LOWELLVILLE, Ohio (WKBN) — Senator Sherrod Brown is in the Valley pushing his new legislation aimed at improving rail safety. It comes after the February train derailment in East Palestine.

Monday morning, Brown joined local business owners and rail union workers in Lowellville to discuss his Railway Safety Act of 2023, which was introduced along with Ohio Senator JD Vance and Pennsylvania’s two senators.

The bill includes new safety requirements for trains carrying hazardous chemicals. It also has new rules for the wayside detectors that can alert to a mechanical problem on a train. It also raises fines for safety violations.

“It shouldn’t take a train derailment for elected officials to put partisanship aside and work together for the people we serve,” Brown said. “Not serving CSX and Norfolk Southern and other railroads but serving communities.”

Lowellville is a community with two sets of tracks through the village and it has condos being built near both sets of tracks.

“That’s attraction to some people and that’s what, we have an attraction here. We’re going to be a walkable, livable community. The most important part is to keep this railroad safe and active,” said Lowellville Mayor Jim Iudiciani.

Brown hopes the Railway Safety Act can reach the senate floor in May.