TRAIN OPERATION; CREW SIZE REQ.                                                 S.B. 100:

                                                                     SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                              IN COMMITTEE

enate Bill 100 (as introduced 3-1-23)

Sponsor:  Senator Erika Geiss

Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Date Completed:  4-10-23

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Railroad Code to prohibit a train or locomotive engine engaged in transporting freight from operating unless the train or locomotive engine was operated by a crew of at least two individuals. The bill's prohibition would not apply if the train or locomotive engine were operating a locomotive engine in hostler service or in helper service. 

Under the bill, "train" would mean one or more locomotive engines, coupled with or without cars, that are required to undergo air brake testing under Federal law. "Helper service" would mean assisting a train that is experiencing a mechanical failure or that is ascending or descending a grade by coupling a locomotive engine to the front or rear of the train. "Hostler service" would mean moving a train or locomotive engine a short distance within a railroad yard or mechanical facility.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATION

(Please note: The information in this summary provides a cursory overview of previous legislation and its progress. It does not provide a comprehensive account of all previous legislative efforts on the relevant subject matter.)

The bill is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 767 from the 2021-2022 Legislative Session.

Proposed MCL 462.351                            Legislative Analyst:  Tyler P. VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                           Fiscal Analyst:  Bobby Canell

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.