ST. PAUL, Minn. – In rare unanimity the Minnesota Senate passed a massive 86-secion transportation bill with new requirements for railroad safety. These include a 1-1/2 mile cap on train length – about half as long as some railroads are putting on their mainlines.There also are technical dates, among them: Train crews need to notify fire departments immediately through 911, not fire chiefs, when an incident or derailment involves a release of oil or other hazardous materials. The goal: Shortening the window between the incident and response. The bill also tightens requirements for wayside devices to detect overheated n on freight car wheels. Also in the bill are more or lees routine updates driver licensing and regulations regarding automobiles, bicycles and motorcycles.
Earlier: House favors clipping safety video for older drivers
Uber and Lyft
Missing from the Senate’s omnibus transportation bill was a proposal to bat local governments from regulating transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft. The proposal, from Senator Zach Duckworth, R-Minneapolis, was aimed at Minneapolis regulations on freelance taxi services. Senate President Bobby Jo Champion, D-Minneapolis, ruled Duckworth’s amendment as outside the scope of the transportation bill.
The road ahead
The House version of Omnibus Transportation legislation was passed last week. The two versions have inconsistencies and in some cases deal with issues. A joit Senate-House committee will be asked to create a single bill for reconsideration in both house.;