Wyoming lawmakers deny railroad security officers legislation

State lawmakers defeated legislation Thursday that would have given railroad security officers the power to arrest, issue citations and use firearms when necessary. Current law allows companies to name reserve deputies in each county. The deputies are trained to handle emergency situations on rail cars or at loading stations. With 900 miles of track, the Burlington Northern and Sante Fe and the Union Pacific railroads only have one trained security officer each. Wyoming’s current security laws differ from the federal government’s. Every other state, excluding Minnesota, complies with Washington’s rules and gives railroad companies significant jurisdiction to police their railroads and railcars. The bill died in the Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee by a vote of 5 to 4.