Railroads - Required Crew for Movement of Freight
HB0862 would prohibit a railroad freight train from operating in Maryland unless it has at least two crew members. The bill defines the covered trains as freight trains used in connection with railroad freight movement that share a rail corridor with a high-speed passenger or commuter train, while excluding hostler service and utility employees in yard service. It also specifies that the term “railroad train” has the meaning used elsewhere in Maryland transportation law.
The bill creates civil penalties for willful violations, with fines up to $10,000 for a first violation and up to $25,000 for a repeat violation within three years. It also makes the railroad company solely responsible for violations committed by its agents or employees. The measure is contingent on substantially similar legislation being enacted in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and it would become void if that multi-state condition is not met by October 1, 2056.
HB0862 would amend Maryland’s Labor and Employment and Transportation Articles by adding a new railroad crew-size requirement and cross-referencing the existing statutory definition of “railroad train.” In practical terms, it would impose a two-person minimum crew rule on certain freight operations in the state, subject freight rail operators to state civil penalties for noncompliance, and extend liability to the railroad company for employee or agent violations. Because the bill is contingent on similar laws in neighboring states, its effect on Maryland law would not begin unless the specified interstate condition is satisfied.
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable treatment in the House, where the bill was assigned to committee, received a favorable committee report, and was adopted on second reading. However, the final status indicates the bill was vetoed by the Governor on policy grounds, suggesting executive opposition despite legislative support. No committee transcript or recorded vote details are available in the provided material, so the broader debate cannot be reconstructed beyond the bill’s movement through the House and its veto.
The main policy issue is whether Maryland should mandate a minimum two-person crew for freight trains, especially those sharing corridors with passenger or commuter rail. Supporters likely view the requirement as a rail safety measure, while opponents may see it as an operational burden on freight railroads and a matter better left to federal or industry standards. The contingency requiring similar laws in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia also suggests concern about regional consistency and competitiveness, and the Governor’s policy veto indicates disagreement with the bill’s approach or its practical effects on rail operations.