H.R. 4095: Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025, proposes amendments to U.S. federal law concerning the duty hours of yardmaster employees in the railroad industry. The key points of the bill are as follows:

Purpose of the Bill

The main goal of this legislation is to establish regulations regarding the maximum working hours for yardmasters, similar to existing rules for train employees. Yardmasters are responsible for overseeing and coordinating train operations within a rail yard, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Changes to Existing Law

The bill includes several amendments to Title 49 of the United States Code, specifically:

• Inclusion of Yardmaster Employees: The bill expands the definition of employees regulated under section 21103 to include yardmaster employees, which had previously applied only to train employees. This means that the same protections regarding duty hours that apply to train employees will now also apply to yardmasters.
• Definition of Yardmaster Employee: The bill explicitly defines a yardmaster employee as someone who supervises and manages the control of trains and engines within a rail yard.
• Conforming Amendments: The existing sections of the law will be updated to include references to yardmaster employees, ensuring that the new regulations are clearly integrated into the legal framework.

Impact on Duty Hours

The bill aims to impose duty hour limitations on yardmaster employees, meaning that these workers will not be allowed to work beyond certain hours to protect their health and safety, similar to existing regulations governing train employees. The specifics of the hour limitations would need to be defined in further regulatory actions following the passage of the bill.

Implementation and Oversight

Once enacted, the changes would require oversight and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the new limits on duty hours. This could involve regular inspections or reporting requirements for railroad companies regarding the working hours of yardmaster employees.

Relevant Companies

• UNP (Union Pacific Corporation) - As one of the largest rail networks in the United States, this company may be significantly impacted by the new regulations concerning yardmaster employee hours, potentially affecting staffing and scheduling practices.
• CSX (CSX Corporation) - As a major provider of rail transportation, CSX would have to adapt its operational strategies to align with the new duty hour limitations for yardmasters.
• BRK.B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - BNSF Railway) - This company, owning one of the biggest rail networks, may face logistical changes and potential cost implications due to the enactment of duty hour restrictions for yardmasters.