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119-hr-7748119th CongressWALLET

Railway Safety Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

In Committee

Summary

Strengthening rail safety for hazardous materials by tightening tank car standards, inspection rules, defect detection, and crew requirements to reduce derailment risks and improve emergency response.

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  • Families and communities near rail lines get tighter protections: unified speed limits (maximum 50 mph generally and maximum 40 mph for high-hazard trains with 20 or more flammable-liquid cars in High Threat Urban Areas unless cars meet DOT-117/117P/117R or listed specs), real-time train consist sharing with first responders, and a phase-out of older tank cars by December 31, 2027 (possible delay to 2028).
  • Rail workers face operational and oversight changes: a minimum two-person crew on Class I freight trains with limited exceptions, expanded pre-departure and periodic inspection standards, breath or body fluid testing for equipment inspectors, and higher civil penalties (baseline $5,000 to $1,000,000 per violation with larger penalties for severe harms).
  • States, Tribes, and first responders gain more funding and planning tools: a new Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Fund, grants covering 90 percent of State costs and 100 percent of Tribal costs, virtual training options, and required gap analyses and triannual emergency-response plan coordination.

*Authorizes $25.0 million for FRA research, appropriates $5.0 million for PHMSA R&D, and allows up to $2.0 million from unobligated funds, indicating an increase in federal spending for rail and hazardous materials safety.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stricter rules for high-hazard trains

If enacted, the bill would add clear numeric definitions for what counts as a "high-hazard" train. It would ban older tank cars from carrying certain flammable liquids beginning December 31, 2027, unless tank cars meet DOT-117 (or 117P/117R) specs; the Secretary may delay to December 31, 2028 based on a government capacity report due within 18 months. The bill would also limit all trains to 50 mph and require high-hazard trains of 20 or more flammable-liquid cars to travel no faster than 40 mph in high-threat urban areas unless all tank cars meet DOT-117 or better. These changes would apply nationwide and decide which trains must follow several new safety rules.

Faster help and funding for responders

If enacted, the Secretary would set up an emergency response assistance program within one year to give immediate money to communities after a major hazardous-materials incident. The program could make up to $10,000,000 immediately available from a special set-aside to reimburse eligible responders for PPE, overtime, extra operational costs, and baseline health checks up to $1,000 per person, with documentation and repayment rules. The bill would require Class I railroads to file comprehensive hazardous-materials emergency plans in a standard format, expand preparedness grant uses (with up to 50% for PPE until September 30, 2031), and require States to pass at least 70% of certain grants to local entities within 180 days. The bill would also require an annual hazardous-materials registration fee (small businesses $250–$500; others $500–$5,000) and make responsible parties liable to repay disbursed emergency funds.

Safer inspections, crews, and penalties

If enacted, the bill would require rapid FRA audits of inspections and change inspection rules and training timelines. Railroads would have to name inspection locations and ensure designated inspectors are available, and the government would set minimum rules for periodic freight-car inspections and extra daily locomotive checks. The bill would require two-person crews on most Class I freight trains, with narrow exceptions, and it would raise civil penalty maximums sharply, including higher caps when violations cause death or severe harm. The bill also directs OPM and the DOT Inspector General to review railroad job series and FRA safety-culture and workforce practices.

More emergency train data and signals

If enacted, Class I railroads would have to create accurate, real-time electronic lists showing which hazardous materials are on each train and securely share that data with fusion centers and emergency officials. Railroads would send county-level reports estimating expected high-hazard trains per week and update those reports when volume changes by 25 percent or more. The bill would bar railroads from withholding train-consist information from first responders and law enforcement during hazardous-materials incidents. The FRA would also convene the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee within 30 days to study emergency brake signals and produce initial recommendations within 90 days.

Better defect detectors and research

If enacted, the Secretary would start rulemaking on defect detector networks within one year and issue a final rule within two years. Class I railroads would submit risk-based detector plans and put approved plans in place within three years. The bill authorizes $25 million for FRA grants on defect-detector research and $5 million for PHMSA tank-car safety research to support improved detection and prevention. The rule would set spacing targets, testing and maintenance standards, and allow civil penalties for serious noncompliance.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/26/2026

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 10/26/2026

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/2/2026

  • Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/2/2026

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 3/2/2026

  • Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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