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Minutes for SB271 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Limiting the length of trains to 8,500 feet on any main line or branch line and providing for minimum distance for storage of rolling stock.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 8, 2023
The Chair renewed the hearing on SB271.
Pat Hubbell, Kansas Railroad Association, testified as an opponent to the bill (Attachment 4). Mr. Hubbell referenced his printed testimony and recounted how the railroad industry has changed over the years; he focused on the innovation of shipping containers, which have required railroads to adjust to these changes by creating intermodal centers to more effectively accommodate the containers. The second largest intermodal center is in the Kansas City area. He explained that the only way railroads can logistically handle the expanded business is by creating longer trains. Mr Hubbell noted that currently there are 84 container ships on the seas, each handling 24,000 containers. The economy of scale requires longer trains..
Mr. Hubbell responded to members' questions:
- Container weight is minimal compared with coal and grain, so the increased weight of longer trains has no effect on track safety.
- Shortening trains will require more crews and engines, raising the expense per train.
- Because of economics, shorter trains will mean having more trucks on the highway.
- Safety is a key value for railroads.
Cory Davis, Director, Multimodal Transportation and Innovation, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), presented neutral testimony (Attachment 5). He explained that KDOT works with railroads primarily to administer grant programs and to coordinate joint projects. This bill would authorize both law enforcement and the Secretary of KDOT to enter railroad property to inspect railroad equipment, facilities, and operations; such authorization will require increased staffing. Mr. Davis requested that the references to KDOT be removed from the bill.
The Chair referenced the following written-only testimony:
Proponents:
- Austin Cooper, Citizen, Newton, Kansas (Attachment 6)
- Jake Miller, Executive Director, Working Kansas Alliance (Attachment 7)
- Jerod Finlayson, Citizen, Hollenberg, Kansas (Attachment 8)
- Robert Riley, Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Road (Attachment 9)
- Steven Titus, Employee, Union Pacific Railroad (Attachment 10)
Opponent;
- Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 11)
The Chair closed the hearing on SB271
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:09 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023.
