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Minnesota senators consider law to let MnDOT expand state rail inspectors from six to 10
Summary
A bill by Sen. Kupik would authorize Minnesota to increase its complement of state rail inspectors from six to 10 as a contingency against potential federal staffing cuts; supporters cited safety concerns, industry witnesses disputed an imminent federal cut and raised other threats to rail safety funding.
Sen. Kupik introduced Senate File 1171 to the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on March 10, 2025, asking the panel to authorize the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to increase the number of state rail inspectors from six to 10.
The bill’s sponsor said the change is intended as a contingency in case of cuts to federal rail safety staff. “We are just not sure what the federal government is planning and doing in terms of potential cuts to rail inspectors,” Sen. Kupik said, arguing that Minnesota communities with frequent freight traffic need additional assurance that equipment and track are safe.
Joel Mueller, representing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, testified in favor of the bill. Mueller said railroads have cut personnel and used less-trained employees for inspections, and that “this trend is a direct…
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