Freight trains would need two qualified crew members, with exceptions

Railroad carriers would have to use at least two qualified crew members to operate a train or light engine moving freight. The rule covers trains and light engines used to move freight. Crew members must be qualified railroad employees involved in operating the train or engine; utility employees and contractors do not count. The rule would not apply to helper service or locomotives moving within a rail yard. It would not apply when a train moves to load or unload freight at no more than 10 miles per hour. The section would not conflict with federal rules for railroad crew staffing. The section would take effect only after the attorney general notifies the revisor of statutes that a final judgment affirming the federal two-person crew rule has been entered.

A person or railroad carrier that willfully breaks the crew rule would face a fine. The fines apply to a person or railroad carrier that willfully violates the two-person crew requirement. The penalties would apply only after the section takes effect following the required attorney general notice. The penalties would apply only after the section takes effect following the required attorney general notice.