SB 191 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Railroad safety; minimum train crew used in movement of freight.

Summary
Railroad safety; minimum train crew; movement of freight. Requires a crew of at least two qualified individuals on all trains, locomotives, or light engines used in connection with moving freight except in use for hostler or utility service. The bill requires the State Corporation Commission to include in an existing report the number of probable violations of federal regulations related to railroad safety investigated by the Commission's Division of Utility and Railroad Safety and reported to the Federal Railroad Administration for enforcement. This bill is identical to HB 25.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally approved and assigned to Chapter 549 of the Virginia Acts of Assembly, with the effective date updated to April 13, 2026. The core legislative content regarding railroad safety and minimum train crew requirements remains unchanged from the enrolled version.
TIMELINE

Added the specific approval date of April 13, 2026, replacing the generic 'Approved' line.

TECHNICAL

Added the official chapter number (Chapter 549) to the act's title page.

Removed the generic '2026 SESSION' header line.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 39
Feb 13, 2026
D Democratic20
19 Yea 1
95% Yea
R Republican19
15 Yea 4
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 549 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB191ER)
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce (15-Y 6-N)
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A, Chair: Yea)
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (8-Y 7-N)
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Rereferred from Transportation to Commerce and Labor (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 9, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors