118th Congress Transportation and Public Works
S. 576: Railway Safety Act of 2023
Reported
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (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
- provides funding for research and development 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
- Robert Casey D-PAOriginal
- John Fetterman D-PAOriginal
- Joshua Hawley R-MOOriginal
- Marco Rubio R-FLOriginal
- James David Vance R-OHOriginal
- Tina Smith D-MN
- Amy Klobuchar D-MN
- Mike Braun R-IN
- Roger Marshall R-KS
- Mitt Romney R-UT
- Tammy Baldwin D-WI
Who scored on this bill
- 1Sherrod Brown SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported3 events+26
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
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History
- Introduced in the Senate by Sherrod Brown.
Show the full action history (6 actions)
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-361.
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.