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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*hb0862*
HOUSE BILL 862
K3 6lr2615
CF SB 156
By: Delegates Stein, Addison, Allen, Behler, Boyce, Ebersole, Foley, Healey,
Holmes, Lehman, Lewis, J. Long, Ruth, Solomon, and Ziegler
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 26, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Railroads – Required Crew for Movement of Freight 2
FOR the purpose of prohibiting a railroad train used in connection with the movement of 3
freight from being operated in the State unless it has a certain number of crew 4
members; and generally relating to safety requirements for railroads. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Labor and Employment 7
Section 5.5–101(a), (d), and (e) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2025 Replacement Volume) 10
BY adding to 11
Article – Labor and Employment 12
Section 5.5–110(e) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2025 Replacement Volume) 15
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Transportation 17
Section 21–101(a) and (r) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20
2 HOUSE BILL 862
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
Article – Labor and Employment 3
5.5–101. 4
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
(d) (1) “Railroad” includes each common carrier by rai l and all branches, 6
bridges, cars, extensions, ferries, plants, spurs, stations, subways, switches, terminal 7
facilities, tracks, tunnels, and all equipment used on or in connection with them. 8
(2) “Railroad” does not include a rapid rail transit system o r light rail 9
system operating in the State. 10
(e) “Railroad company” means: 11
(1) the operator of a railroad operating in the State; and 12
(2) the State or any political subdivision of the State, while operating a 13
railroad. 14
5.5–110. 15
(E) (1) IN THIS SECTION, “RAILROAD TRAIN” HAS THE MEANING STATED 16
IN § 21–101 OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE. 17
(2) (I) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES TO A RAILROAD TRAIN USED IN 18
CONNECTION WITH THE MOVEMENT OF RAILROAD FREIGHT THAT SHARES THE SAME 19
RAIL CORRIDOR AS A HIGH–SPEED PASSENGER OR COMMUTER TRAIN. 20
(II) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A RAILROAD TRAIN 21
USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MOVEMENT OF RAILROAD FREIGHT INVOLVING: 22
1. HOSTLER SERVICE; OR 23
2. UTILITY EMPLOYEES IN YARD SERVICE. 24
(3) A RAILROAD TRAIN USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MOVEMENT 25
OF RAILROAD FREIGHT MAY NOT BE OPERATED IN THE STATE UNLESS THE 26
RAILROAD TRAIN HAS A CREW OF AT LEAST TWO INDIVIDUALS. 27
HOUSE BILL 862 3
(4) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , A 1
PERSON WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS SUBSEC TION IS SUBJECT TO A CIVIL 2
PENALTY ASSESSED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF: 3
1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N ITEM 2 OF THIS 4
SUBPARAGRAPH, A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $10,000; OR 5
2. IF THE PERSON PREVIOUSLY COMMITTED A WILLFUL 6
VIOLATION WITHIN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING 3 YEARS, A FINE NOT TO EXCEED 7
$25,000. 8
(II) A RAILROAD COMPANY SHA LL BE SOLELY RESPONS IBLE 9
FOR THE AC TIONS OF THE AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF THE RAILROAD COMPANY 10
THAT VIOLATE THIS SUBSECTION. 11
Article – Transportation 12
21–101. 13
(a) In this title and Title 25 of this article the following words have the meanings 14
indicated. 15
(r) “Railroad train” means any locomotive or any other car, rolling stock, 16
equipment, or other device that, alone or coupled to others, is operated on stationary rails. 17
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 18
(a) Section 1 of this Act shall take effect contingent on the enacting of 19
substantially similar legislation in the State of New York, the Commonwealth of 20
Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 21
(b) The Maryland Department of Labor shall notify the Department of Legislative 22
Services within 10 days after the continge ncy described in subsection (a) of this section is 23
met. 24
(c) If the Department of Legislative Services receives notice under subsection (b) 25
of this section on or before October 1, 2056, Section 1 of this Act shall take effect on the date 26
notice is received. 27
(d) If the Department of Legislative Services does not receive notice under 28
subsection (b) of this section on or before October 1, 2056, Section 1 of this Act, with no 29
further action required by the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 30
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to Section 2 of this 31
Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026. 32