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Rep. Brand’s Legislation to Improve Railway Safety Procedures Passes in House Transportation Policy Bill

Thursday, April 4, 2024

NEWS RELEASE 

Rep. Jeff Brand 

Minnesota House of Representatives 

District 18A – 651-296-8634– rep.jeff.brand@house.mn.gov 

501 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT:  Marlee Schlegel 

651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov 

April 4, 2024 

 

Rep. Brand’s Legislation to Improve Railway Safety Procedures Passes in House Transportation Policy Bill 

 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Tonight, the Minnesota House passed the 2024 Transportation Policy Bill. Included in the package is legislation authored by Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL – Saint Peter) to expedite railroad safety procedures in the event of an incident involving the discharge of oil or other hazardous substances.  

 

Currently, upon discovery of an incident, crews are required to notify the Fire Chief before contacting emergency services. This bill changes the requirement and allows contact to be made through the local 911 call center, shortening the window between the incident and response. 

“In the face of an emergency, the first call should be for help,” said Rep. Jeff Brand. “By making this reporting adjustment, we’ll safe precious moments, potentially stopping a disaster from getting worse.” 

 

Currently, Rep. Brand is carrying several other pieces of legislation to improve public and worker safety on Minnesota’s railways, including limiting train lengths, setting labor standards, and investing in wayside detectors.  

 

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