Bill > SB419

This bill establishes the Train Derailment Emergency Grant Program in response to the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment on February 3, 2023, to provide financial assistance to individuals and small businesses within a 15-mile radius of the incident who have been negatively impacted. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will administer the program, creating a grant application process and establishing the Train Derailment Emergency Grant Fund within the State Treasury. Grants can be awarded for various expenses and losses directly resulting from the derailment, including medical expenses, loss of income, property value reduction, business expenses, relocation costs, and property repair or decontamination. Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania residents and small businesses (defined as having fewer than 100 employees) located in the designated disaster zone who can provide actual proof of being negatively impacted. The fund can be financed through state and federal appropriations, interagency agreements, gifts, monetary damages, settlements, and penalties related to the derailment. Applicants who submit false information will be required to repay the grant with 8% interest, and grants will be awarded on a pro-rata basis after application review. The program allows ongoing applications but will not cover expenses incurred before the February 3, 2023 derailment.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=419