From left: Brother Arias and Brother Vigil
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A BLET-backed rail safety bill is now headed to the governor’s desk in New Jersey after an overwhelming majority of the state’s Senate and Assembly Members voted to approve the measure on the evening of December 22.
The bill would mandate a minimum of two crew members on hazardous material trains, establish a maximum train length of 8,500 feet, and would require proper installation and ongoing maintenance of wayside detector systems. The bill would also authorize representatives of labor organizations to enter railroad property to assist in inspecting for safety hazards.
Senate Bill 3389 (PDF) passed by a vote of 28-9 while Assembly Bill 4460 (PDF) passed by a vote of 66-1.
Ray Vigil, Chairman of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board, said it is expected that the Governor will sign the bill in the coming days. He and NJ SLB Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Arias, along with fellow BLET members throughout New Jersey, spent significant time lobbying for passage of the much-needed rail safety legislation.
“This bill is a cornerstone for rail safety in our state,” Vigil said. “I want to thank every lawmaker who supported this legislation. Republicans and Democrats in New Jersey came together with a shared commitment to protecting workers, passengers, and the public. This bipartisan effort shows that when it comes to safety, we stand united for the people of our state.”