Category: Legislation
Colorado legislative update: Rail safety bill before influential committee
BNSF and UP have made a solid investment in lobbyists in Colorado and they’re getting their money’s worth. In 2023, SMART-TD Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith put forward a solid railroad safety bill to the Legislature that your union wholeheartedly supported. Br [...]
Kansas secures two-person crews as the law of the land
Making two-person crews the rule of the land in the state of Kansas took an atypical route to the finish line but got there just the same. It has been the goal of SMART Transportation Division Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo for years and it was finally achieved. [...]
Pa. group releases ad seeking action on rail safety legislation
The Rebuilding American Values action group in collaboration with the SMART Transportation Division Pennsylvania State Legislative Board has put its resources forth to support rail safety legislation being considered in the Pa. Senate. The result is a radio ad being broadcast [...]It’s a step ahead for Pa. rail safety bill
H.B. 1028 addresses minimum crew size, blocked crossings and train lengths Earlier this week on June 5, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a comprehensive railroad safety bill, H.B. 1028, by a 141-62 tally. The bill will now move on to the state Senate, where th [...]
Veto means Nevada governor picked politics over safety
In 2023, political ideology factors into almost every aspect of our lives. It can dictate what news sources we tune into, what restaurants/coffee shops we spend our money at, where we choose to live, and even who we see as a “good neighbor.” All of these are unfortunate reali [...]
Nevada members: Let Gov. Lombardo know he should sign rail safety bill!
SMART-TD’s State Legislative Director (SLD) in Nevada, Jason Doering has done his part for the freight rail members in his state, and now is the time that all of us need to get in the fight with him to get AB 456 across the finish line! Nevada is a state with more than its fa [...]
Minnesota governor signs omnibus bill, making two-person freight crews law
SMART-TD Minnesota State Legislative Director (SLD) Nick Katich along with the Minnesota State Legislative Board are proud to announce that the morning of May 24, Gov. Tim Walz has signed HF 2887, and a two-person crew minimum for freight trains is now officially the law of t [...]
Pa. rail-safety bill passes through committee
By a 19-2 vote, the Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technologies and Utilities Committee advanced its comprehensive rail safety bill, H.B. 1028, out of committee May 3. “This is a starting point,” said Republican Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Marshall (Distr [...]