Requires, for operation of hazardous freight trains, display of rail company name, crew of at lest two, max. train length of 8,500 ft, functioning wayside detectors, and submittal of federally required bridge inspection reports.

Requires at least a two-person crew on all dangerous
hazardous trains. Requires that all dangerous hazardous trains clearly display the railroad company name. Specifies the two-person crew requirement is mandatory for train transporting one or more loaded freight cars containing any material poisonous by inhalation or transporting 10 or more loaded freight cars or freight cars loaded with bulk packages or containing certain hazardous materials.

Prohibits operating any train that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any main line or branch line within the State. Any person or railroad company that violates this maximum length is liable for a civil penalty of at least $500 but not more than $1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length allowed under the bill. The maximum penalty allowed is $250,000 in instances of gross negligence or a pattern of repeated violations that cause an imminent hazard of death or injury or that have caused death or injury, regardless of train length.

The owner or operator of a privately owned railroad is required to submit a copy of federally required bridge inspection reports to the Commissioner of Transportation, the Governor, and the Legislature.

Requires that wayside detector systems meeting standards are installed and operating along railroad tracks.

Pending Committee action. Same as SB 3389.

06/03/2024 Introduced. Referred to Assembly Committee on Transportation and Independent Authorities.
06/06/2024 Reported and Referred to Assembly Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture.
09/12/2024 Reported from Assembly Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture. Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.