HB 642 Summary

• Establishes the Safe Freight Act requiring all trains to operate with a minimum crew of at least two individuals.

• Violations constitute a Class C misdemeanor with fines ranging from $250-$500 for first offense, $500-$2,500 for second offense within three years, and $2,500-$5,000 for third or subsequent offense within three years.

• Exempts freight trains performing helper service, tourist/scenic/historic operations, lite locomotives, trains in rail yards under hostler supervision, and trains being loaded/unloaded at speeds of 10 mph or less from the two-person crew requirement.

• Allows the Alabama Public Service Commission to exempt small railroad carriers with 15 or fewer employees when trains operate at 15 mph or less on track grades less than one percent over three miles or two percent over two miles.

• Requires a minimum of two crew members when transporting materials poisonous by inhalation (such as anhydrous ammonia) or 20+ loaded freight cars containing flammable gases, explosives, or other hazardous materials.