Category: Legislation
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 [...]Pa. bill covering crew size, train length and detectors heads for committee vote
Looking to follow in the footsteps of Ohio, Pennsylvania’s Legislature has before it a comprehensive rail safety bill covering train length, two-person crews and wayside detectors. H.B. 1028 was introduced by 24 representatives April 25 with the House Consumer Protection, Tec [...]
NABTU Legislative Conference brings SMART members to DC to push for pro-worker policy
SMART members from across the United States and Canada gathered in Washington, DC, to push for pro-worker policy at the NABTU Legislative Conference.,
REEF Act to prevent rail jobless benefit cuts reintroduced
Under the Budget Control Act of 2011, and a subsequent sequestration order to implement mandated cuts, Railroad Retirement Board-administered unemployment and sickness insurance benefits were reduced by a set percentage that is subject to revision at the beginning of each fis [...]
Michigan Legislature takes up rail safety
State Senate has rail safety bills regarding two-person crews and train length before it Michigan State Legislative Director Donald Roach served as a primary source as The Detroit News published articles this week (subscription required to read) centering on two pieces of rai [...]