H.R. 1633 · 118th Congress
RAIL Act
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 118th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
R
JohnsonSponsor15 cosponsors · 8 D, 7 R
D
Beatty
TB
R
Balderson
SB
D
Brown
MC
R
Carey
DJ
R
Joyce
MK
D
Kaptur
GL
D
Landsman
MM
R
Miller
ES
D
Sykes
MT
R
Turner
RK
D
Krishnamoorthi
MD
D
Dean
VB
R
Buchanan
MM
R
Molinaro
AE
D
Espaillat10 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill addresses safety requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Mar 17, 2023
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, these regulations must establish requirements that safety placards be able to withstand heat in excess of 180 degrees.
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,
- phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2028 (one year sooner than required under current law),
- expands training for local first responders, and
- imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: RAIL Act
Also known as: Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act
Latest action (Jan 29, 2024): ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Sykes asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson (OH), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works · Origin: House · Introduced: Mar 17, 2023
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.