HB 3696
AN ACT relating to the provision by railroad companies of hazardous
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires railroad companies to provide quarterly hazardous materials incident training to fire protection personnel, volunteer firefighters, certain emergency medical services personnel, and peace officers at no cost to the participants. The training must be similar to the company's internal training, offered at the railroad's expense, and available virtually upon request. This legislation aims to improve emergency response preparedness and safety for first responders in areas where hazardous materials are transported by rail.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the provision by railroad companies of hazardous material incident training to certain fire and emergency medical BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 193, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 193.003 to read as follows: Sec. 193.003. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT TRAINING FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND PEACE OFFICERS. (a) At least quarterly, a railroad company subject to Section 193.002 shall offer training on the handling of incidents related to hazardous materials of the type the company transports to: (1) fire protection personnel, as defined by Section (2) volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas; (3) emergency medical services personnel certified by the Department of State Health Services who: (A) are not affiliated with a hospital; and (B) serve geographic areas not served by: (i) a municipal fire department under Chapter 342, Local Government Code; or (ii) a county fire department under Chapter 352, Local Government Code; and (4) peace officers, as defined by Article 2A.001, Code (b) Training under Subsection (a) must: (1) be provided at the railroad company's expense; (2) be substantially similar to training provided by a company employee under Section 193.002(c)(5); and (3) on request, accommodate virtual participation. SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Transportation Commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement Section 193.003, Transportation Code, as SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the provision by railroad companies of hazardous
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