HB0079 • 2020

Railroad safety.

AN ACT relating to railroads; requiring trains and light engines to be operated by a crew of not less than two persons; specifying applicability; defining terms; providing fines for violations; and providing for an effective date.

Labor

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Representative Blake
Last action: 2020-03-09
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2020

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation accurately reflects the content of the official source material provided. No claims were removed or materially narrowed as they align with the bill text and summary.

Railroad Safety Act

The bill requires trains and light engines used by major railroads to have at least two crew members when moving freight in Wyoming, with fines for violations.

What This Bill Does

Requires that trains and light engines operated by major railroads must have a minimum of two crew members when moving freight in Wyoming.
Defines 'light engine' as a locomotive without any cars attached to it.
Sets fines ranging from $250 to $10,000 for railroad companies or employers who violate the rule.
Exempts certain activities like moving locomotives within rail yards and temporary helper services.

Who It Names or Affects

Railroad companies operating in Wyoming
Employees of these companies

Terms To Know

Light engine: A locomotive without any cars attached to it.
Class one railroad: Large railroads as defined by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not considered for introduction in the Senate.
It only applies to major railroads classified under federal guidelines, not all railroad operations.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0079H3001

3rd reading • Representative Northrup

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment removes a specific line from the bill's first page.

Removes line 7 on the first page of HB0079.

It is unclear what content was in line 7 and how its removal will affect the overall meaning or requirements of the bill.

HB0079H3002

3rd reading • Representative Eklund

Failed

Plain English: The amendment allows trains and light engines to operate with fewer than two crew members if a safety agreement is in place.

Adds an exception that permits trains and light engines to be operated by less than two persons if there is a safety agreement between the railroad company and employee organizations.

The amendment does not specify what qualifies as a 'safety agreement' or how such agreements are enforced, which could leave some details unclear.
It's uncertain how this exception will be implemented and whether it will affect public safety.

Bill History

2020-03-09 Senate
S Did Not Consider for Introduction
2020-02-27 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2020-02-27 House
H 3rd Reading:Passed 37-22-1-0-0
2020-02-26 House
H 2nd Reading:Passed
2020-02-25 House
H COW:Passed
2020-02-21 House
H Placed on General File
2020-02-21 House
H08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 7-2-0-0-0
2020-02-12 House
H Introduced and Referred to H08 - Transportation 41-18-1-0-0
2020-02-07 House
H Received for Introduction
2020-01-29 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

20LSO-0378
2020
STATE OF WYOMING
20LSO-0378
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0079

Railroad safety.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Blake, Blackburn, Clem, Duncan, Flitner, Hallinan, Hunt, Newsome and Styvar and Senator(s) Pappas, Rothfuss, Schuler and Von Flatern

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to railroads; requiring trains and light engines to be operated by a crew of not less than two persons; specifying applicability; defining terms; providing fines for violations; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 37
‑
9
‑
506 is created to read:

37
‑
9
‑
506.

Railroad train crews.

(a)

No railroad train or light engine used in a class one (1) railroad, as defined by the surface transportation board of the United States or its successor agency, in connection with the movement of freight shall be operated in this state unless the train has a crew of at least two (2) individuals.

(b)

Any railroad company, corporation or employer who willfully violates subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined:

(i)

Not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for a first offense;

(ii)

Not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for a second offense committed within three (3) years;

(iii)

Not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00)
for a third or subsequent offense committed within three (3) years.

(c)

This section shall not apply when an employer allows any person:

(i)

To move locomotives unattached to railcars within a rail yard;

(ii)

To operate a helper service that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power.

(d)

As used in this section, "light engine" means a locomotive that has no cars attached.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2020
.

(END)

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HB0079