Skip to main content
HR 971 119th Congress House Transportation and Public Works

RAIL Act

Introduced: February 6, 2025 Introduced by: Sykes, Emilia Strong Democratic · Ohio See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL Act

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 (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 also

  • increases 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; and
  • imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
What's happening now February 4, 2025

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

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Lobbying activity 29

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

See all 29 filings →
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 5 Republican 2
D
Elfreth, Sarah
Maryland · Mar 10, 2025
 R
Miller, Max L.
Ohio · Feb 6, 2025
 D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · Feb 4, 2025
 D
Brown, Shontel M.
Ohio · Feb 4, 2025
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Feb 4, 2025
 D
Landsman, Greg
Ohio · Feb 4, 2025
 R
Rulli, Michael A.
Ohio · Feb 4, 2025
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 971: RAIL Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-971/
MLA
"H.R. 971: RAIL Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-971/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 971, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-971/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 971: RAIL Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-971/)
Report a problem