SANTA FE, N.M. — A committee of the New Mexico House of Representatives is slated to consider legislation that would require railroads to install wayside hot-bearing and dragging-equipment detectors at least every 10 miles.
HB 146, introduced by Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), is one of three bills set for consideration today (Feb. 27, 2025) by the House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee.
The bill would require railroads to have the detectors in place and report their location and other details to the state Department of Transportation by Jan. 1, 2027. It also requires crew members to report safety violations, prohibits railroads from taking retaliatory action against those who do, and enables the state DOT to investigate such reports and assess fines of $5,000 to $25,000 for violations.
Resolution of the legislation should come quickly; this year’s legislative session began Jan. 21 and concludes March 22.
Perhaps the railroads could get the FRA to have New Mexico install 4 quadrant crossing gates at all grade crossings by 2027 with massive fines for lack of maintenance or failure to enforce traffic laws with respect to crossings.
Don’t object to this proposal, as long as the state FULLY funds the cost of installation and upkeep. And the cost of the added paperwork reports. But they won’t.