Bill Text: NY S06923 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requires railroad corporations to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection when a freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling on tracks within the state including, but not be limited to, a review of tracks, safety equipment, including brakes, and train cars.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-05-21 - referred to transportation [S06923 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-S06923-Introduced.html

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                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                          6923

                               2023-2024 Regular Sessions

                    IN SENATE

                                      May 15, 2023
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation

        AN ACT to amend the railroad law,  in  relation  to  requiring  railroad
          corporations  to  conduct  a  comprehensive  safety  inspection when a
          freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling  on  tracks
          within the state

          The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:

     1    Section 1. The railroad law is amended by adding a new section 72-a to
     2  read as follows:
     3    § 72-a. Freight train inspections. 1. Every railroad corporation which
     4  operates any freight train within the state shall conduct  a  comprehen-
     5  sive  safety  inspection  when a freight train is parked in a train yard
     6  prior to traveling on tracks within the state.  Such  safety  inspection
     7  shall include, but not be limited to, a review of tracks, wheels, safety
     8  equipment,  including  brakes and bearings, and train cars.  The depart-
     9  ment of transportation shall compare such safety inspection results with
    10  the inspection the railroad corporation conducted prior  to  originating
    11  the entire planned trip.
    12    2.  Every railroad corporation which operates any freight train within
    13  the state shall have a minimum of two safety inspectors on  either  side
    14  of  a  freight  train  as  it  leaves  a rail yard to observe for safety
    15  issues.
    16    3. The commissioner shall promulgate all rules and regulations  neces-
    17  sary for the implementation of this section.
    18    §  2.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
    19  have become a law; provided, further, that  this  act  shall  be  deemed
    20  repealed if any federal agency determines in writing that this act would
    21  render New York state ineligible for the receipt of federal funds or any
    22  court  of  competent jurisdiction finally determines that this act would
    23  render New York state out of compliance with federal law or  regulation;

         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD10657-02-3
        S. 6923                             2

     1  and  provided,  further,  that  the commissioner of transportation shall
     2  notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the  occurrence  of
     3  such determination in order that the commission may maintain an accurate
     4  and  timely  effective data base of the official text of the laws of the
     5  state of New York in  furtherance  of  effectuating  the  provisions  of
     6  section  44  of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public offi-
     7  cers law.  Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or  repeal
     8  of  any  rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act
     9  on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and  completed  on  or
    10  before such effective date.