HOUSE MEMORIAL 45

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF FEES COLLECTED FROM RAILWAY CARRIERS DOING BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO, TO COMPARE FUNDING FORMULAS CHARGED TO RAILWAY CARRIERS BY OTHER STATES AND TO STUDY POSSIBLE FEE INCREASES AND ADDITIONAL STAFFING TO ENHANCE RAILROAD SAFETY MEASURES IN NEW MEXICO.

 

     WHEREAS, with increasing train crashes and derailments, railroad safety regulation is more important than ever; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a major state for rail travel, and both BNSF railway and Union Pacific have north-south-east-west interstate lines running through the state, and more than one hundred sixty-five trains travel through New Mexico each day; and

     WHEREAS, passenger trains include Amtrak, the New Mexico rail runner express, four short line railroads and one narrow gauge tourist railroad; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government is responsible for state railroad safety regulation and has a program that offers states the opportunity to participate in federal investigative and enforcement activities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico participates in the federal program, which pays for the education and training of two railroad investigators who are employees of the transportation division of the public regulation commission; and

     WHEREAS, the two investigators respond to rail accidents, monitor safety and work with railroads, government entities and the public throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, railway carriers doing business in New Mexico are charged utility and carrier inspection fees based on the gross receipts from business transacted in New Mexico from the preceding calendar year; and

     WHEREAS, fees are deposited into the general fund and disbursed to the transportation division through legislative appropriations; and

     WHEREAS, adequate funding is needed for the railroad bureau of the transportation division and for railroad investigators; and

     WHEREAS, it would be instructive to compare the funding formulas used by other states to fund railroad safety offices, employee salaries and safety equipment; and

     WHEREAS, the railroad bureau of the transportation division is responsible for monitoring and investigating rail traffic safety and would benefit from additional funding and staff;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative finance committee be requested to review the adequacy of fees collected from railway carriers doing business in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee compare funding formulas charged to railway carriers by other states; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee study possible fee increases and additional staffing of the railroad bureau of the transportation division of the public regulation commission to enhance railroad safety measures in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee provide a report of its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 1, 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the public regulation commission, the director of the transportation division of the public regulation commission and the chair of the legislative finance committee.

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