What does Preamble of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, and for other purposes.'

What does DEFINITIONS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used within the title. Generally, terms used in this title have the same definitions as those found in section 20155 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 102(a). The term 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of Transportation.

What does SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH-HAZARD TRAINS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 20155 of Title 49, United States Code, to define requirements for high-hazard trains. A 'high-hazard train' is defined as a train transporting specific quantities of flammable liquids, toxic materials, radioactive waste, explosives, or flammable gases. The Secretary is required to issue regulations within one year of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026’s enactment, rescinding existing regulations and revising speed limits for high-hazard trains. Rail carriers operating high-hazard trains must comply with existing regulations for high-hazard flammable trains. Class I railroads must generate and share accurate, real-time electronic train consist information with fusion centers and provide commodity flow reports to state and tribal agencies. State emergency response commissions must provide requested information from Class I railroads to political subdivisions and public agencies. Railroads are prohibited from withholding train consist information from first responders and emergency officials. The Secretary must evaluate and update operational requirements for high-hazard trains to ensure safe transportation of hazardous materials. Class I railroads must submit hazardous materials emergency response plans consistent with the National Response Team ‘One Plan’.

What does ENSURING THE SAFETY OF LONG TRAINS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Secretary to evaluate safety concerns related to long freight trains, referencing reports from the Comptroller General and the Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021. The Secretary must update existing safety regulations if necessary, considering the impact of train length and weight on the safe transportation of high-hazard trains, and complying with Executive Order 12866. If the Secretary fails to address recommendations from the referenced reports, a justification for inaction must be submitted to the Senate and House committees. Railroads are required to report the weight trailing tonnages of trains involved in reportable accidents or incidents. The Federal Railroad Administration will publish a summary of reportable incidents and accidents on its Rail Safety Data website, categorized by train length and weight.

What does BLOCKED HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section directs the Secretary to establish an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of frequently blocked highway-rail grade crossings. The study will examine impacts to railroad and community safety, financial impacts, freight network efficiency, and community impacts resulting from blocked crossings. The National Academy of Sciences will appoint members with engineering or rail expertise, who are not affiliated with railroad carriers or funded by them. The study must identify causes for blocked crossings and practical solutions to prevent them. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress containing the study's results within two years of the Act's enactment. Up to $2,000,000 is allocated from fiscal year 2026 appropriations to fund the study. Section 22909 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to include bus routes to or near schools as eligible for consideration under the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, with a potential increased federal share of up to 85%. Each railroad carrier must establish a toll-free telephone service for reporting blocked highway-rail grade crossings within 180 days of enactment. The Secretary may waive the toll-free requirement for smaller rail carriers if deemed cost-prohibitive or unnecessary.

What does INSPECTIONS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section amends subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, to prohibit railroads from limiting the time required for railcar, locomotive, or brake inspections. The Secretary is required to amend pre-departure inspection requirements for Class I railroads within 120 days of the Act's enactment, ensuring inspectors are available and freight cars are inspected as soon as practicable. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must review and amend regulations related to locomotive inspections, including ensuring appropriate training and requiring an additional daily inspection for Class I railroads. The Secretary must initiate audits of railcar, locomotive, and train brake system inspection compliance within 60 days of enactment, considering factors such as training, procedures, and communication of defects. Audits of Class I railroads must occur at least once every 5 years, while a limited number of Class II and III railroads will be audited annually, excluding tourist operations. If deficiencies are identified during audits, railroads must eliminate them after an opportunity to address the issue. The Secretary must consult with railroads and their employees during audits and publish an annual report summarizing audit findings and regulatory updates. The section clarifies that it does not grant the Secretary authority to interpret or alter collective bargaining agreements or interfere with the Railway Labor Act.

