The BLET is backing new bipartisan legislation to improve railroad safety recently introduced by members of the 119th Congress. Vice President J.D. Vance also called for common sense rail safety legislation recently and indicated that the administration would support the needed reforms.
A bill introduced by Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and John Garamendi (D-CA), builds upon the Railway Safety Act of 2023. It includes a new requirement that railroads regularly update Congress on the status of the implementation of safety recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board in its final report released last year on the East Palestine derailment.
A similar rail safety bill, introduced by Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH) and Rep. Rulli (R-OH), would codify the Federal Railroad Administration’s two-person crew rule into law. The bill also calls for increased inspections on all trains, including hazmat trains, and would substantially increase maximum civil penalties against railroads for violating rail safety regulations.
The BLET is also working with other members of Congress to introduce legislation that would require participation in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) by the Class I railroads.
Further reading:
• Full text of the Deluzio bill (PDF) and the Sykes bill (PDF).
• Progressive Railroading article, What’s in store for rail under Trump 2.0?