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H 7608Commercial

Public Utilities and Carriers - Operation of Railroads Generally

This bill requires freight trains to be operated by at least two crew members and establishes fines for non-compliance.

Signed into law72 Yea0 Nay3 Not voting
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Corporations

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends Rhode Island's general laws regarding railroad operations. It mandates that any train or light engine used for moving freight within the state must have a crew of at least two individuals. The bill explicitly exempts hostler services and utility employees from this requirement. Additionally, it establishes a tiered penalty system for violations, with fines ranging from $250 for a first offense up to $10,000 for repeated offenses within a three-year period. The law is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.

For younger readers

This new rule says that big trains carrying cargo must have at least two people working on them to drive safely. They cannot have just one person driving alone. If a train company breaks this rule and only uses one person, they will have to pay money as a punishment, called a fine. The more times they break the rule, the more money they have to pay. This is to make sure the trains are run correctly and keep everyone safe.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Railroad companiesFreight train conductorsRailroad engineersConsumers of shipped goodsCommunities near rail lines
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Protects labor standards and union jobs by preventing railroad corporations from reducing crew sizes to a single operator in an effort to cut costs and increase profits.
  • Enhances public safety and environmental protection for communities near rail lines by ensuring a second crew member is available to respond to emergencies or hazardous material incidents.
  • Prevents the exploitation of workers by ensuring that train operators are not forced to work in isolation, thereby reducing the risks associated with fatigue and lack of support.
  • The maximum fines of ten thousand dollars may be insufficient to deter multi-billion dollar railroad corporations, effectively becoming a "cost of doing business" rather than a true penalty.
  • Could potentially increase the cost of rail transport, inadvertently encouraging the use of trucking for freight, which is less fuel-efficient and produces more carbon emissions.
  • Does not address broader systemic issues in the transportation sector, such as the need for public ownership of rail infrastructure to prioritize community needs over corporate profit.
For Conservatives
  • Enhances public safety and protects private property along rail lines by ensuring adequate staffing to manage heavy machinery and prevent derailments or accidents.
  • Supports the preservation of traditional blue-collar jobs for American workers against the trend of automation and workforce reduction.
  • Establishes clear, codified rules with specific financial penalties, upholding the rule of law and holding entities accountable for negligent operations.
  • Imposes government mandates on private businesses, interfering with the free market and the ability of companies to determine their own efficient staffing levels.
  • Increases operational costs for railroad companies, which will likely result in higher prices for goods and services passed down to consumers and other businesses.
  • Stifles technological innovation by legally preventing the adoption of automated or single-operator systems that could modernize the supply chain.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 14 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 39-7 of the General Laws entitled "Operation of Railroads Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 39-7-13. Minimum crews required.

(a) No train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight may be operated unless it has a crew consisting of at least two (2) persons. For the purposes of this section, the phrase "train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight" shall not include hostler service or utility employees.

(b) Any company, individual, or business entity that willfully violates this section may be subject to a fine as follows:

(l) Not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), for a first offense;

(2) Not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), for a second offense committed within three (3) years; and

(3) Not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), for a third offense and for subsequent offenses committed within a period of three (3) years.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2026.