Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Science, Space, and Technology Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to establish a pilot program aimed at improving the ease of rotating between multiple motive power sources within passenger and freight rail systems. The program will involve comprehensive research into integrating various new rail technologies, including battery, electrification, hydrogen, and diesel, while also identifying challenges such as cost and land requirements. A key component is the development of rail car designs specifically engineered to facilitate seamless transitions between these diverse power sources, potentially accommodating different electrification systems. To test the practical feasibility of these designs, the pilot program mandates the performance of demonstration projects . Concurrently, the Administrator must conduct a study to pinpoint specific locations in the rail system where trains currently require power source changes due to operational limitations. The FRA is then required to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, detailing the results of both the pilot program and the conducted study.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Transportation and Public Works
Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-9181| House
| Updated: 6/8/2026
This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to establish a pilot program aimed at improving the ease of rotating between multiple motive power sources within passenger and freight rail systems. The program will involve comprehensive research into integrating various new rail technologies, including battery, electrification, hydrogen, and diesel, while also identifying challenges such as cost and land requirements. A key component is the development of rail car designs specifically engineered to facilitate seamless transitions between these diverse power sources, potentially accommodating different electrification systems. To test the practical feasibility of these designs, the pilot program mandates the performance of demonstration projects . Concurrently, the Administrator must conduct a study to pinpoint specific locations in the rail system where trains currently require power source changes due to operational limitations. The FRA is then required to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, detailing the results of both the pilot program and the conducted study.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.