MN SF3187

Requires railroads to provide training to fire departments and emergency managers on hazardous substance response, with initial training by June 30, 2016, and refresher training at least every three years.

Establishes specific response timeframes for railroads following discharge incidents: 15 minutes to contact emergency managers and fire chiefs, 15 minutes to assist incident commanders upon responder arrival, one hour to provide qualified company representative, and three hours to deliver monitoring equipment.

Creates new Section 219.055 establishing incident emergency response requirements including traffic reviews, emergency response planning coordination, and real-time information sharing through the Minnesota Fusion Center beginning July 1, 2024.

Increases railroad assessment from $2,500,000 to $4,000,000 annually and allocates $750,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 in subsequent fiscal years from the railroad and pipeline safety account to grade crossing safety projects.

Expands rail safety inspector positions from four to six and increases Pollution Control Agency funding from $104,000 to $140,000 annually for railroad discharge preparedness activities, effective July 1, 2023.