News Archive
Safe Freight Act two-person crew bill introduced in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON (June 26, 2019) — U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced the Safe Freight Act, (S.1979) legislation that would promote rail safety by mandating at least two-person crews on all freight trains in the United States. The bill [...]
U.S. House acts to block LNG transport by rail
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, June 24, passed an amendment that would block President Donald Trump’s Executive Order in April to the Department of Transportation to fast-track the allowance of liquid natural gas (LNG) to be transported by rail. “In its ne [...]
Judge dismisses shareholder suit against CSX
A Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit that three CSX shareholders had filed last summer against the carrier regarding the 2017 hiring of late CEO E. Hunter Harrison. The matter was settled by Virginia state law, which required that the suit be dismissed after a committee of [...]
President Previsich testifies before House subcommittee
SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich testifies Thursday afternoon before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich appeared before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, [...]
Reporting events that can affect Railroad Retirement benefits
Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment of these benefits to the employee or to members of the employee’s family. If these events are not reported, benefit overpayments can occur that ha [...]
Signs of Heat-Related Illness
As we head into the hottest time of year, can you tell the difference between the various types of heat-related illnesses? And what kind of first aid is suitable for each? Here is a brief rundown: Heat stroke, the most serious form of heat-related illness, happens when the bo [...]
Call to Action: Ohio House committee to hold first hearing on rail safety bill
Ohio State Legislative Director Stu Gardner requests that members from his state show their support for H.B. 186, a comprehensive rail safety bill that is receiving its first hearing in the Ohio Legislature on Tuesday, June 18. Ohio Reps. Brent Hillyer and Michael Sheehy, who [...]
Legislative update: Where national bills of importance stand
Here’s a quick update on where legislation important to SMART Transportation Division members stands on a national level: The Safe Freight Act in the U.S. House (H.R. 1748), national two-person crew legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young in March, has 60 co-spons [...]