AB287: Bill Text

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 287

April 4, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Hahn, Nerison, Pocan, Molepske, Hines, Mursau, Sherman, Musser, Lehman and Albers, cosponsored by Senators A. Lasee, Breske, Hansen and Lassa. Referred to Committee on Highway Safety.

AB287,1,4 An Act to repeal 192.25 (1); to amend 192.25 (2) and 192.25 (3) (b); and to create 192.25 (3) (am) of the statutes; relating to: the minimum number of railroad employees required to be present in the cab of the lead control locomotive when the railroad train or locomotive is in motion.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law prohibits any railroad train or locomotive from operating in this state unless the crew consists of at least two qualified persons. A locomotive engineer must operate the control locomotive at all times that the railroad train or locomotive is in motion. The other crew member may dismount the railroad train or locomotive when necessary to perform switching activities and other duties in the course of his or her job. The Office of the Commissioner of Railroads, by rule, may grant an exception to these requirements if the exception will not endanger the life or property of any person. Also, under state law, these requirements do not apply to the extent they are contrary to or inconsistent with federal law.

In Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. v. Doyle, 186 F.3d 790 (7th Cir. 1999), the federal court of appeals held that these requirements are preempted by federal law except to the extent a train crew of at least two persons is required for over-the-road train operation (hauling train cars between terminals). However, the requirement of a train crew of at least two persons for over-the-road train operation may also be preempted if the Federal Railroad Administration enters into an agreement with a railroad that expressly permits the railroad to conduct over-the-road train operation with a one-person crew.

This bill requires that two crew members be present in the cab of the lead control locomotive at all times that the railroad train or locomotive is in motion, except when the railroad train or locomotive is in motion for the purpose of switching. This requirement does not apply to a railroad train or locomotive being operated as part of a rail passenger system providing commuter rail service, intercity rail passenger service, urban rail transit service, or excursion rail service, unless the railroad train or locomotive is carrying freight only.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB287, s. 1 Section 1. 192.25 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

AB287, s. 2 Section 2. 192.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB287,2,15 192.25 (2) No person operating or controlling any railroad, as defined in s. 85.01 (5), may allow the operation of any railroad train or locomotive in this state unless the railroad train or locomotive has a crew of at least 2 individuals. One of the individuals shall be a certified railroad locomotive engineer. The other individual shall be either a certified railroad locomotive engineer or a qualified railroad trainman. A certified railroad locomotive engineer shall present in the cab and shall operate the lead control locomotive at all times that the railroad train or locomotive is in motion. The other crew member shall be present in the cab of the lead control locomotive at all times that the railroad train or locomotive is in motion, except when the railroad train or locomotive is in motion for the purpose of switching. When the railroad train or locomotive is not in motion, the other crew member may dismount the railroad train or locomotive when necessary to perform switching activities and other duties in the course of his or her job.

AB287, s. 3 Section 3. 192.25 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB287,3,3 192.25 (3) (am) Subsection (2) does not apply to a railroad train or locomotive, other than a railroad train or locomotive carrying freight only, that is being operated as part of any of the following rail passenger systems:

AB287,3,5 1. Commuter rail service operated by the state or any local governmental unit, as defined in s. 85.055 (1).

AB287,3,6 2. Intercity rail passenger service.

AB287,3,7 3. Urban rail transit service.

AB287,3,9 4. Excursion rail service provided only for pleasure or recreation and having the same daily origination and destination point.

AB287, s. 4 Section 4. 192.25 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB287,3,13 192.25 (3) (b) Subsection (2) This section does not apply to the extent that it is contrary to or inconsistent with a regulation or order of the federal railroad administration.

AB287, s. 5 Section 5. Initial applicability.

AB287,3,16 (1) This act first applies to railroad trains or locomotives operated on the effective date of this subsection.

AB287,3,17 (End)