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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

Safe Freight Act of 2023

Introduced: September 1, 2023 Introduced by: Deluzio, Christopher R. Democratic · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 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
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 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.
What's happening now March 22, 2023

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

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 576 Related bill Railway Safety Act of 2023
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Lobbying activity 18

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

See all 18 filings →
 Cosponsors 17
All 17 Democratic 6 Republican 5
Payne, Donald
· Sep 1, 2023
D'Esposito, Anthony
· Aug 25, 2023
 R
Lawler, Michael
New York · Aug 22, 2023
 D
Ryan, Patrick
New York · Aug 22, 2023
 D
Dean, Madeleine
Pennsylvania · Jul 18, 2023
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jul 18, 2023
Santos, George
· Jul 18, 2023
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Jun 30, 2023
 D
Garamendi, John
California · Jun 14, 2023
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jun 12, 2023
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Jun 7, 2023
Allred, Colin
· Jun 5, 2023
Chavez-DeRemer, Lori
· Jun 5, 2023
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · May 25, 2023
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · May 17, 2023
Posey, Bill
· May 17, 2023
 R
LaLota, Nick
New York · Mar 21, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1674: Railway Safety Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-1674/
MLA
"H.R. 1674: Railway Safety Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-1674/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1674, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-1674/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1674: Railway Safety Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-1674/)
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