118th Congress Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 1633: RAIL Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.
Read the full summary
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Joyce Beatty D-OHOriginal
- Troy Balderson R-OHOriginal
- Shontel Brown D-OHOriginal
- Mike Carey R-OHOriginal
- David Joyce R-OHOriginal
- Marcy Kaptur D-OHOriginal
- Greg Landsman D-OHOriginal
- Max Miller R-OHOriginal
- Emilia Sykes D-OHOriginal
- Michael Turner R-OHOriginal
- Raja Krishnamoorthi D-IL
- Madeleine Dean D-PA
- Vern Buchanan R-FL
- Marcus Molinaro R-NY
- Adriano Espaillat D-NY
Who scored on this bill
- 1Bill Johnson SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Bill Johnson
History
- Introduced in the House by Bill Johnson.
Show the full action history (4 actions)
- 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.