TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s legislature has passed a rail regulation bill including a two-person crew requirement for trains carrying hazardous materials, as well as a limit on the length of such trains. The bill is now on the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy to sign or veto.
The legislation — A4460 in the Assembly and S3389 in the Senate — passed by margins of 67-1 and 29-8, respectively, on Dec. 22.
The final version of the bill requires two-person crews for any train transporting 200,000 or more gallons of petroleum products or 20,000 gallons or more of other hazardous materials, and limits the length of such trains to 8,500 feet. It includes several exemptions for smaller railroads.
It also requires wayside detection systems, requires railroads to regularly submit bridge inspection reports to the state’s transportation commissioner, and has a provision protecting union members who report potential safety hazards. The bill calls for the state to develop a funding program to assist railroads with meeting the detection requirements.
A representative of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said in a press release that Murphy is expected to sign the bill.
“This bill is a cornerstone for rail safety in our state,” said Ray Vigil, chairman of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board. “I want to thank every lawmaker who supported this legislation. Republicans and Democrats in New Jersey came together with a shared commitment to protecting workers, passengers, and the public.”
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, which also supports the bill, calls it “one of the most comprehensive and practical rail safety packages passed in the modern era.”
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I wonder if those legislators passing this bill are familiar with the many rulings which confirm that states cannot regulate interstate commerce? If not, why not?