I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 971 
To enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2025 
Mrs. SYKES (for herself, Mr. RULLI, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. BROWN, Ms. KAPTUR, 
and Mr. LANDSMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To enhance safety requirements for trains transporting 
hazardous materials, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act’’ or the ‘‘RAIL 
Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Defined term. 
Sec. 3. Recommendations for safety. 
Sec. 4. Inspections. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
Sec. 5. Defect detectors. 
Sec. 6. Increasing maximum civil penalties for violations of rail safety regula-
tions. 
Sec. 7. Safer tank cars. 
Sec. 8. Hazardous materials training for first responders. 
Sec. 9. Freight train crew size safety standards. 
SEC. 2. DEFINED TERM. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary of Transportation. 
SEC. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFETY. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date on which the National Transportation Safety Board 
issues the report on the East Palestine, Ohio crash, the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
Federal Railroad Administration, shall issue regulations, 
or modify existing regulations, based on such report estab-
lishing safety requirements, in accordance with subsection 
(b), with which a rail carrier operating a train trans-
porting hazardous materials that is not subject to the re-
quirements for a high-hazard flammable train under sec-
tion 174.310 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
shall comply with respect to the operation of each such 
train and the maintenance of specification tank cars. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations issued pursu-
ant to subsection (a) shall require rail carriers— 
(1) to provide advance notification and informa-
tion regarding the transportation of hazardous mate-
rials described in subsection (a) to each State emer-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
gency response commissioner, the tribal emergency 
response commission, or any other State or tribal 
agency responsible for receiving the information no-
tification for emergency response planning informa-
tion; 
(2) to include, in the notification provided pur-
suant to paragraph (1), a written gas discharge plan 
with respect to the applicable hazardous materials 
being transported; and 
(3) to reduce or eliminate blocked crossings re-
sulting from delays in train movements. 
(c) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the 
regulations required under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall include requirements regarding— 
(1) train length and weight; 
(2) train consist; 
(3) route analysis and selection; 
(4) speed restrictions; 
(5) track standards; 
(6) track, bridge, and rail car maintenance; 
(7) signaling and train control; and 
(8) response plans. 
SEC. 4. INSPECTIONS. 
(a) TIME AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 
201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 20172. Time available for inspection 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—No railroad may limit the time 
required for an employee to complete a railcar, locomotive, 
or brake inspection to ensure that each railcar, locomotive, 
and brake system complies with safety laws and regula-
tions. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENT.—Employees shall perform their 
inspection duties promptly and shall not delay other than 
for reasons related to safety.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘20172. Time available for inspection.’’. 
(b) PRE-DEPARTURE RAILCAR INSPECTIONS.—Not 
later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall amend the pre-departure in-
spection requirements for Class I railroads under part 215 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as written on 
such date of enactment)— 
(1) to ensure that after initial consultation with 
the Federal Railroad Administration, and after each 
subsequent annual consultation, each railroad identi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
fies inspection locations and, at such locations, has 
inspectors designated under part 215 available for 
the purpose of inspecting freight cars; 
(2) to ensure that all freight cars are inspected 
by an inspector designated under part 215 at a des-
ignated inspection location in the direction of travel 
as soon as practicable; and 
(3) to require each railroad that operates rail-
road freight cars to which such part 215 applies to 
designate persons qualified to inspect railroad 
freight rail cars, subject to any existing collective 
bargaining agreement, for compliance and deter-
minations required under such part. 
(c) QUALIFIED
LOCOMOTIVE
INSPECTIONS.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall review and amend, as necessary, 
regulations under chapters 229 and 243 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations— 
(1) to ensure appropriate training qualifications 
and proficiency of employees, including qualified me-
chanical inspectors, performing locomotive inspec-
tions; and 
(2) for locomotives in service on a Class I rail-
road, to require an additional daily inspection to be 
performed by a qualified mechanical inspector be-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
tween 
the 
current 
intervals 
under 
section 
229.23(b)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(d) AUDITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall initiate audits of Federal railcar, locomotive, 
and train brake system inspection compliance with 
chapter II of subtitle B of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, which— 
(A) consider whether the railroad has in 
place procedures necessary for railcar, loco-
motive, and train brake system inspection com-
pliance under such chapter; 
(B) assess the type, content, and adequacy 
of training and performance metrics the rail-
road provides employees who perform railcar, 
locomotive, and train brake system inspections, 
including the qualifications specified for such 
employees; 
(C) determine whether the railroad has 
practices that would interfere with an employ-
ee’s responsibility to perform an inspection 
safely; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(D) determine whether railcars, loco-
motives, and train brake systems are inspected 
on the railroad’s network in accordance with 
such chapter; 
(E) involve proper communication of iden-
tified defects to railroad personnel and make 
appropriate use of remedial action reports to 
verify that repairs are made; 
(F) determine whether managers coerce 
employees to sign off on any documents 
verifying an inspection or repair of a railcar, lo-
comotive, or train brake system; 
(G) determine whether the railroad’s in-
spection procedures reflect the current oper-
ating practices of the railroad carrier; and 
(H) ensure that railroad inspection proce-
dures only provide for the use of persons per-
mitted to perform each relevant inspection 
under such chapter. 
