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InfrastructureH.R. 928Not Yet VotedComments

Railway Safety Act of 2025

Official title: To enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, and for other purposes.

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How Congress Voted

What Happened in Congress?

Pending

Not yet voted on the floor.

Where the Bill Stands

  1. Introduced, done
  2. Committee, current stage
  3. Floor Vote, not yet
  4. Outcome, not yet

What This Bill Does

This bill addresses safety requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials.

Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue safety regulations for trains carrying hazardous materials to require that rail carriers or shippers (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advance notice and information about the hazardous materials; (2) reduce blocked rail crossings; and (3) comply with certain requirements regarding train length and weight specifications, track standards, speed restrictions, and response plans.

DOT must also establish requirements for wayside defect detectors. These are used by railway systems alongside the tracks to detect defects and failures (e.g., wheel bearing failures). Current federal regulations do not require their use, but federal guidance does address their placement and use. Under the bill, DOT must issue regulations establishing requirements for the installation, repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of wayside defect detectors for each rail carrier operating a train carrying hazardous materials.

The bill also

  • increases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations;
  • requires DOT to update rail car inspection regulations and audit the federal inspection programs;
  • establishes a statutory requirement for freight trains to have at least two crew members, with exceptions;
  • phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2027;
  • expands training for local first responders;
  • imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers; and
  • authorizes grants to improve railway safety.

Sponsors

Related Documents

Bill on Congress.govWeb Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Timeline

  1. Library of CongressIntroduced in House
  2. House floor actionsReferred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  3. House committee actionsReferred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
  4. Introduced
  5. Committee

Comments

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