Railroad Paperwork Sails Through Unchallenged: FRA Seeks OMB Nod
Published Date: 5/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review a paperwork request about collecting info from people and businesses. They already gave the public 60 days to share thoughts but got zero comments. This means the process is moving forward with no extra costs or delays for those involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No New Costs or Delays from FRA Paperwork
The Federal Railroad Administration asked OMB to review a paperwork collection and published a 60-day public comment period starting March 12, 2025. FRA received zero public comments, and the notice states the process is moving forward with no extra costs or delays for the people and businesses involved.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16593, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
2026-16592, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
2026-15724, High-Speed Train Noise Emission Standards
This NPRM seeks to amend the noise emission regulations to address the unique noise emission characteristics of trains operating at speeds exceeding 160 miles per hour (mph). Specifically, the proposed regulation would provide an alternative standard for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 160 mph, up to 220 mph, and also provide a special approval process for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 220 mph. This alternative noise emission standard and compliance process would effectively remove an existing regulatory barrier to the railroad industry for high-speed rail operations, while continuing to protect public health and welfare. Existing noise emission limits for all train operations at speeds up to 160 mph would continue to apply, and these existing limits would remain available for demonstrating compliance at higher speeds as well.
2026-15605, Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers and Conductors; English Language Proficiency and Other Requirements
FRA proposes to amend its regulations governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers and conductors to establish English language proficiency as a requirement for a railroad carrier to certify and recertify locomotive engineers and conductors. FRA also proposes that each railroad carrier conducting a triennial examination of skill performance, and an annual operational monitoring observation for locomotive engineers, which are current requirements, conduct those examinations and observations without engaging energy management systems that limit the need for a locomotive engineer to operate the throttle or braking systems. Further, FRA proposes to codify limitations on operations at the southern border, including a 10 route-mile geographic limitation, to ensure domestic training, testing, and certification requirements for Mexican crew members are adequate. In addition, FRA proposes changes to clarify that a locomotive engineer or conductor's territorial qualification is limited to the specific direction of travel traversed during the qualification process.
2026-14324, Notice of Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association wants to add 8 more railroads to a special rule that changes work-hour limits for train workers. This affects those railroads and their employees by allowing some flexibility in hours, with safety training included. The public can share their thoughts by September 14, 2026, before any decision is made.
2026-14328, Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
CSX Transportation asked the Federal Railroad Administration to let some of their long-haul trains run up to 1,785 miles before needing certain brake tests and inspections. This change affects trains on approved routes with special safety detectors and aims to keep safety strong while making operations smoother. People can share their thoughts on this by September 14, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-08794, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review a paperwork request about collecting info from people and businesses. This is part of a routine check to make sure the forms aren’t too much work. No one sent comments during the 60-day public review, so things are moving forward without changes.
Next: 2025-08799, Star America Fund II GP, LLC (on Behalf of Star America Infrastructure Fund II, LP and Star America Infrastructure Fund II (Parallel), LP) and Star America Rail Holdco, LLC-Control Exemption-Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad, LLC; Bucyrus Industrial Railroad, LLC; Cornhusker Railroad, LLC
Star America Fund II GP and Star America Rail Holdco are taking control of three small railroads: Belpre Industrial Parkersburg, Bucyrus Industrial, and Cornhusker Railroad. This change means Star America will now fully manage these railroads, but it won’t affect how they connect or operate with other railroads. The deal is moving forward smoothly with no big money changes or delays expected.