Skip to main content
S 2913Commercial

Public Utilities and Carriers - Operation of Railroads Generally

This bill mandates that all freight trains must operate with a crew of at least two people.

Signed into law69 Yea0 Nay6 Not voting
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that any train or light engine used for moving freight within the state must operate with a crew of at least two individuals. The requirement specifically excludes hostler services and utility employees. The bill establishes a tiered system of fines for companies or individuals who willfully violate this rule, 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 law creates a rule for big trains that carry things like food, toys, or building supplies. It says that these trains must have at least two people working on them to drive safely. They are not allowed to have just one person driving. If a train company breaks this rule on purpose, they will have to pay money to the government as a punishment. If they keep breaking the rule, the amount of money they have to pay goes up. This helps make sure there is enough help on the train.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Railroad CompaniesFreight Train ConductorsRailroad EngineersCommunities near rail linesConsumers of shipped goods
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

There is a significant constitutional risk regarding federal preemption. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) generally regulates rail safety under the Federal Railroad Safety Act. Courts in other jurisdictions have struck down similar state-level crew size mandates, ruling that they are preempted by federal law and the Interstate Commerce Clause. Therefore, this bill is likely to face a strong legal challenge and may be deemed unenforceable.

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
Railroad Companies: $250 to $10,000 per offense

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Protects union jobs and worker livelihoods by preventing railroad corporations from reducing crew sizes to a single person to cut costs.
  • Enhances public safety and environmental protection by ensuring two people are present to respond to emergencies, mechanical failures, or accidents.
  • Holds large corporations accountable through a tiered fine system, discouraging them from prioritizing profits over the safety of the community and their workers.
  • The fines (maximum $10,000) may be too low to significantly deter multi-billion dollar railroad conglomerates, who might view them merely as the cost of doing business.
  • Could potentially increase the cost of shipping freight by rail, which might encourage the use of trucking, a less environmentally friendly mode of transport.
  • Does not address other critical safety issues in the rail industry, such as braking system upgrades or hazardous material handling, focusing solely on staffing numbers.
For Conservatives
  • Promotes public safety and protects property in communities that rail lines pass through by ensuring adequate manpower is available to manage heavy machinery.
  • Establishes clear, codified penalties for violations, upholding the rule of law and setting specific expectations for corporate conduct.
  • Ensures that critical infrastructure operating within the state adheres to specific safety standards rather than relying solely on automated systems.
  • Imposes government regulations on private businesses, interfering with their ability to manage staffing and operational efficiency based on market needs.
  • Increases operational costs for freight companies, which will likely be passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods.
  • Stifles technological innovation by legally mandating human labor even if future automation technologies could safely operate trains with fewer personnel.

Votes

Loading votes...

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.