TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is seeking a regulation which would require two-person crews for trains operating within the state, calling it a “commonsense, necessary measure” for the safety of communities and crew members.
Kelly, a Democrat, said in a press release that she has directed the state’s Department of Transportation to propose the rule, which would apply to all railroads within the state but would be subject to at least a 60-day public comment period before taking effect.
The Kansas City Star reports the regulation has no enforcement mechanism.
It is not the first new regulatory effort in the state this year. A bill introduced in the Kansas Senate this year sought to limit train lengths to 8,500 feet [see “Kansas legislative committee holds hearing …,” Trains News Wire, March 9, 2023], but it was stalled in committee when the legislature concluded its 2023 session on April 27.
Kelly’s press release says Kansas would become the ninth state to require two-person crews. The regulation will likely face headwinds over questions of federal jurisdiction in matters of interstate commerce, although a bill to require two-person crews is currently making its way through the U.S. Senate [see “Senators propose tighter regulations …,” News Wire, March 1, 2023].
