As a railroad inspector, Marshall County Republican Delegate Charlie Reynolds brings a unique perspective to the issue of rail safety. And given what we’ve learned over the past month out of East Palestine, Ohio, a bill Reynolds sponsored to give authority to the state Public Service Commission to fine railroads for safety violations deserves lawmakers’ attention.

House Bill 3059 passed the House 89-3, and is awaiting action in the Senate. The legislation calls for more inspectors to be out assessing safety conditions on the rail lines servicing Class 1 railroad operators, and for the PSC to levy fines when safety’s not being followed.

Given what we’ve witnessed over the past month in Ohio, senators need to move on this. Now.