Johnson leads bipartisan Ohio delegation in proposing RAIL Act

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) led a bipartisan contingent of Ohio members in introducing legislation to enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials in the United States.

Introduction of the bill follows the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train that caught fire in the town of East Palestine, Ohio. Of the 38 cars that derailed, 11 contained toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, and butyl acrylate. Ohio is now suing Norfolk Southern to ensure it pays for the cleanup and environmental damage caused by the derailment.

“The East Palestine train derailment has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine and the surrounding region,” Rep. Johnson said. “It is imperative that Congress swiftly works to strengthen our nation’s railway safety standards.”

The congressman on March 17 sponsored the Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act, H.R. 1633, with 10 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Michael Turner (R-OH), and Emilia Strong Sykes (D-OH).

If enacted, H.R. 1633 would direct the Federal Rail Administration, in conjunction with the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation, to recommend changes to how the nation’s rail system operates, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Johnson’s office.

Specifically, H.R. 1633 would increase funding for hazardous materials training for first responders; raise maximum penalties for violations of rail safety regulations; ramp up inspections on all trains, including those carrying hazardous materials; and audit federal rail inspection programs, the summary says.

“The bipartisan RAIL Act would bring forth effective and responsible changes to the way the rail industry operates to help prevent railway accidents and keep communities across America safe,” said Rep. Johnson.

“The RAIL Act will implement effective measures to keep our communities safe, hold railroad corporations accountable, and ensure that no American living close to our 140,000 miles of railroad track has to worry about the threat of a toxic derailment in their backyard,” added Rep. Sykes.