(a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall, at the commissioner's discretion, examine the several railroads in the state when he deems that public safety so requires, and shall make a like examination of any railroad within the limits of any town, when so requested in writing by the selectmen of such town or by the authorities having control and supervision of the streets and highways within the town, and shall see that such railroads are kept in suitable repair and that the companies operating them faithfully comply with all provisions of law. The employees of the Department of Transportation shall have the right to pass free of charge, in the performance of their duties, on all railroads in the state.
(b) The commissioner or his employees may enter any building, car or other premises owned or controlled by any railroad company. Any person interfering with an employee of the Department of Transportation in the performance of his duties shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 5441; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 559, 571, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 14, 136; P.A. 81-435, S. 1; P.A. 90-271, S. 11, 24; P.A. 04-143, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 75-486 substituted “public utilities control authority” for “commission”, i.e. public utilities commission, and “authority” for “commission” thereafter, effective December 1, 1975; P.A. 77-614 substituted “commissioner of transportation” for “public utilities control authority” and “authority”, deleted “railways” and “street railways” where appearing and substituted “employees” for “members”, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 deleted authorization for free passage of authority employees, effective January 1, 1979; in 1981 Sec. 16-51 transferred to Sec. 13b-200; P.A. 81-435 added Subsec. (b) authorizing employees of the department to enter railroad premises at times of emergency; P.A. 90-271 made a technical change; P.A. 04-143 amended Subsec. (a) to permit examination of railroads at commissioner's discretion, rather than once in each year or more often, and amended Subsec. (b) to permit commissioner or employees to enter any building, car or premises of railroad company at any time, rather than only at times of emergency, effective May 21, 2004.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 245 - Railroads and Railways
Section 13b-199. - Definitions.
Section 13b-200a. - State rail plan.
Section 13b-200b. - Planning for branch rail lines. Report.
Section 13b-201. (Formerly Sec. 16-52). - Road not to be opened without certificate.
Section 13b-202. (Formerly Sec. 16-53). - Recommendations.
Section 13b-203. (Formerly Sec. 16-54). - When officers may be enjoined.
Section 13b-204. (Formerly Sec. 16-55). - General duties as to railroads.
Section 13b-204a. - Crossings at grade. Attendance by commissioner at public hearing.
Section 13b-205. (Formerly Sec. 16-56). - Taking land in discontinued highways.
Section 13b-208. (Formerly Sec. 16-59). - Record of conveyance or lease.
Section 13b-211. - Scheduling and connecting information.
Section 13b-212. (Formerly Sec. 16-61). - Regulating connections. Penalty.
Section 13b-212b. - Connecticut Commuter Rail Council.
Section 13b-212c. - Powers and duties.
Section 13b-212e. - Automated renewal of monthly student passes.
Section 13b-213. (Formerly Sec. 16-62). - Roads intersecting trunk line to have equal facilities.
Section 13b-221. (Formerly Sec. 16-70). - Deposit of snow or ice on state highways.
Section 13b-222. (Formerly Sec. 16-71). - Payment of fare not to be evaded.
Section 13b-223. (Formerly Sec. 16-73). - Recovery of forfeitures to state.
Section 13b-224. (Formerly Sec. 16-74). - General penalty.
Section 13b-226. (Formerly Sec. 16-75a). - Declaration of policy.
Section 13b-227. (Formerly Sec. 16-75b). - Railroad preservation and improvement projects.
Section 13b-228. (Formerly Sec. 16-75c). - Tax exemption projects.
Section 13b-229. (Formerly Sec. 16-75d). - Modification of tax exemption projects.
Section 13b-230. (Formerly Sec. 16-75e). - Inspection for compliance.
Section 13b-231. (Formerly Sec. 16-75f). - Powers of Commissioner of Transportation.
Section 13b-232. (Formerly Sec. 16-75g). - Certification of eligibility.
Section 13b-233. (Formerly Sec. 16-75h). - Report of commissioner.
Section 13b-235. - Enforcement of statutory provisions and orders of commissioner.
Section 13b-236. - Bond issue for grants for commercial rail freight lines.
Section 13b-237. - Procedure for disposal of surplus rail material.