"Competing Bills To Address Safety of Oil Transport"

"SEATTLE -- Washington lawmakers on Monday considered competing measures that try to address potential risks as more crude oil is shipped by rail into the state."

"The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard testimony on a mostly Republican-backed bill that would study the safety of transporting oil and hazardous materials by train, including reviewing gaps in local, state and federal oil-spill response.

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee took testimony on a competing Democratic-sponsored bill that is favored by environmental groups who say it provides more transparency and calls for more immediate action."

Phuong Le reports for the Associated Press February 10, 2014.