2026 SESSION

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

26108315D

HOUSE BILL NO. 25

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor

on February 23, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Anthony)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7 of Chapter 13 of Title 56 a section numbered 56-425.1, relating to railroad safety; minimum train crew; movement of freight.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 7 of Chapter 13 of Title 56 a section numbered 56-425.1 as follows:

§ 56-425.1. Minimum train crew; movement of freight.

A. No railroad company shall use or allow the use of any train, locomotive, or light engine in connection with the movement of freight unless such train, locomotive, or light engine has a crew consisting of at least two qualified individuals. No provision of this section shall apply to the use of a train, locomotive, or light engine for hostler or utility service.

B. The Commission shall include in its annual report to the Governor required by § 12.1-4 the number of probable violations of 49 C.F.R. § 218.123 investigated by the Commission's Division of Utility and Railroad Safety and reported to the Federal Railroad Administration for enforcement.