WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 855

Railroads - Safety Requirements (Maryland Railway Safety Act of 2025)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Malcolm Augustine and 3 co-sponsors

Requires at least two-person crews, limits train length, blocks grade-crossing delays, mandates wayside detectors and hazard reporting to boost Maryland rail safety.

Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 855

Summary — SB 855: Railroads — Safety Requirements (Maryland Railway Safety Act of 2025)

Status: Introduced January 28, 2025; assigned to the Senate Finance Committee; hearing scheduled March 5, 2025.
Primary sponsors: Senators Ellis, Muse, Augustine, Lam.

Purpose

SB 855 establishes a package of state-level railroad safety requirements aimed at reducing safety risks associated with freight rail operations in Maryland. The bill addresses crew size, crossing blockages, train length, defect detection (wayside detectors), hazardous materials reporting, and union access for safety investigations.

Key provisions

  • Minimum crew size

    • Prohibits operation in Maryland of any train or light engine used to move railroad freight unless it has a crew of at least two individuals.
    • Exceptions: hostler service and utility employees in yard service; passenger trains while boarding/discharging passengers.
    • Willful violation: civil penalties assessed by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry — up to $10,000; up to $25,000 if a prior willful violation occurred within the prior 3 years. The railroad is liable for agents’/employees’ violations.

  • Grade crossing blockage

    • A railroad may not block a railroad or highway grade crossing with a standing train for more than 5 minutes.
    • Civil fine for violation: up to $5,000 per violation (assessed by the Commissioner).

  • Train length limit

    • Freight or work trains may not exceed 8,500 feet on any main track or branch line.
    • Civil fine for violation: up to $10,000 per violation.

  • Wayside detector systems

    • Railroads that own or control tracks designated Class IV or greater by the FRA must install, operate, maintain, repair, and replace wayside detector systems consistent with USDOT/FRA standards.
    • Requires written policies, training, monitoring, and placement of detectors to allow operators time to respond (stop, investigate, repair).
    • The Commissioner must certify compliance, investigate alleged violations, require correction within 60 days, and may impose fines (up to $10,000 and daily penalties for ongoing noncompliance).

  • Hazardous materials / waste reporting system

    • The Commissioner of Labor and Industry must establish and maintain a reporting system for rail transport of hazardous materials and waste in the State.
    • Information in the system is not public and is exempt from Maryland’s Public Information Act; data must be shared with Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) and FEMA.

  • Union access for investigations

    • Railroad companies must allow authorized railroad union representatives reasonable access to all property owned or leased by the railroad for investigating violations of law/regulations and safety hazards.

Enforcement & rulemaking

  • The Commissioner of Labor and Industry is given authority to assess civil fines, adopt regulations, certify wayside detector compliance, and investigate violations.
  • Violations trigger written reports, 60‑day cure orders, and escalating penalties for noncompliance.

Fiscal and operational impacts (per fiscal note)

  • Estimated increases in special fund revenue/expenditure for state agencies (Public Service Commission/MD Labor) — roughly $500,000 annually in FY 2026–2030.
  • Transportation Trust Fund expenditures likely rise (uncertain / potentially significant) due to operational or oversight changes.
  • Railroads likely face increased operating costs (additional crew staffing, equipment/installation and maintenance of wayside detectors, potential operational changes due to train length limits and crossing rules).

Who is affected

  • Railroad companies operating freight and work trains on Maryland tracks (particularly those with FRA Class IV+ track designations).
  • Railroad employees and labor unions (crew staffing, training, and access rights).
  • State agencies: Commissioner of Labor & Industry (implementation & enforcement), Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Public Service Commission.
  • Local communities (reduced long crossing blockages; potential changes in freight operations).

Relationship to federal law

  • The bill operates in the context of federal railroad safety preemption. The bill appears framed to address local safety hazards and tasks state agencies with implementation and compliance certification; regulatory conflicts with federal law could arise and would be subject to federal preemption rules.

Next steps / timeline

  • Senate Finance Committee hearing scheduled for March 5, 2025 (per bill header). If advanced, the Commissioner will be directed to adopt regulations and set up required reporting/certification systems following enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.