Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Nehls
Introduced
Summary
Boost rail safety for high‑hazard trains. This bill would tighten speed and equipment rules for trains carrying explosive or flammable cargo, expand detection and inspection programs, require stronger tank cars, and broaden hazardous‑materials emergency preparedness and grants.
Show full summary
- Rail workers and crews would face a mandatory two‑person crew rule for Class I freight trains in most situations and more frequent inspections, audits, and qualification requirements for inspectors and locomotive personnel.
- First responders and local communities would gain mandatory real‑time electronic train‑consist data, weekly county commodity‑flow reports, toll‑free hotlines for blocked crossings, and more coordinated hazardous‑materials response planning and training.
- Railroads and manufacturers would be required to phase out or retrofit older tank cars for Class 3 flammable liquids by December 31, 2027 unless they meet DOT‑117 standards, trigger an 18‑month GAO manufacturing capacity review, and become eligible for major grant programs including $1.5 billion per year for crossing elimination.
*It would authorize roughly $6.1 billion in federal funding through FY2029 for grants, pilots, and R&D, and would increase federal outlays.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Bigger railroad crossing grants
If enacted, the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program would be authorized at $1.5 billion per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. If enacted, projects serving bus routes to or within one mile of a school could get up to 85 percent federal funding. States must submit summaries of their most dangerous grade crossings to be eligible.
National defect detector and inspection rules
If enacted, the Secretary would create national standards and a defect detector program with a rule within two years. Rail carriers would submit risk‑based detector network plans within one year of the final rule and implement approved plans within three years. The bill would require new audits, more frequent inspections, training updates, and allow penalties where carriers fail safety duties.
Minimum two‑person freight crews
If enacted, Class I freight trains would need at least two crew members: a certified conductor and a certified engineer. Some limited legacy and non‑mainline exceptions would apply, but not for high‑hazard trains or trains 7,500 feet or longer. Railroads could still seek waivers under existing law.
Tank car phase‑out and capacity review
If enacted, non‑DOT‑117 family tank cars could not carry certain Class 3 flammable liquids after December 31, 2027, unless they meet DOT‑117 family specs. If enacted, the GAO must report within 18 months on North American manufacturing and retrofit capacity and the Secretary could delay the phase‑out to December 31, 2028 if capacity or interstate commerce would be harmed.
Public reporting of train weight
If enacted, railroads would have to report trailing weight tonnage for any train involved in a reportable accident or incident. If enacted, the FRA would publish summaries of incidents and accidents categorized by train length and weight on its safety website.
Toll‑free blocked crossing hotline
If enacted, each railroad carrier would have to set up a toll‑free phone line within 180 days to receive reports of blocked highway‑rail grade crossings. Carriers must give the number to the Secretary, who would post it online. The Secretary could waive the toll‑free rule for some Class II and III carriers if cost is prohibitive.
AskRail connectivity pilot and notice
If enacted, States that get certain federal rail funds would have to tell first responders about the AskRail app within 180 days and certify they did. If enacted, the FRA would run a connectivity pilot with 1 to 4 partners and authorize $25 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. FRA would report to Congress after the pilot on effectiveness.
Expanded hazardous‑materials preparedness grants
If enacted, hazardous materials preparedness grants would allow more uses, including drills, gap analyses, trainers, and volunteer wage replacement. If enacted, the federal share would rise to 90 percent for States and 100 percent for Tribes, and States would have to pass at least 70 percent of funds to eligible local entities within 180 days (with some exceptions). PPE purchases would be limited to 50 percent of subsection funds through September 31, 2026.
Hazardous materials emergency fund expansion
If enacted, the bill would rename and refocus the hazardous materials fund and set aside amounts until it reaches $50 million, with a reset trigger at $20 million. The Secretary must set up an Emergency Response Assistance program within one year and could make up to $10 million available quickly after a major hazardous materials incident when the responsible party lacks an acceptable reimbursement plan.
Real‑time hazardous train data sharing
If enacted, Class I railroads would have to generate and share real‑time electronic lists of hazardous materials on trains. They would give secure access to fusion centers and must not withhold train consist information from responders. Railroads would also send weekly county estimates of high‑hazard trains and update when volumes change by 25 percent or more.
Confidential rail close‑call system
If enacted, NASA and the FRA would run a confidential system for railroad close‑call reports. Class I railroads and Amtrak would have to join within 60 days and take part for two years. Reporters could attach audio, video, and GPS and the system could trigger remedial safety actions based only on reports.
Higher civil penalties for rail safety
If enacted, civil penalty ranges for safety violations would rise. General violations could face $5,000 up to $1,000,000. Violations that cause death, serious injury, imminent hazards, or major property loss could face fines up to $5,000,000. Penalties can double for repeat or deliberate violations.
Worker inspection and warning protections
If enacted, railroads would have to give warning equipment like whistles, air horns, flags, or lanterns to watchmen and lookouts within one year. If enacted, verbal warnings would only count when the worker is within arm's reach. If enacted, employees could not be forced to rush safety inspections and must be allowed time to complete required checks.
Simpler emergency response applications
If enacted, the Secretary would simplify applications for Emergency Response Assistance funds, provide technical help, and create a standard application form. If enacted, the Comptroller General must report by September 30 on program effectiveness and timeliness of assistance.
Federal rail and tank car R&D funding
If enacted, the FRA would get $22 million for grants to research defect detectors and derailment prevention. If enacted, PHMSA would get $5 million for work on stronger tank cars, valves, and related safety features. The funds would support research and development, not direct household payments.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nehls
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov