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Mass. bill would require two-person crews on freight trains, set fines for violations
Summary
A bill filed in the Massachusetts legislature would add a requirement that freight trains and light engines operate with at least two crew members, specify exclusions for hostler and utility employees, establish graduated fines for repeat violations, and take effect July 1, 2025.
A bill filed in the Massachusetts General Court would require that any train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated by a crew of at least two people and would establish graduated fines for companies that willfully violate the rule. The filing appears as Senate Bill No. 2341, presented Jan. 15, 2025, by Michael D. Brady and accompanied by a petition from Michael O. Moore.
The bill, titled "An Act relative to 2-person train crew size," would add a new Section 8 to Chapter 161C of the Massachusetts General Laws. Under the proposed language, the two-person minimum would not apply to "hostler service or utility employees." The measure sets penalties for willful violations at $250–$1,000 for a first offense, $1,000–$5,000 for a second offense committed within three years, and $5,000–$10,000 for a third or subsequent offense within three years.
If enacted as filed, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2025, according to the bill text. The filing identifies the measure as part of the work of the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025–2026).
The bill text does not include legislative debate, committee referral, or votes; the filing itself is the official submission of the measure. The transcript notes Michael D. Brady as the presenter and lists Michael O. Moore on the petition; no further statements or floor discussion are included in the document provided.
Details in the bill text: - Statutory change: add Section 8 to Chapter 161C, General Laws, requiring a minimum crew of two for "train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight." - Exclusion: explicitly excludes hostler service and utility employees from the definition. - Penalties: first offense $250–$1,000; second offense within three years $1,000–$5,000; third and subsequent offenses within three years $5,000–$10,000. - Effective date: July 1, 2025.
Next steps for the measure—committee referral, public hearings, floor action, or amendments—are not listed in the filing. The bill as filed establishes the proposed statutory language and penalties; any change to those provisions would require further legislative action by the General Court.
