# 119-s-3987: Secure Tracks Act

119-s-3987, Secure Tracks Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3987
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3987
- Congress: 119
- Title: Secure Tracks Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-03-04
- Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Strengthening track inspection standards**. This bill would set firm rules for regular visual inspections and make automated Track Geometry Measurement System checks part of the safety rules. - Workers and inspectors: Main line track used at Class 3 speeds or higher would need visual inspections at least twice per week with at least one calendar day between checks. Qualified inspectors would have sole authority to order repairs and to permit movements on track taken out of service. - Rail operators and routes: The bill would require scheduled automated TGMS runs tied to track class and annual gross tonnage. Frequencies range from once per year on some low-volume lines to multiple runs per year for higher-class or high-tonnage lines and special requirements for higher-speed classes and crossovers. - Regulators and safety system: The Federal Railroad Administration would have one year to update part 213 to fold automated results into the rulebook and to require immediate remediation for any deviation found by visual or automated inspection.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] (R-MO), 2026-03-04T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More frequent automatic track checks: benefit, medium. This bill would require the Secretary to update federal track rules within one year so qualifying track geometry measurement systems (TGMS) run on set schedules. The rules would set minimum TGMS frequencies by track Class and by whether the line carries more than 15,000,000 gross tons a year. For e…
- More visual inspections by inspectors: benefit, medium. This bill would require that all main line track used at Class 3 speeds or higher get visual inspections at least twice each week by a qualified inspector, with at least one calendar day between inspections. If an inspector or any detection method finds a defect, the bill would require immediate re…
- No waivers that weaken safety checks: benefit, medium. This bill would bar the Secretary from granting waivers, exemptions, or regulation changes if an alternate inspection or monitoring method cannot detect all defect conditions that FRA rules recognize as unsafe. The prohibition would apply even if another law might otherwise allow a waiver. The bill…

## Related bills

- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act

## Sources
- [119-s-3987 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3987)

## Related
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3987 (as of 2026-09-10).