2024 -- S 2736

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LC005533

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OPERATION OF RAILROADS

GENERALLY

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, F. Lombardi, Ciccone, DiPalma, Quezada, Burke, and
Tikoian

     Date Introduced: March 08, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-7 of the General Laws entitled "Operation of Railroads

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Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     39-7-13. Minimum crews required.

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     (a) No train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight may be

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operated unless it has a crew consisting of at least two (2) persons. For the purposes of this section,

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the phrase "train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight" shall not include

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hostler service or utility employees.

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     (b) Any company, individual, or business entity that willfully violates this section may be

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subject to a fine as follows:

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     (l) Not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), nor more than one thousand dollars

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($1,000), for a first offense;

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     (2) Not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than five thousand dollars

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($5,000), for a second offense committed within three (3) years; and

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     (3) Not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), nor more than ten thousand dollars

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($10,000), for a third offense and for subsequent offenses committed within a period of three (3)

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years.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OPERATION OF RAILROADS

GENERALLY

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     This act would provide that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement

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of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least two (2) persons. This act would

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include the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business entity for violation of the

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act.

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     This act would take effect on October 1, 2024.

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