Review - S 844 Introduced – Hazardous Train Event

Last month, Sen Casey (D,PA) introduced S 844, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act. The bill would establish the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund which would provide funds to emergency response personnel in the event of a newly defined ‘Hazardous Train Event’ declared by FRA. The monies for the fund would come from a levy on hazardous materials rail shippers and railroads. No other funding is authorized.

 

The bill would add a new §20904, Hazardous Train Events, to 49 USC. It would also amend 49 USC §5108(g).

Moving Forward

Casey is not a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, nor are his two cosponsors. This means that it is unlikely that there will be enough influence to see this considered in Committee. The shipper and railroad fees to support the Fund will ensure that railroads and chemical manufacturers will oppose this bill. If the bill were considered in Committee, it may pass along partisan lines, but it will not have enough support to be considered by the full Senate.

 

For more details about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-844-introduced - subscription required.