HR 1674 118th Congress House Transportation and Public Works Accidents Administrative law and regulatory procedures Appropriations Civil actions and liability Department of Transportation First responders and emergency personnel Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Infrastructure development Railroads Research and development State and local government operations Transportation programs funding Transportation safety and security User charges and fees

Railway Safety Act of 2023

Introduced: March 21, 2023 Introduced by: Deluzio, Christopher R. Democratic · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Mar 22, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Mar 21, 2023

Referred 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.

Mar 21, 2023

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Railway Safety Act of 2023

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 advanced 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 program,
requires a minimum two-person crew for certain freight trains,
phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2025 (four years sooner than required under current law),
expands training for local first responders,
imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers, and
authorizes grants to improve railway safety.