Ohio senators introduce rail safety bill after fiery crash

By JULIE CARR SMYTH and JOSH FUNK
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has proposed legislation that would make railroads, like the one involved in last month’s fiery crash and toxic chemical release in Ohio, subject to a series of new federal safety regulations and financial consequences. Regulators also announced a plan Wednesday to step up inspections of the tracks that carry the most hazardous materials. Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican JD Vance are key co-sponsors of the bill, introduced Wednesday. It responds to regulatory concerns raised by the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine. The legislation would subject all trains carrying hazardous materials to additional safety regulations and state notification requirements. It would increase penalties for violations.