SCR 8: Urge Congress pass Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act
The proposed legislation aims to improve rail safety in the United States. It will increase inspections on all trains and strengthen safety placard requirements to assist emergency responders in identifying hazardous materials. The law will also increase penalties for rail safety violations and require a minimum of two-person crews for all high-risk trains. Additionally, the legislation will direct the transportation secretary to promulgate new regulations based on the findings of an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration.
| Feb. 26, 2025 | Referred to committee: Transportation |
| Feb. 25, 2025 | Offered |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly Regular Session 2025-2026
S. C. R. No. 8
Senators Weinstein, Cutrona Cosponsors: Senators Antonio, Ingram, Craig, Smith
A C O N C U R R E N T R E S O L U T I O N
To urge the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 1
971, known as The Reducing Accidents in Locomotives 2
(RAIL) Act. 3
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):
WHEREAS, In 2023, East Palestine, Ohio, experienced a 4
devastating train derailment that contaminated the area's air, 5
soil, and water with toxic chemicals; and 6
WHEREAS, The residents of East Palestine are still 7
experiencing the effects of the derailment and the chemical 8
contamination resulting from it; and 9
WHEREAS, More than 12,000 cities, towns, and villages in 10
the United States have rail tracks running through their 11
boundaries and, since 2020, more than 4,000 trains have derailed 12
in the United States; and 13
WHEREAS, Following the train derailment, Ohio's U.S. 14
Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives 15
introduced bipartisan rail safety bills that failed to become 16
law. One of those bills was entitled the RAIL Act; and 17
WHEREAS, The RAIL Act was recently reintroduced in 18
S. C. R. No. 8 Page 2 As Introduced
Congress. The RAIL Act will increase inspections on all trains, 19
strengthen safety placard requirements that assist emergency 20
responders in identifying hazardous materials, and increase 21
maximum penalties for violations of rail safety regulations; and 22
WHEREAS, The RAIL Act will direct the Secretary of 23
Transportation to promulgate new regulations to improve rail 24
safety based on the findings of an investigation conducted by 25
the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal 26
Railroad Administration; and 27
WHEREAS, The RAIL Act will require a minimum of two-person 28
crews for all Class I freight and passenger trains; and now 29
therefore be it 30
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General 31
Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge the Congress of the United 32
States to pass H.R. 971, otherwise known as The RAIL Act, to 33
ensure the safety of American families and prevent future 34
tragedies; and be it further 35
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly 36
authenticated copies of this resolution to the President Pro 37
Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker 38
and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the 39
members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the news media 40
of Ohio. 41