S 576 118th Congress Senate 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 1, 2023 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Dec 13, 2023

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.

Dec 13, 2023

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

May 10, 2023

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Mar 16, 2023

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-361.

Mar 1, 2023

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Mar 1, 2023

Introduced in Senate

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
provides funding for research and development to improve railway safety.