HB 862 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Railroads - Required Crew for Movement of Freight

HB 862 requires railroad companies operating freight trains on tracks shared with passenger or commuter trains in Maryland to maintain a minimum crew of two people. This applies to most freight movement but excludes hostler service and yard operations for utility employees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident, with railroad companies held solely responsible for employee violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, contingent on similar legislation passing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Vetoed

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Vetoed May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Railroads - Required Crew for Movement of Freight → Third - Railroads - Required Crew for Movement of Freight · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was formally adopted and assigned a chapter number, moving it from a draft proposal to an enacted law. The substantive policy content regarding railroad crew requirements remains unchanged, but the effective date was delayed from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2056, contingent on similar laws being passed in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Scope change

The bill's applicability is now conditional; it will only take effect if three other states pass similar legislation by a specific future date.

TIMELINE

Added a committee report indicating the bill was favorably reviewed and adopted by the House.

Extended the effective date from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2056, to allow time for other states to pass matching laws.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from a bill title to a formal chapter number, indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages.

REQUIREMENT

Added a contingency clause requiring similar legislation in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia before the law takes effect.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision that automatically nullifies the law if the other states do not pass similar legislation by the extended deadline.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

35–9

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

3 Yea 9 Nay 1

69% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Aug 3, 2026

Vetoed

Gubernatorial Veto Override (Legislative date: 8/3/2026) - Chapter 879

executive

Aug 3, 2026

Vetoed

Overridden

lower

May 22, 2026

Vetoed

Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Hettleman) Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (35-9-5)

senate

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (99-35-8)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors