CLEVELAND, September 18 — By a vote of 55-40, the Ohio House of Representatives passed H.B. 71 on September 15, a bill that would establish safety requirements for contract carriers that transport railroad employees.
Introduced by State Representative Robert Hagan of Youngstown, Ohio, the bill limits the hours of service a driver can operate; increases insurance requirements; requires drug & alcohol screening for drivers; and requires maintenance inspections of all vehicles.
As a BLET member (Division 757, New Castle, Pa.), Hagan fully understands the necessity for regulating taxi companies.
“We’re long overdue in creating safety standards for the railroad taxi industry,” he said. “Many drivers want this legislation passed to limit maximum hours they must work, but are afraid to speak out in fear of their jobs.”
Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman Tim Hanely worked with Representative Hagan and the Commerce and Labor Committee in moving the bill forward.
“I can’t thank Bob Hagan and Representative Kenny Yuko enough for all they have done for transportation employees in Ohio, Hanely said. “We worked closely with the UTU’s legislative office on this issue and they were a key factor in the bill’s passage. We’ve got more ground to cover in the Senate.”
Chairman Hanely also thanked Vice-President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman for his guidance and recommendations for H.B. 71.
“It’s really a combined effort from D.C. to the States in passing legislation. John and his staff are a tremendous asset to the Brotherhood.”