(2) 
AUDIT
SCHEDULING.—The 
Secretary 
shall— 
(A) schedule the audits required under 
paragraph (1) to ensure that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(i) every Class I railroad is audited 
not less frequently than once every 5 years; 
and 
(ii) a limited number, as determined 
by the Secretary, of Class II and Class III 
railroads are audited annually, provided 
that— 
(I) no audit of a tourist, scenic, 
historic, or excursion operation may 
be required under this subsection; and 
(II) no other Class II or III rail-
road may be audited more frequently 
than once every 5 years; and 
(B) conduct the audits described in sub-
paragraph (A)(ii) in accordance with— 
(i) the Small Business Regulatory En-
forcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 
601 note); and 
(ii) appendix C of part 209 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(3) UPDATES
TO
INSPECTION
PROGRAM
AND 
PROCEDURES.—If, during an audit required under 
this subsection, the auditor identifies a deficiency in 
a railroad’s procedures or practices necessary to en-
sure compliance with chapter II of subtitle B of title 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
49, Code of Federal Regulations, the railroad shall 
eliminate such deficiency, after first being provided 
the opportunity to address whether such a deficiency 
exists. 
(4) CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION.— 
(A) CONSULTATION.—In conducting any 
audit required under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall consult with the railroad being au-
dited and its employees, including any nonprofit 
employee labor organization representing the 
employees of the railroad that conduct railcar, 
locomotive, or train brake system inspections. 
(B) COOPERATION.—The railroad being 
audited and its employees, including any non-
profit employee labor organization representing 
mechanical employees, shall fully cooperate with 
any audit conducted pursuant to this sub-
section— 
(i) by providing any relevant docu-
ments requested; and 
(ii) by making available any employees 
for interview without undue delay or ob-
struction. 
(C) FAILURE TO COOPERATE.—If the Sec-
retary determines that a railroad or any of its 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
employees, including any nonprofit employee 
labor organization representing mechanical em-
ployees of the railroad is not fully cooperating 
with an audit conducted pursuant to this sub-
section, the Secretary shall electronically notify 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives of such non-
cooperation. 
(e) REVIEW OF REGULATIONS.—Not later than 5 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and peri-
odically thereafter, the Secretary shall determine whether 
any update to chapters I and II of subtitle B of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, is necessary to ensure the 
adequacy of railcar, locomotive, and train brake system 
inspections. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall publish 
an annual report on the public website of the Federal Rail-
road Administration that— 
(1) summarizes the findings of the audits con-
ducted pursuant to subsection (c) during the most 
recently concluded fiscal year; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(2) summarizes any updates made to chapter I 
or II of subtitle B of title 49, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, pursuant to this section; and 
(3) excludes any confidential business informa-
tion or sensitive security information. 
(g) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed— 
(1) to provide the Secretary with any authority 
to interpret, revise, alter, or apply a collectively bar-
gained agreement, nor any authority over collective 
bargaining, collectively bargained agreements, or any 
aspect of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et 
seq.); 
(2) to alter the terms or interpretations of ex-
isting collective bargaining agreements; or 
(3) to abridge any procedural rights or rem-
edies provided under a collectively bargained agree-
ment. 
SEC. 5. DEFECT DETECTORS. 
