Railroad Limo Safety Improvement act passes Texas legislature

----- Original Message -----

From: Terry Briggs

To: Undisclosed Receipents

Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 4:24 PM

Subject: Railroad Limo Safety Improvement act passes Texas legislature

 

To:       Division Officers – Texas

CC:      General Chairmen, BLET Auxiliary, Designated Council, BLET National Division

 

Brothers and Sisters,

 

I am very pleased to announce that the Railroad Limo Safety Improvement bill, SB481, finally passed the legislature on May 12. The bill was sent to the Governor on May 14. The Governor has 10 days from that date to either sign or veto the bill, or he can allow the bill to become law without his signature. There is no reason for the Governor to veto this legislation and it is expected that he will sign the bill.

 

SB481 strengthens the regulation of contract carriers (railroad limo companies) who transport railroad operating crews in a vehicle designed to transport 8 passengers or less, including the driver, when operating intrastate. A copy of the bill is attached. The underlined text highlights the changes being made in current law.

 

Current Texas regulations for contract carriers include a limit on a driver’s hours of service, vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements, and certain driver qualifications.

 

In addition to the current regulations, SB481 requires contract carriers to set up a program to screen drivers for drugs and alcohol upon employment, post accident and randomly. The regulations requiring a drug and alcohol screening program to be set up will include important provisions which protect the limo drivers’ rights. Additionally, contract carriers will be required to maintain a minimum of $1.5 million in liability insurance. Finally, the legislation requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to inform contract carriers as to what regulations apply to their business.

 

The passage of this bill culminates efforts that the Texas State Legislative Board (TSLB) of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) initiated in August 2006. Identical legislation was filed last session (2007-2008) but the bill was killed by the (then) Chair of the House Calendars Committee. The legislation was filed in response to a contract carrier accident in Texas in August 2005 that claimed the life of one person and severely injured two BNSF railroad employees, ending their railroad carriers. The conductor injured in this accident is dependent upon others for his care, and will continue to be so for the rest of his life. In a post accident drug screen, the driver of the vehicle transporting the rail crew tested positive for methamphetamines. Additionally, the vehicle being driven was covered by only $55,000 in liability insurance.

 

I want to acknowledge several people who helped pass this legislation. State Representative Marc Veasey (D), Fort Worth, filed the bill in the House. Senator John Carona (R), Dallas, filed the Senate version. Both legislators and their staff helped immensely.

 

UTU State Legislative Director, Connie English, and Vice Director, David Arterburn, both helped with the essential day to day lobbing. In addition, the Texas AFL-CIO and the members of the United Labor Legislative Committee (ULLCO) provided the TSLB Chairman with invaluable advice and support.

 

Finally, over 30 BLET Division Legislative Representatives lobbied for SB481 during a two day TSLB meeting held on March 3^rd and 4^th, 2009 in Austin.

 

Contract carriers travel 30 million miles yearly in Texas transporting BLET and UTU members to and from trains and between terminals. Thanks to the combined efforts of everyone mentioned above, and all of our members who contacted legislators, SB481 has finally passed making on the job travel by contract carrier much safer in the future.

 

Fraternally,

 

Terry Briggs, State Legislative Chairman

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - IBT

7083 Baker Blvd.

Richland Hills, TX 76118

817-285-7668

chairman@tslb.org