Legis Daily

RAIL Act

USA118th CongressHR-1633| House 
| Updated: 1/30/2024
Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (15)
Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Mike Carey (Republican)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)David P. Joyce (Republican)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican)Michael R. Turner (Republican)Max L. Miller (Republican)Troy Balderson (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL Act This bill addresses safety requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials. Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue safety regulations for trains carrying hazardous materials to require that rail carriers (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advance notice and information about the hazardous materials; (2) reduce blocked rail crossings; and (3) comply with certain requirements regarding train length and weight specifications, track standards, speed restrictions, and response plans. DOT must also establish requirements for wayside defect detectors. These are used by railway systems alongside the tracks to detect defects and failures (e.g., wheel bearing failures). Current federal regulations do not require their use, but federal guidance does address their placement and use. Under the bill, DOT must issue regulations establishing requirements for the installation, repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of wayside defect detectors for each rail carrier operating a train carrying hazardous materials. Further, these regulations must establish requirements that safety placards be able to withstand heat in excess of 180 degrees. The bill also increases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations, requires DOT to update rail car inspection regulations and audit the federal inspection program, phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2028 (one year sooner than required under current law), expands training for local first responders, and imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
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Timeline
Mar 17, 2023
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mar 20, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Jan 30, 2024
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Sykes asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson (OH), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • March 17, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • March 20, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.


  • January 30, 2024
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Sykes asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson (OH), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Transportation and Public Works

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityDepartment of TransportationEmployment and training programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesLabor-management relationsLicensing and registrationsRailroadsTransportation safety and securityUser charges and fees

RAIL Act

USA118th CongressHR-1633| House 
| Updated: 1/30/2024
Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL Act This bill addresses safety requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials. Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue safety regulations for trains carrying hazardous materials to require that rail carriers (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advance notice and information about the hazardous materials; (2) reduce blocked rail crossings; and (3) comply with certain requirements regarding train length and weight specifications, track standards, speed restrictions, and response plans. DOT must also establish requirements for wayside defect detectors. These are used by railway systems alongside the tracks to detect defects and failures (e.g., wheel bearing failures). Current federal regulations do not require their use, but federal guidance does address their placement and use. Under the bill, DOT must issue regulations establishing requirements for the installation, repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of wayside defect detectors for each rail carrier operating a train carrying hazardous materials. Further, these regulations must establish requirements that safety placards be able to withstand heat in excess of 180 degrees. The bill also increases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations, requires DOT to update rail car inspection regulations and audit the federal inspection program, phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2028 (one year sooner than required under current law), expands training for local first responders, and imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
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Timeline
Mar 17, 2023
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mar 20, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Jan 30, 2024
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Sykes asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson (OH), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • March 17, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • March 20, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.


  • January 30, 2024
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Sykes asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson (OH), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (15)
Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Mike Carey (Republican)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)David P. Joyce (Republican)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican)Michael R. Turner (Republican)Max L. Miller (Republican)Troy Balderson (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Transportation and Public Works

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityDepartment of TransportationEmployment and training programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesLabor-management relationsLicensing and registrationsRailroadsTransportation safety and securityUser charges and fees