Legislation originally introduced after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine in February 2023 to support first responders to train derailments has been reintroduced, officials said.
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced their legislation, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, that would financially support organizations responding to the derailments that may see their budgets drained paying the costs of derailments for things like worker overtime, replacement of damaged equipment or purchasing supplies.
“After a train derailment, it’s local governments and first responders who are too often left to pay the bill, clean up the mess, and protect the public—that’s just not right,” Deluzio said. “It is time to make the railroads pay for the messes they cause in our communities. This bill will help communities across the country better prepare for future derailments with improved information-sharing and will cover the cost of damaged equipment, overtime pay, and more—all paid for by the companies that ship and carry these materials. No community should be left footing the bill for corporate negligence and incompetence.”
The bill would create a fund paid for by companies that ship and carry hazardous materials and provide emergency responders, firefighters and law enforcement with financial resources to cover the cost of managing train derailment situations. The legislation would also compel railroads to notify local officials and emergency response groups when hazardous material is moving through their communities.
In their updated version of the bill, Deluzio and Fitzpatrick included language that would hold rail companies accountable for disasters by increasing fines levied against rail companies.