HR 971 119th Congress
RAIL Act
To enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, and for other purposes.
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Introduction Congress.gov
Introduced
Introduced in the House.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
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Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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| Date and time | Record | Official detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IntroductionIntroduced | Introduced in the House. | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionReferred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H11000 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · House floor actions · Code H11100 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionIntroduced in House | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · Library of Congress · Code Intro-H | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionIntroduced in House | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · Library of Congress · Code 1000 | Congress.gov | |
| Text versionIntroduced in House | A dated text-version record is available. | Congress.gov |
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Congressional Research Service
CRS summary
Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL ActThis 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 (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.Further, DOT must update rail car inspection regulations and audit related inspection programs. This includes prohibiting a railroad from limiting the time required for an employee to complete a railcar, locomotive, or brake safety inspection.The bill alsoincreases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations;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, 2030;expands training for local first responders; andimposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
Official documents
Text versions
- Introduced in HouseFeb 4, 2025