H-0151.1
HOUSE BILL 1862
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Santos, Wylie, Reed, Pollet, Doglio, Hackney, Parshley, Berry, Ramel, Paul, Zahn, Peterson, Ormsby, and Duerr
Read first time 02/06/25. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to the length of trains on railroads; adding a new chapter to Title 81 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that railroad carriers are continuously increasing the length of trains on the railroads operating within our state. Trains of 10,000 to 15,000 feet in length are regularly traversing our state, while trains greater than 20,000 feet in length have been operating within this state and their operation has become commonplace in other states.
(2) Excessively long trains operating over the unique and widely varying geographical terrain in Washington create a significant safety risk to the public and the environment, especially considering that railroad infrastructure and operational technologies do not exist to ensure the safe movement of excessively long trains. The state has an obligation and the authority to ensure railroad operational safety, security, and, in the event of a hazardous material incident, to support first responder activities, the safety of our communities, the expeditious response of emergency services, and the health and welfare of passengers, the public, and railroad employees.