What does EMERGENCY BRAKE SIGNALS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section directs the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator to convene a meeting of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). The RSAC meeting's purpose is to consider regulatory safety tasks related to emergency brake signals. The RSAC will evaluate existing regulations (part 232 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) concerning end-of-train and head-of-train device communications. The RSAC will also assess whether National Transportation Safety Board Safety Recommendations R-20-028 and R-20-029 have been adequately addressed. The RSAC will consider whether more frequent communication checks and signal repetition would enhance rail safety. Within 90 days of the convened meeting, a working group of the RSAC should develop initial recommendations and a work plan for implementation.

What does DEFECT DETECTION SYSTEMS. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section amends title 49 of the United States Code to add section 20173 regarding defect detection systems. It defines key terms such as 'covered rail carrier,' 'defect detection system,' 'defect detector,' 'high-hazard train,' 'main line,' and 'physical characteristics.' The Secretary is directed to develop a program to research, develop, test, and evaluate defect detector systems. Each rail carrier's defect detection system plan must be risk-based and include a description of the network, how it reduces risk, and how it meets performance standards. Plans must address defect detector placement, particularly for overheated wheel bearings, with varying distances based on urbanized area population and the presence of acoustic bearing detectors. The Secretary will review and approve or reject submitted plans and conduct biannual compliance reviews. The Secretary may assess civil penalties for noncompliance with the approved plan. A formula grant program is established to assist commuter railroads with installing defect detection technology, prioritizing those with contracts requiring such installations as of May 1, 2023.

What does SAFE FREIGHT ACT OF 2023. of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the Safe Freight Act of 2023. The Act amends Title 49 of the United States Code to mandate a minimum two-person crew (a conductor and a locomotive engineer) for freight trains operated by Class I railroads. Exceptions to the two-person crew requirement exist for train operations on non-main line track, locomotives providing assistance due to mechanical failure or terrain, and certain locomotive movements under 50 miles. Operations with fewer than two crew members that existed at least one year before the Act's enactment may continue if the Secretary determines they maintain an equivalent level of safety. The exceptions do not apply to high-hazard trains or trains exceeding 7,500 feet in length. Railroad carriers can seek waivers from the crew size requirements through a process outlined in section 20103(d). The Act clarifies that it does not restrict the Secretary's existing authority.

What does INCREASED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF RAIL SAFETY of Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 21301 of Title 49, United States Code, regarding railroad safety violations. It establishes civil penalties for failing to comply with railroad safety requirements, regulations, or orders issued by the Secretary, ranging from $5,000 to $1,000,000 for larger entities and $1,000 to $200,000 for small businesses. If a violation results in death, serious illness, or severe injury, or causes an imminent hazard, the Secretary may increase the penalty up to $5,000,000 for larger entities and $500,000 for small businesses. The Secretary may double penalties for repeated violations or deliberate disregard. Civil actions can be brought in specific judicial districts. It establishes that railroad carriers are deemed to have knowledge of the acts of their officers and agents in proceedings involving violations of Chapter 211. Civil actions involving violations of Chapter 211 must be brought within two years, potentially extendable to five years with administrative notification. It mandates that each day employee sleeping quarters are not in compliance with Section 21106 constitutes a separate violation. Penalty amounts adjusted by this section are rounded to the nearest multiple of $100 (minimums) and $1,000 (maximums). Sections 21302 and 21303 of Title 49, United States Code, are repealed.

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Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026

Last updated: 2/24/2026 · Introduced: 2/24/2026

Author: Troy Nehls (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill enhances safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials by defining high-hazard trains and requiring rail carriers to comply with existing regulations.
Railroads are prohibited from withholding train consist information from first responders and emergency officials, and must generate and share accurate, real-time electronic train consist information with fusion centers.
The Secretary of Transportation must evaluate and update operational requirements for high-hazard trains, and establish a program to research, develop, test, and evaluate defect detection systems.
The bill establishes a phase-out schedule for certain railroad tank cars used to transport Class 3 flammable liquids, and requires the Secretary to remove or revise date-specific deadlines in existing regulations.
The bill increases penalties for violations of rail safety, with civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $1,000,000 for larger entities and $1,000 to $200,000 for small businesses, and allows for increased penalties in cases of death, serious illness, or severe injury.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3903(In Committee)Official page

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