* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Porter
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Maryland Railway Safety Act
For the purpose of supporting the introduction, passage, and enrollment of the Maryland Railway Safety Act.
body
Recitals
Whereas, the safe operation of freight and passenger trains is vital to commerce, and the Baltimore City Council supports efforts to keep train operations safe in the City of Baltimore and throughout the State.
Whereas, in recent years, several catastrophic train wrecks have occurred across the country, many of which involved hazardous materials.
Whereas, according to the Federal Railroad Administration’s statistics, there have been over 2,000 rail crossing accidents per year over the last decade, causing 8,494 injuries and 2,503 deaths.
Whereas, the Maryland Railway Safety Act would address many unsafe conditions existing in the railroad industry today and is vital to ensuring safe train operations.
Whereas, the Maryland Railway Safety Act will prohibit railroads from blocking road crossings for extended periods of time, limit the length of freight and work trains, and require safe staffing levels for trains.
Whereas, the Maryland Railway Safety Act will:
- allow designated collective bargaining representatives to monitor railroad safety practices and operations;
- require the certification that safety wayside detector systems on railroad tracks are functional;
- require a reporting system for transportation of hazardous materials or waste accessible only to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State’s Emergency Management Agency, and County and City Emergency Management Agencies.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the Baltimore City Council supports the introduction, passage, and enrollment of the Maryland Railway Safety Act.
And be it further resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor of Maryland, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the Director of the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, the Director of the Parking Authority of Baltimore City, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.