MN HF3135

Establishes definitions for "listed sensitive area" (areas designated in federal Clean Water Act contingency plans), "local incident commander" (senior official controlling discharge site operations), and "unit train" (trains with more than 25 tanker railcars carrying oil or hazardous substances).

Requires railroads operating unit trains and pipeline companies to provide training to fire departments along their routes with initial training by June 30, 2016, and refresher training every three years thereafter, covering hazard assessment, response strategies, and decision-making for fire suppression versus evacuation.

Mandates railroads and pipelines communicate annually with county/city emergency managers and fire departments beginning June 30, 2015, and submit prevention and response plans to the Pollution Control Agency by June 30, 2015, with updates every three years.

Requires discharge response capabilities including providing a qualified employee within one hour, deploying monitoring equipment within three hours, delivering containment equipment within eight hours for 10% of worst-case discharge, and full worst-case discharge capability within 60 hours, with full-scale drills every three years.

Assigns the Pollution Control Agency duties to review preparedness plans, assist local officials and companies with hazard identification and containment strategies, facilitate mutual aid arrangements, and conduct inspections and enforcement to ensure adequate environmental protection.