The 136th General Assembly of Ohio has passed a resolution urging the United States Congress to support and pass H.R. 971, known as The Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act. This resolution comes in response to the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023, which resulted in significant contamination of the local environment and ongoing health concerns for residents. The resolution highlights the alarming frequency of train derailments across the country, with over 4,000 incidents reported since 2020, and emphasizes the need for enhanced rail safety measures.

The RAIL Act aims to improve rail safety through several key provisions, including increased inspections of trains, stricter safety placard requirements for hazardous materials, and higher penalties for safety violations. Additionally, it mandates that the Secretary of Transportation develop new regulations based on findings from relevant investigations and requires a minimum of two-person crews for all Class I freight and passenger trains. The Ohio General Assembly's resolution calls for swift action from Congress to ensure the safety of American families and prevent future rail-related tragedies.