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House adds two state rail safety inspector positions after derailment concerns
Summary
Lawmakers approved funding for two rail safety inspector positions at the Public Service Commission after testimony about recent derailments and a decade-old legislative audit recommending more inspectors.
Lede: The House approved an amendment adding two state rail safety inspector positions to the Public Service Commission budget, citing recent derailments and a 2015 audit that urged more inspectors.
Nut graf: The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Zach Zolnikov, gained floor approval over objections that federal responsibility and data questions made state hiring premature. Supporters pointed to a 2015 Legislative Audit Division conclusion that two inspectors were insufficient and noted multiple derailments in 2024 and 2025.
Body: Rep. Zach Zolnikov told the House he was resubmitting half of an earlier request: "If you're following along, earlier this session, I had a bill... This amendment is half of what was requested in that bill. So we are only requesting 2 of the track inspectors." He noted seven derailments in 2024 and an additional derailment in 2025 to argue for added capacity.
Rep. Nave, who chaired the transportation subcommittee, opposed the amendment on procedural and effectiveness grounds, saying the safety role is primarily federal and that adding two state inspectors would not cover Montana's miles of track. "This is a federal function... we weren't sure that just 1 was gonna be gonna make that difference," Nave said, acknowledging the state's large geography and existing federal inspection roles.
Supporters cited a 2015 Legislative Audit Division report urging more inspectors and argued that prevention would be cheaper than responding to derailments. Rep. Tuss cited the audit and the economic and safety consequences of derailments. After debate, the House approved the amendment on a recorded vote, 60 yes to 39 no.
Ending: The PSC will receive authority to add two rail inspector positions. The state and federal agencies will need to coordinate to determine inspection responsibilities and avoid duplicative efforts while addressing public-safety concerns along Montana lines.
