Maryland’s Senate is expected to advance legislation requiring two-person train crews, bringing the measure closer to the desk of Governor Wes Moore. Senate Democrats said on 3 April that the bill remains part of a broader push to back labor and reinforce transport safety during the current legislative session.
SB 156, introduced by Senator Arthur Ellis, would exempt hostler and yard movements but impose penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for a second within three years. A companion bill in the House already passed in March by a wide margin.
Supporters say the measure is designed to ensure faster and safer responses in emergencies. Labor representatives, including SMART-TD officials, described the bill as proactive legislation that could save lives on Maryland’s rail network.
The effort is part of a wider national trend. New Jersey adopted similar two-person crew legislation earlier this year, though the Association of American Railroads has challenged that law, arguing that states cannot regulate interstate commerce in this way. Maryland’s move therefore adds another chapter to the growing tension between state safety initiatives and federal oversight of rail operations.
