HOWIE Act

This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Federal Railroad Administration, to issue new regulations updating existing reporting standards for rail carriers. These regulations will mandate that railroads report specific types of damage, including train accidents and fires like brush fires occurring alongside tracks. The reporting requirement is triggered when a rail carrier has a reasonable suspicion that an action carried out by the railroad caused such damage. This measure aims to improve accountability and ensure comprehensive reporting of incidents potentially linked to railroad operations.