Establishes a freight rail safety task force that will review the state of freight rail safety in the state and make policy and budgetary recommendations.

Establishes a freight rail safety task force, chaired by the
Commissioner of Transportation and comprised of eleven members appointed by the Governor, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and the minority leader of the assembly, to review the state of freight rail safety in the state and make policy and budgetary recommendations. The members of
the task force shall serve without compensation, except that members shall be allowed their necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The task force shall issue a report of its findings and recommendations on the measures needed to ensure safe and reliable freight rail transportation, specifically on:

a. enhancing coordination and information sharing between the federal, state, and local regulators;

b. establishing a uniform safety training program for DOT engineers and local regulators;

c. a review of federal laws and rules relating to regulations of freight rail operations; and

d. the need for additional freight rail safety measures. This report shall be issued to the governor, temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly no later than one year after the effective date.

Pending Committee action. Same as SB 6935.

04/26/2024 Referred to Assembly Committee on Transportation.