(a) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
regulations establishing requirements for the installation, 
repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of wayside de-
fect detectors for each rail carrier operating a train consist 
carrying hazardous materials. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations issued pursu-
ant to subsection (a) shall include requirements regard-
ing— 
(1) the frequency of the placement of wayside 
defect detectors, including a requirement that all 
Class I railroads install a hotbox detector along 
every 10-mile segment of rail track over which trains 
carrying hazardous materials operate; 
(2) performance standards for such detectors; 
(3) the maintenance and repair requirements 
for such detectors; 
(4) reporting data and maintenance records of 
such detectors; 
(5) appropriate steps the rail carrier must take 
when receiving an alert of a defect or failure from 
or regarding a wayside defect detector; and 
(6) the use of hotbox detectors to prevent 
derailments from wheel bearing failures, including— 
(A) the temperatures, to be specified by 
the Secretary, at which an alert from a hotbox 
detector is triggered to warn of a potential 
wheel bearing failure; and 
(B) any actions that shall be taken by a 
rail carrier upon receiving an alert from a hot-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
box detector of a potential wheel bearing fail-
ure. 
(c) DEFECT AND FAILURE IDENTIFICATION.—The 
Secretary shall specify the categories of defects and fail-
ures that wayside defect detectors covered by regulations 
issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall address, includ-
ing— 
(1) axles; 
(2) wheel bearings; 
(3) brakes; 
(4) signals; 
(5) wheel impacts; and 
(6) other defects or failures specified by the 
Secretary. 
(d) SAFETY PLACARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In issuing regulations under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall require that plac-
ards covered under section 172.519 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations, be able to withstand heat in 
excess of 180 degrees. 
(2) UPDATE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
The Secretary may, upon recommendation from the 
National Transportation Safety Board, issue such 
regulations as are necessary to increase the heat 
threshold described in paragraph (1). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 6. INCREASING MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIO-
LATIONS OF RAIL SAFETY REGULATIONS. 
(a) CIVIL PENALTIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTING 
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.—Section 5123(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$75,000’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the greater of 0.5 percent of the person’s an-
nual income or annual operating income or 
$750,000’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$175,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the greater of 1 percent of the per-
son’s annual income or annual operating income or 
$1,750,000’’. 
(b) GENERAL VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 201.—Sec-
tion 21301(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘$25,000.’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
greater of 0.5 percent of the person’s annual income 
or annual operating income or $250,000’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘$100,000.’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
greater of 1 percent of the person’s annual income 
or annual operating income or $1,000,000’’. 
(c) ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT VIOLATIONS OF CHAP-
TER 201; VIOLATIONS
OF CHAPTERS 203 THROUGH 
209.—Section 21302(a) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘203–209’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘203 through 
209’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$25,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘the greater of 0.5 percent of the person’s an-
nual income or annual operating income or 
$250,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$100,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘the greater of 1 percent of the person’s annual 
income 
or 
annual 
operating 
income 
or 
$1,000,000’’. 
(d) 
VIOLATIONS
OF
CHAPTER
211.—Section 
21303(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘$25,000.’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
greater of 0.5 percent of the person’s annual income 
or annual operating income or $250,000’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘$100,000.’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
greater of 1 percent of the person’s annual income 
or annual operating income or $1,000,000’’. 
SEC. 7. SAFER TANK CARS. 
(a) PHASE-OUT SCHEDULE.—Beginning on May 1, 
2030, a rail carrier may not use DOT–111 specification 
railroad tank cars that do not comply with DOT–117, 
DOT–117P, or DOT–117R specification requirements, as 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, to transport 
Class 3 flammable liquids regardless of the composition 
of the train consist. 
(b) CONFORMING REGULATORY AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary— 
(A) shall immediately remove or revise the 
date-specific deadlines in any applicable regula-
tions or orders to the extent necessary to con-
form with the requirement under subsection (a); 
and 
(B) may not enforce any date-specific 
deadlines or requirements that are inconsistent 
with the requirement under subsection (a). 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as re-
quired under paragraph (1), nothing in this section 
may be construed to require the Secretary to issue 
regulations to implement this section. 
SEC. 8. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING FOR FIRST RE-
SPONDERS. 
(a) ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE.—Section 5108(g) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL FEE FOR CLASS I RAIL CAR-
RIERS.—In addition to the fees collected pursuant to 
paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall establish 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
and annually impose and collect from each Class I 
rail carrier a fee in an amount equal to 
$1,000,000.’’. 
