Representatives LaLota and Delizio both introduced bipartisan and bicameral rail safety laws.
Rep. Nick Lalotta (NY-01) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17)both graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy, introduced bipartisanship and bicameralism Railroad Safety Act To prevent future train derailment disasters like the one in East Palestine, Ohio.this Railroad Safety Act A number of key steps will be taken to improve rail safety protocols, such as strengthening safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, establishing requirements for roadside defect detectors, a permanent requirement for at least two people on rail operations, increasing fines for rail carriers committing misconduct, etc.
This legislation is a companion to the House of Representatives Article 576introduce senator. JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
“What happened in East Palestine is nothing short of a tragedy, an environmental catastrophe that requires a bipartisan solution. We need to reassure Americans that their Congress is actively working to make sure this doesn’t happen anywhere else, whether it’s Long Island Or Western Pennsylvania,” Lalotta says“Improving railroad safety regulations to protect communities and railroad workers will help prevent future disasters, such as those in East Palestine, and keep New Yorkers and anyone who lives near a railroad safe. I thank the Senate for their support on this issue Our leadership and thank Congressman Deluzio for his cooperation in achieving real results to keep Americans safe.”
To read the full text of the legislation, click here.
background:
In addition to the introduction Railroad Safety ActLalotta is also a co-sponsor of both parties Reduction of Locomotive Accidents (RAIL) Actintroduce Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
bipartisan and bicameral Railroad Safety Act Safety procedures for transporting hazardous materials will be enhanced by including new safety requirements and procedures for trains transporting hazardous materials, requiring rail carriers to provide advance notification and information to state emergency response officials about the items they are transporting, establishing new requirements To prevent blocking railway crossings and reduce the risk of derailment through train size and weight rules.
The bill would reduce the risk of wheel bearing failure by establishing a requirement for dock defect detectors, requiring trains carrying hazardous materials to be scanned every ten miles with a hot box detector, and strengthening inspection requirements for railcars on trains carrying hazardous materials .
The bill also requires each train to have two trained crew members, forces rail carriers to face higher fines for misconduct by increasing maximum fines for safety violations, and expands HAZMAT training grants to local law enforcement King comes to support communities affected by rail disasters by increasing registration fees paid by Class 1 railroads to help first responders.
Finally, the bill would invest in future safety improvements, providing the Federal Railroad Administration with $22 million for R&D grants for roadside defect detectors and $5 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to develop more robust The costs associated with the safety features of the tank truck.
