (1)(c)(ii) is made in regard to a rail company, the rail ombudsman shall forward the report or complaint to the relevant rail company or other appropriate agency or entity.","path":["Title 72 Transportation Code","Chapter 72-18 Rail Ombudsman","Part 72-18-1 Creation and Duties"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter18/72-18-S102.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:34Z","sha256":"edd103f9bad092aaec2fcdf3f2419a8a125f40fc91635a9af2de51ef6c50b858","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-72-18-101","next":"us-ut/utah-code-72-19-101"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}