118th Congress Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 1674: Railway Safety Act of 2023
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 or shippers (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advanced 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.
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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,
- requires a minimum two-person crew for certain freight trains,
- phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2025 (four years sooner than required under current law),
- expands training for local first responders,
- imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers, and
- authorizes grants to improve railway safety.
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
- Nicolas LaLota R-NYOriginal
- Marcy Kaptur D-OH
- Bill Posey R-FL
- Brian Fitzpatrick R-PA
- Colin Allred D-TX
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer R-OR
- Don Bacon R-NE
- Christopher Smith R-NJ
- John Garamendi D-CA
- Josh Gottheimer D-NJ
- Madeleine Dean D-PA
- Eleanor Norton D-DC
- George Santos R-NY
- Michael Lawler R-NY
- Patrick Ryan D-NY
- Anthony D'Esposito R-NY
- Donald Payne D-NJ
Who scored on this bill
- 1Chris Deluzio SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Other bills by Chris Deluzio
History
- Introduced in the House by Chris Deluzio.
Show the full action history (3 actions)
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 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.