(b) ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
TRAINING.—Section 5116(j)(1)(A) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘liquids’’ and inserting ‘‘mate-
rials’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by amending subpara-
graph (A) to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—To carry out the 
grant program established pursuant to para-
graph (1), the Secretary may expend, during 
each fiscal year— 
‘‘(i) the amounts collected pursuant to 
section 5108(g)(4); and 
‘‘(ii) any amounts recovered during 
such fiscal year from grants awarded 
under this section during a prior fiscal 
year.’’. 
(c) SUPPLEMENTAL
TRAINING
GRANTS.—Section 
5128(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code is amended by 
striking ‘‘$2,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$4,000,000’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 9. FREIGHT TRAIN CREW SIZE SAFETY STANDARDS. 
(a) FREIGHT TRAIN CREW SIZE.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after section 20153 the following: 
‘‘§ 20154. Freight train crew size safety standards 
‘‘(a) MINIMUM CREW SIZE.—Except as provided in 
subsection (b), no Class I railroad carrier may operate a 
freight train without a 2-person crew consisting of at least 
1 appropriately qualified and certified conductor and 1 ap-
propriately qualified and certified locomotive engineer. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the requirement under subsection (a) 
shall not apply with respect to— 
‘‘(A) train operations on track that is not 
main line track; 
‘‘(B) locomotives performing assistance to 
a train that has incurred mechanical failure or 
lacks the power to traverse difficult terrain, in-
cluding traveling to or from the location where 
assistance is provided; 
‘‘(C) locomotives that— 
‘‘(i) are not attached to any equip-
ment or are attached only to a caboose; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) travel not farther than 50 miles 
from the point of origin of such locomotive; 
and 
‘‘(D) train operations staffed with fewer 
than a 2-person crew at least 1 year before the 
date of the enactment of the Safe Freight Act 
of 2024, except if the Secretary determines that 
such operations do not achieve an equivalent 
level of safety as would result from compliance 
with the requirement under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) TRAINS
INELIGIBLE
FOR
EXCEPTION.— 
The exceptions under paragraph (2) shall not apply 
with respect to— 
‘‘(A) a high-hazard train; or 
‘‘(B) a train with a total length of at least 
7,500 feet. 
‘‘(c) WAIVER.—A railroad carrier may seek a waiver 
of the requirements under subsection (a) in accordance 
with section 20103(d). 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) HIGH-HAZARD
TRAIN.—The term ‘high- 
hazard train’ means a single train transporting, 
throughout the train consist— 
‘‘(A) not fewer than 20 tank cars loaded 
with a flammable liquid (Class 3) (as such term 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
is defined in section 173.120 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations, or successor regula-
tions); 
‘‘(B) not fewer than 1 tank car or inter-
modal portable tank load with a material poi-
sonous by inhalation or a material toxic by in-
halation (as such term is defined in section 
171.8 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
or successor regulations); 
‘‘(C) not fewer than 1 car loaded with a 
type B package or a fissile material package (as 
such terms are defined in section 173.403 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, or suc-
cessor regulations); 
‘‘(D) not fewer than 10 cars loaded with 
Class 1 explosives categorized under section 
173.50 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or successor regulations) as being in division 
1.1, 1.2, or 1.3; 
‘‘(E) not fewer than 5 tank cars loaded 
with a flammable gas (as such term is defined 
in section 173.115(a) of title 49, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, or successor regulations); or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(F) not fewer than 20 cars loaded with 
any combination of flammable liquids, flam-
mable gases, or explosives. 
‘‘(2) MAIN LINE TRACK.—The term ‘main line 
track’ means— 
‘‘(A) a segment or route of railroad 
tracks— 
‘‘(i) over which 5,000,000 or more 
gross tons of railroad traffic is transported 
annually; and 
‘‘(ii) that has a maximum authorized 
speed for freight trains in excess of 25 
miles per hours; and 
‘‘(B) intercity rail passenger transportation 
or commuter rail passenger transportation 
routes or segments over which high-hazard 
trains operate.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for sub-
chapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
20153 the following: 
‘‘20154. Freight train crew size safety standards.’’. 
(c) 
PRESERVATION
OF
AUTHORITY
OF
SEC-
RETARY.—Nothing in section 20154 of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by this section, shall be construed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
to limit the authority of the Secretary under any other 
provision of law. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:14 Mar 04, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H971.IH
H971
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS