PRINTER'S NO. 4446
No. 824 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY GANNON, B. SMITH, PHILLIPS, CRAHALLA, DERMODY,
GEORGE, FREEMAN, WANSACZ, MUSTIO, PISTELLA, SATHER, JAMES,
SAYLOR, BEBKO-JONES, PETRONE, REICHLEY, RAPP, SIPTROTH,
FAIRCHILD, SAINATO, CRUZ, BEYER, CAPPELLI, CLYMER, HESS,
MAJOR, READSHAW, VEON, TIGUE, SOLOBAY, COHEN, CALTAGIRONE,
LEDERER, LEACH AND GOODMAN, JUNE 30, 2006
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JUNE 30, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
2 conduct a study of this Commonwealth's rail transportation
3 systems to assess preparedness in the event of a natural
4 disaster, terrorist attack or hazardous materials incident.
5 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the need to
6 provide safety and security to residents of this Commonwealth in
7 the preparedness, prevention and response to natural disasters,
8 terrorist attacks or hazardous materials incidents associated
9 with our rail transportation system; and
10 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's extensive rail transportation
11 infrastructure is essential to the flow of goods across this
12 Commonwealth and the nation, and a major natural disaster,
13 terrorist attack or hazardous materials incident within this
14 Commonwealth could have serious national repercussions; and
15 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's government is a leader among the
16 states in investing in railroad development; and
17 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth contributes to the economic
1 vitality of railroads through Rail Freight Assistance Program
2 grants funded through the General Fund appropriation to the
3 Department of Transportation, grant assistance in the State
4 capital budget and low-interest loans through State
5 infrastructure banks; and
6 WHEREAS, The residents of this Commonwealth depend on
7 railroads to deliver goods, provide employment and stimulate the
8 economy; and
9 WHEREAS, In the case of any disasters, attacks or incidents,
10 the prepared responsiveness of the transportation industry and
11 its employees will be of the utmost importance; therefore be it
12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
13 Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to evaluate this
14 Commonwealth's preparedness to meet safety and security needs of
15 the public in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack
16 or hazardous materials incident on our railways; and be it
17 further
18 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
19 conduct a study of railroad infrastructure as relates to the
20 review and evaluation of the following:
21 (1) The continuing safety and security of cargo imported
22 into and through this Commonwealth on railroads, including
23 the distribution chain of freight from ports to trucking to
24 railroads and backup systems required to ensure the safe
25 operation of critical elements in the event of an incident.
26 (2) The need to improve the security of rail
27 infrastructure and facilities, terminals, tunnels, rail
28 bridges, rail switching areas and other rail-related areas
29 posing significant risks to public safety and the movement of
30 commerce in this Commonwealth.
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1 (3) Training of railroad employees in terrorism response
2 activities, including provision for protective clothing,
3 participation in exercises with county or regional task
4 forces and deployment of chemical and biological weapons
5 detection equipment.
6 (4) Passenger and cargo security protection systems,
7 including, but not limited to, procedural policies, screening
8 of passengers and cargo, communication systems and emergency
9 response planning;
10 and be it further
11 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
12 make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Speaker
13 of the House of Representatives and to the Transportation
14 Committee and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
15 Committee within one year of the adoption of this resolution,
16 with interim reports as it deems necessary.
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