What does Preamble of HR 928 do?

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

What does SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. of HR 928 do?

This bill is formally titled the Railway Safety Act of 2025.

What does Safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous of HR 928 do?

This section establishes safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials.

What does Increasing maximum civil penalties for violations of rail of HR 928 do?

This section concerns increasing maximum civil penalties for violations of rail safety regulations.

What does DEFINED TERM. of HR 928 do?

This section defines a term used within the Act.

What does SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINS TRANSPORTING HAZARDOUS of HR 928 do?

This section requires the Secretary to issue or modify regulations within one year of the Act's enactment. These regulations will establish safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials not already subject to high-hazard flammable train regulations. Shippers and rail carriers must provide advance notification and information regarding hazardous materials transportation to relevant emergency response agencies. The notification must include a written gas discharge plan. Regulations must also address reducing or eliminating blocked crossings due to train delays. The Secretary must consider requirements related to train length and weight, train consist, route analysis, speed restrictions, track standards, maintenance, signaling, and response plans. The Secretary may modify safety requirements for trains already subject to specific regulations to fulfill the rulemaking requirements.

What does RAIL CAR INSPECTIONS. of HR 928 do?

This section mandates a review and update of regulations under 49 CFR chapters I and II, subtitle B, to establish minimum inspection time requirements for qualified mechanical inspectors of rail cars and locomotives. The Secretary must amend section 215.13(c) of 49 CFR regarding abbreviated pre-departure inspection procedures for rail cars carrying hazardous materials. Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary will initiate audits of Federal rail car inspection programs, considering compliance with 49 CFR part 215, inspector training, adequacy of inspection time, and reliance on train crews. Audits of Class I railroads must occur at least once every 5 years, while a select number of Class II and Class III railroads will be audited annually. If an audit identifies a deficiency in a railroad's inspection program, the railroad must update the program to eliminate the deficiency. The Secretary must consult with railroads and their employees during audits and ensure full cooperation, including providing documents and making employees available for interviews. The Secretary must triennially review part 215 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to determine if updates are necessary to ensure rail car safety. The Secretary is required to publish an annual report on the Federal Railroad Administration website summarizing audit findings and program updates, excluding confidential or sensitive information.

What does DEFECT DETECTORS. of HR 928 do?

This section requires the Secretary to issue regulations regarding wayside defect detectors for rail carriers transporting hazardous materials within one year of the Act's enactment. The regulations must specify the frequency of detector placement, including a requirement for Class I railroads to install hotbox detectors every 10 miles where trains carrying hazardous materials operate. The regulations will establish performance standards, maintenance and repair requirements, and data reporting procedures for these detectors. Rail carriers must take specific actions upon receiving alerts from wayside defect detectors. The Secretary will define the categories of defects and failures that the detectors must address, including axles, wheel bearings, brakes, signals, and wheel impacts. The regulations will specify temperatures at which hotbox detectors trigger alerts for potential wheel bearing failures.

What does SAFE FREIGHT ACT OF 2025. of HR 928 do?

This section establishes the Safe Freight Act of 2025. The Act mandates a minimum two-person crew (a conductor and a locomotive engineer) for freight train operations. Exceptions to the two-person crew requirement exist for certain train operations, including those on non-main line track, trains operated by smaller railroads, and trains traveling at low speeds on tracks with gentle grades. Further exceptions apply to locomotives providing assistance to trains experiencing mechanical issues or traversing difficult terrain, and to locomotives operating within a limited distance from their origin. Operations with fewer than a two-person crew in place at least one year before enactment may be permitted if the Secretary determines they achieve an equivalent level of safety. The exceptions do not apply to trains transporting hazardous materials or trains exceeding a certain length (7,500 feet). Railroad carriers can seek waivers from these requirements through a process outlined in section 20103(d).

What does INCREASING MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF RAIL of HR 928 do?

This section amends several sections of title 49, United States Code, related to civil penalties for violations of rail safety regulations. The amendments modify penalty amounts for transporting hazardous materials, general violations of Chapter 201, accident and incident violations of Chapter 201 and violations of Chapters 203 through 209, and violations of Chapter 211. The revised penalty structure establishes a maximum penalty based on either 0.5% or 1% of a person’s annual income or annual operating income, as applicable, or a fixed dollar amount ($250,000 or $1,000,000, depending on the violation). The fixed dollar amounts are increased to $750,000 and $1,750,000 for hazardous materials violations.

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Railway Safety Act of 2025 — HR. 928

Last updated: 2/4/2025 · Introduced: 2/4/2025

Author: Christopher Deluzio (D-PA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill mandates enhanced safety regulations for trains transporting hazardous materials, including notification requirements and addressing blocked crossings.
Rail car inspections will be reviewed and updated, with increased audit frequency for Class I railroads and a triennial review of inspection standards.
The bill requires the installation of wayside defect detectors, including hotbox detectors every 10 miles for trains carrying hazardous materials, and establishes performance standards and reporting procedures.
It establishes a minimum two-person crew requirement for freight train operations, with exceptions for certain circumstances and waivers available.
Civil penalties for rail safety violations, particularly those involving hazardous materials, are significantly increased based on income or fixed dollar amounts.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title; table of contents., and 13 more.

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