On June 5, the House voted 141 to 62 to pass House Bill 1028, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver) and Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver), to improve rail safety, strengthen state standards for freight trains and add reporting requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials.

“There may be equals, but there has been no bigger supporter of freight rail in the legislature during my tenure than me,” said Rep. Matzie, Majority Chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. “The intention is not to hurt railroads, but to enhance and strengthen rail safety for the public, the workforce and emergency responders.

“We can’t wait for Washington D.C. to act. We have the right to implement laws for rail safety in Pennsylvania, and that’s exactly what this bill does. Extraordinary events bring about extraordinary action. This bill lets the public know we hear them, and we are responding.

“The ball is now in the Senate’s court.”

Rep. Marshall, Minority Chair of the Committee, said, “I’m a strong proponent of rail freight and passenger service and I expect our railroads to prioritize the safety of both the public and their workforce. This legislation will help ensure that these expectations are met.”

Among other things, the bill would:

-- Establish new staffing and train length requirements – including, among other things, a minimum two-man crew and a maximum train length of 8,500 feet (approximately 1.6 miles) – to be enforced by the state Public Utility Commission.

-- Require the Public Utility Commission, working with PennDOT, to develop standards for reporting and tracking the transport of hazardous materials, including maintaining a database to be accessed by Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and county emergency response agencies in the event of a derailment.

-- Require Public Utility Commission and PennDOT to ensure proper functioning of wayside detectors – trackside sensors intended to warn when train cars are overheating because of problems that can cause derailment.

-- Limit the length of time trains may be parked in an area where they block road crossings needed for access by emergency response vehicles.

-- Allow a union representative to be present for rail safety inspections without being accused of trespassing.

Click Here to read House Fiscal Note & Summary.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Visit PEMA’s Train Derailment Dashboard webpage and DEP’s Train Derailment - What DEP Is Doing webpage for more on the state’s response.

Reaction

The Conservation Voters of PA released the following statement on the legislation--

“Conservation Voters of PA applauds the bi-partisan majority which passed legislation designed to better protect Pennsylvanians from railway disasters like the East Palestine, Ohio derailment. House Bill 1028, sponsored by Reps. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver) and Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) would require the implementation of much needed commonsense safety measures and create a reporting system for transportation of hazardous materials or waste.

“The East Palestine derailment released approximately 100,000 gallons of hazardous materials into the environment. Its route took it through densely populated communities across southwest Pennsylvania in the hours immediately before the derailment, highlighting the need to improve the safety and security of these freight trains.

“Considering the record profits being earned by train operators and the manufacturers of the often-hazardous products they haul, it is appropriate the state enacts measures to protect the communities through which these trains run.

“We applaud Reps. Matzie and Marshall for sponsoring this important legislation and thank the members of the state House who voted for it. We look forward to working with the Senate and Shapiro Administration to enact this important measure.”

Related Article:

-- House Committee Moves First PA Bill Setting New Rail Safety Requirements In Response To Norfolk Southern Train Derailment  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 5, 2023]

6/12/2023