This bill, the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act of 2026, aims to enhance the financial stability and operational efficiency of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) by establishing a new dedicated administrative account. It creates the Railroad Retirement Board Administrative Account within the Treasury, making funds permanently available for administering the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The Board is authorized to transfer necessary amounts from existing retirement and unemployment insurance funds, subject to specific annual limitations based on benefit payments or trust fund assets. A key provision is the creation of a Railroad Retirement Technology Fund within the Administrative Account, specifically earmarked for modernizing the RRB's outdated legacy benefit processing systems. The bill mandates initial transfers of $10 million for fiscal year 2027 and $20 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2031 into this Technology Fund, with funds available until fiscal year 2032. Additionally, the legislation authorizes further appropriations for unforeseen administrative expenses and continued modernization efforts beyond fiscal year 2032. To ensure accountability and effective modernization, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct two reports. An initial report will provide recommendations for modernizing the RRB's systems, drawing lessons from other federal agencies' experiences. A follow-up GAO report will assess the Board's progress, adherence to recommendations, and remaining modernization costs by early fiscal year 2032.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
Transportation and Public Works
Advisory bodiesEmployee benefits and pensionsGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsRailroad Retirement BoardRailroadsTransportation employeesUnemployment
Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act
USA119th CongressS-4965| Senate
| Updated: 8/4/2026
This bill, the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act of 2026, aims to enhance the financial stability and operational efficiency of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) by establishing a new dedicated administrative account. It creates the Railroad Retirement Board Administrative Account within the Treasury, making funds permanently available for administering the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The Board is authorized to transfer necessary amounts from existing retirement and unemployment insurance funds, subject to specific annual limitations based on benefit payments or trust fund assets. A key provision is the creation of a Railroad Retirement Technology Fund within the Administrative Account, specifically earmarked for modernizing the RRB's outdated legacy benefit processing systems. The bill mandates initial transfers of $10 million for fiscal year 2027 and $20 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2031 into this Technology Fund, with funds available until fiscal year 2032. Additionally, the legislation authorizes further appropriations for unforeseen administrative expenses and continued modernization efforts beyond fiscal year 2032. To ensure accountability and effective modernization, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct two reports. An initial report will provide recommendations for modernizing the RRB's systems, drawing lessons from other federal agencies' experiences. A follow-up GAO report will assess the Board's progress, adherence to recommendations, and remaining modernization costs by early fiscal year 2032.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.