BLET Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Parker testifying in favor of Nevada Assembly Bill 466
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As a major railroad safety bill makes its way through the state legislature in Nevada, the BLET’s Nevada State Legislative Board is asking members to speak out and share their support of the bill with legislators. BLET Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Parker said Assembly Bill 446 was advanced by the Assembly’s Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on April 10.
Among other items, Assembly Bill 446 would:
- Establish a maximum length of 7,500 feet for freight trains.
- Set a maximum distance of 20 miles between hot box detectors and require that they be inspected at least every 30 days for proper operation.
- Establish penalties for railroads that block crossings and delay emergency responders.
- Add safety requirements regarding drivers and contracted vehicles used to transport train crews.
- Grant union representatives access to railroad property for safety inspections.
Nevada Assemblymember Max Carter, sponsor of the rail safety bill, said: “AB 446 is a critical safety and infrastructure bill that protects railway workers and the communities trains operate in. Whether it is East Palestine or Elko, we know what happens when industry runs roughshod over the expertise and warnings of workers — derailments that threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country. AB 446 will put safety as the number one priority for trains in Nevada.”
Chairman Parker said he and his fellow Nevada SLB members have pledges of support from a majority of Democrats in the State Assembly. He is asking BLET’s Republican members in Nevada to contact their Assembly members and ask for their support of this common sense rail safety bill.
The Nevada SLB is also asking all Nevada members to go online and express their support for the bill. Members should use this link and scroll down to “Share Your Opinion on a Bill or Resolution.” Click the drop-down box and scroll to AB 446. Select this bill, then click “Share Opinion.” Members should complete the form and enter any comments they wish to include in the comments box, then click submit. This will both generate a record of BLET member opinions on the bill and automatically send an email to their State Senator or Assemblymember.
Click here to watch a video of Chairman Parker’s testimony.
Parker image: Nevada State Legislature