HB24-1030

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Carl Smith sent out a notice earlier today and is very "excited to share that HB24-1030 Railroad Safety Requirements will be in committee on Wednesday, 2/28 at 1:30pm in the Capital Building on 14th and Sherman." At this point we are the only bill on the calendar. This bill mirrors many of the aspects of the federal rail safety bill of 2023, such as limiting train length, and blocked crossings as well as hot box and dragging equipment detectors every 10-15 miles and requiring those detectors to communicate with the crew for potential defects, rather than just to a main office. The bill also proposes that the railroad pays for training for state and local first responders and necessary equipment to properly handle a rail incident, as well as allowing union officers the right to participate in investigations and derailments. 

     The Colorado Bill 24-1012 for Front Range Passenger Rail is going through the process. Our legislative representative is monitoring it closely, and making sure that it is in the best interest for railroaders, and creating jobs. As of now the idea is to possibly use existing track on both UP and BN property, but nothing is definite as of yet.