HB 119 RAILROAD OPERATION PERSONNEL REQUIREMENT

Rep Dayan Hochman-Vigil

Actions: HPREF [2] HLVMC/HTPWC-HLVMC [3] DP-HTPWC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 119 (HB 119) requires at least two persons for the operation of a railroad train or locomotive that is used in the movement of freight. When the freight involves radioactive material, three workers are required, as well as requirements for radiation counters and compliance with protective standards. 

 House Bill 119 (HB 119) enacts a new section of Chapter 63, Article 3 NMSA 1978 to state that a Class 1 or Class 2 railroad shall not allow the operation of a railroad train or locomotive that is used in the movement of freight without a crew composed of at least two workers, except in certain cases involving transfer, assistive helper locomotives, or remote control locomotives in railyards. When radioactive material is being moved, the crew must be composed of at least three workers, and must:

•	provide radiation counters for each crew member; and
•	operate according to standards of federal law for protection against radiation

The effective date of the act is July 1, 2024.
 

 New Mexico does not currently have these specific stipulations regarding minimum crews or protocol for the movement of radioactive material. If the bill does not pass, existing language in New Mexico law and federal law will need to be relied upon for guidance.