[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RAILROAD AND TRANSIT SABOTAGE PREVENTION ACT

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                          HON. SUSAN MOLINARI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 1997

  Ms. MOLINARI. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing H.R. --, the 
Railroad and Transit Sabotage Prevention Act of 1995. A very serious 
train accident in Arizona in 1995, which is believed to be the result 
of sabotage, exposed the need for closing the gaps in Federal law 
concerning criminal penalties for sabotage and other forms of 
deliberate endangerment in rail and transit operations.
  This bill would make interference with or deliberate mimicking of a 
rail signal a criminal offense, which would bring the rail statutes in 
line with existing laws prohibiting interference with aviation signals 
and communications. Penalties would include severe fines and up to 20 
years imprisonment.
  The bill would also include mass transit operations for the first 
time in Federal criminal laws prohibiting sabotage of rail operations. 
This makes applicable to transit crimes the existing rail penalties of 
up to 10 years imprisonment and severe fines, with life imprisonment or 
the death penalty available if the sabotage causes a death.
  In addition, the bill makes willfully causing the release of 
hazardous materials in transportation subject to severe fines and up to 
20 years imprisonment, with life imprisonment or death penalty 
available if the release causes a death. Most of the Nation's hazardous 
materials--essential to many industrial processes--move by rail. The 
consequences of an accident are horrendous, including severe 
environmental damage and threat to human health and safety. These new 
criminal penalties will strengthen the arsenal of law enforcement 
authorities in dealing with deliberate and malicious acts which result 
in the release of toxic materials.
  Furthermore, the bill also makes it a Federal crime to carry firearms 
or explosives aboard a passenger train or into a rail passenger 
facility without appropriate permission. Penalties include severe fines 
and up to 20 years imprisonment. This brings sanctions for arms and 
explosives threats to rail transportation in line with laws addressing 
arms and explosives aboard ships. The bill includes exemptions for 
weapons of law enforcement and armed forces personnel.

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