Most Maryland transportation operators don't realize a new state law affects how freight trains operate on shared rail corridors—and what that means for their business.
Most Maryland trucking and transportation owners have never heard of HB862. That's a problem, because a provision buried in this railroad-focused bill could affect how freight moves through the state starting in 2026—and it carries real financial penalties for violations.
Here's what you need to know.
HB862 requires that any railroad company operating freight trains in Maryland on a rail corridor shared with high-speed passenger or commuter trains must staff those trains with a minimum of two crew members. This isn't about trucks. It's about the rail infrastructure that moves freight through Maryland and how it's staffed.
The provision appears in Section 5.5–110(E)(3) on Page 2 of the bill. It's straightforward: if a freight train operates on a corridor that also carries passenger or commuter service, two people must be on that crew. No exceptions listed.
If you operate a trucking or transportation company in Maryland, you may wonder why a railroad crew law matters to you. The answer: rail corridors are critical infrastructure for freight movement. If rail service becomes less efficient or more expensive due to staffing requirements, those costs can ripple through the entire transportation network. Shippers may shift loads, rates may change, and service reliability could shift.
More directly, if your company contracts with or depends on rail freight services in Maryland, understanding these rules helps you anticipate operational changes and plan accordingly.
Violations are treated seriously. A railroad company that willfully violates the two-person crew requirement faces civil penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense, or up to $25,000 for any repeat violation within three years. Importantly, the railroad company is solely liable—not individual agents or employees, but the company itself bears the financial responsibility.
The law is effective October 1, 2026. But there's a catch: the provision is contingent on New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia enacting substantially similar legislation. In other words, Maryland won't enforce this alone. The law only activates if neighboring states pass comparable crew requirements for their own freight rail operations.
This contingency matters. It means the October 2026 date is not guaranteed. You should monitor whether those three states move forward with their own bills. If they don't, the Maryland requirement may not take effect at all.
If your company relies on freight rail service in Maryland or the Northeast corridor, stay informed. Track whether New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia advance similar legislation. If they do, expect the Maryland requirement to activate in October 2026, which could affect rail service costs and availability.
For detailed guidance specific to your operation, the Maryland Department of Transportation and your industry association can provide business-specific resources on how this law may apply to your supply chain and logistics planning.
Source: HB862, Section 5.5–110(E)(3), State of Maryland.