BILL NUMBER: S9407
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the railroad law, in relation to prohibiting freight
trains in excess of eight thousand five hundred feet in length
 
PURPOSE:
Prohibits freight trains in excess of eight thousand five hundred feet
in length to minimize the risk of train derailments and danger to life
in the event of such an incident.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1, Amends the railroad law by adding a new section 51-b to
prohibit freight trains in excess of eight thousand five hundred feet in
length from traveling on a railroad within the state. Provides that the
commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish a waiv-
er process to permit the operation of freight trains in excess of eight
thousand five hundred feet for situations as deemed appropriate by such
commissioner.
Section 2. Effective date,
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The East Palestine derailment has highlighted a glaring need for strict-
er freight rail safety standards to reduce the risk of train derailments
and the danger it poses to the public. According to the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO), freight trains in the U.S. have been
getting longer-nearly 3 miles in some cases. This has raised concerns
that braking and other operations can be more complex for these longer
trains. Additionally, longer freight trains may block traffic more often
at road-crossings, impeding emergency responders and prompting unsafe
pedestrian behavior (such as climbing through stopped trains).
This legislation prohibits freight trains in excess of 8,500 feet in
length from traveling on a railroad within the state and allows for a
waiver process to permit the operation of freight trains in excess of
8,500 feet only for situations deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of
the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The precautions set forth in this legislation could have prevented the
worst impacts of the recent incident and can protect residents and rail
employees in the future. Iowa, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Wash-
ington have already introduced similar legislation limiting freight
trains to 8,500 or 7,500 feet in length. New York must join this effort
to ensure the safety of our localities and the public.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023: S.6925 - Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
On the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective imme-
diately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.