From staff reports
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted out the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and the bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
According to a Senate news release, the legislation would prevent train derailments by taking key steps to improve rail safety procedures and protocols and increasing fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers.
The legislation, according to the release, includes key provisions based on Casey and Fetterman’s Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, which would set aside funds — paid for by rail companies that ship and carry hazardous materials — to provide emergency responders and firefighters with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime and address other urgent costs.
Also included, the release said, are provisions based on the senators’ Railway Accountability Act, which would direct the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to assess potential regulations improving end-of-train and head-of-train device communications and brake signal testing.
“By passing this legislation out of committee, the Senate took a crucial step to protect people over profits, make freight rail safer, and hold rail companies accountable for putting communities and workers in harm’s way.”
Fetterman said there must be assurances that “a disaster like this never happens again. That’s why I was proud to help lead on this bipartisan bill to strengthen rail safety regulations, which would make sure rail companies have the interests of workers and local residents in mind — not just their bottom lines.
“After this markup, it’s time to swiftly bring this bill to the floor and get it passed.”
