Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
2006 Minnesota Statutes
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
219.761 EXTINGUISHING LOCOMOTIVE FIRE; REIMBURSEMENT.
Subdivision 1. Reimbursement. A railroad operating in Minnesota is liable for all reasonable
expenses of extinguishment when a fire or fire hazard emergency is proximately caused by a
railroad locomotive, rolling stock, or employees on a railroad right-of-way or operating property.
If the fire department of a local government or nonprofit fire-fighting corporation extinguishes a
fire arising from one occurrence and deems that it is entitled to reimbursement for its expenses, it
shall, within 60 days after the first full day after extinguishment, give the railroad, by mail,
written notice stating the circumstances of the fire as then known. The notice may be given to the
railroad at any address at which the owner has an office, agent, or other place of business in this
state. The date of the mailing is the date or service of the notice.
If after notice and claim for reimbursement, the railroad working the right-of-way refuses to
reimburse the local government or nonprofit fire-fighting corporation for expenses incurred, the
claimant may recover by civil action reasonable expenses, costs, disbursements, and attorney's
fees.
Subd. 2. Information in claim. All claims must set forth the basis of the claim including the
time, date, place, and circumstances of the claim. A claim must also include an itemization of
costs incurred to extinguish the fire. The state Fire Marshal, in consultation with fire department
chiefs and representatives of the interested railroads, may recommend that additional information
be included in a claim.
Subd. 3. Other costs, remedies. (a) If the railroads are required to pay property taxes
pursuant to chapter 272 or any other law, they shall also pay the fees and assessments required of
property owners situated within the same political subdivision for fire-fighting and protection
expenses.
(b) Neither the enactment of this section nor its subsequent repeal or termination alters the
statutory or common law rights, duties, or obligations of railroad companies with regard to fires
caused directly or indirectly by a railroad locomotive, rolling stock, or employees on a railroad
right-of-way or operating property.
History: 1977 c 95 s 1; 1981 c 32 s 2; 1985 c 265 art 4 s 1
Subdivision 1. Reimbursement. A railroad operating in Minnesota is liable for all reasonable
expenses of extinguishment when a fire or fire hazard emergency is proximately caused by a
railroad locomotive, rolling stock, or employees on a railroad right-of-way or operating property.
If the fire department of a local government or nonprofit fire-fighting corporation extinguishes a
fire arising from one occurrence and deems that it is entitled to reimbursement for its expenses, it
shall, within 60 days after the first full day after extinguishment, give the railroad, by mail,
written notice stating the circumstances of the fire as then known. The notice may be given to the
railroad at any address at which the owner has an office, agent, or other place of business in this
state. The date of the mailing is the date or service of the notice.
If after notice and claim for reimbursement, the railroad working the right-of-way refuses to
reimburse the local government or nonprofit fire-fighting corporation for expenses incurred, the
claimant may recover by civil action reasonable expenses, costs, disbursements, and attorney's
fees.
Subd. 2. Information in claim. All claims must set forth the basis of the claim including the
time, date, place, and circumstances of the claim. A claim must also include an itemization of
costs incurred to extinguish the fire. The state Fire Marshal, in consultation with fire department
chiefs and representatives of the interested railroads, may recommend that additional information
be included in a claim.
Subd. 3. Other costs, remedies. (a) If the railroads are required to pay property taxes
pursuant to chapter 272 or any other law, they shall also pay the fees and assessments required of
property owners situated within the same political subdivision for fire-fighting and protection
expenses.
(b) Neither the enactment of this section nor its subsequent repeal or termination alters the
statutory or common law rights, duties, or obligations of railroad companies with regard to fires
caused directly or indirectly by a railroad locomotive, rolling stock, or employees on a railroad
right-of-way or operating property.
History: 1977 c 95 s 1; 1981 c 32 s 2; 1985 c 265 art 4 s 1
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes