CLEVELAND, May 27 — On May 23, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed the Railroad Limo Safety Improvement bill into law. Passage of the bill culminates efforts that the Texas State Legislative Board (TSLB) of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) initiated in August of 2006.

The Railroad Limo Safety Improvement bill, SB481, strengthens the regulation of contract carriers (railroad limo companies) who transport railroad-operating crews in a vehicle designed to transport eight passengers or less, including the driver, when operating intrastate.

In addition to the current regulations, this law requires contract carriers to set up a program that screens drivers for drugs and alcohol upon employment, and establishes post-accident and random drug testing. The regulations require the establishment of a drug and alcohol screening program that will include important provisions to protect the limo drivers’ rights. Furthermore, 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 of the regulations that apply to their business.

The original legislation came about after an August 2005 contract carrier accident in Texas that claimed the life of one person and caused severe, career-ending injuries to two BNSF railroad employees. 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 post accident drug testing, the driver of the vehicle, responsible for transporting the rail crew, tested positive for methamphetamines. Additionally, the vehicle being driven was covered by only $55,000 in liability insurance.

Texas State Legislature Board Chairman Terry Briggs was instrumental in lobbying for the passage of the bill. He thanked State Representative Marc Veasey (D), Fort Worth, who filed the bill in the House, and Senator John Carona (R), Dallas, who filed the Senate version.

“Both legislators and their staff helped immensely,” Briggs said.

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

“Over 30 BLET Division Legislative Representatives lobbied for SB481 during a two day meeting on March 3 and 4 in Austin,” Briggs said. “Their efforts were key.”

Contract carriers travel 30 million miles in Texas yearly, transporting BLET and UTU members to and from trains and between terminals.

“With the combined efforts of everyone mentioned above, as well as all of the BLET members who contacted legislators, SB481 has finally passed, providing much safer on-the-job travel for all future contract carriers,” Briggs said.

The law becomes effective on September 1, 2009.

A copy of the bill is on the BLET website at:
http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/SB481.pdf

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