and paragraph (2) and the number that could be 
retrofitted; and 
(5) estimates the demand for new tank cars. 
SEC. 111. RAIL SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. 
(a) RESEARCH REQUIREMENT.—The Administrator 
of the Federal Railroad Administration shall award 
grants, in accordance with the restrictions and limitation 
on eligibility for Class I railroads under section 22907 of 
title 49, United States Code, which shall be used for re-
search and development of defect detectors and the pre-
vention of derailments of trains transporting hazardous 
materials. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration, $22,000,000, which shall be used for the 
grants authorized under subsection (a) and shall remain 
available until expended. 
SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR TANK 
CAR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Pipeline 
and 
Hazardous 
Materials 
Safety 
Administration, 
$5,000,000, which shall be used for expenses related to 
the development of— 
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(1) stronger, safer tank cars and valves for 
tank cars; and 
(2) other tank car safety features. 
SEC. 113. FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION SAFETY 
CULTURE. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the Federal Railroad 
Administration’s safety culture using the framework 
developed by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Devel-
opment; and 
(2) submit a report to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives that in-
cludes recommendations for improving the Federal 
Railroad Administration’s safety culture. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—As a part of the review con-
ducted pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Inspector Gen-
eral shall consider the impacts of the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration’s— 
(1) reorganization of its safety offices and man-
agement structure; 
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(2) reorganization of its policy and research of-
fices; and 
(3) telework policies, including any change in 
policies since the beginning of the COVID–19 pan-
demic. 
(c) ACTION PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the 
submission of the report required under subsection (a)(2), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and post on a public-facing 
website an action plan that addresses the recommenda-
tions and findings made by the Inspector General in such 
report. 
SEC. 114. GAO REPORT ON ROADWAY WORKER PROTEC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall— 
(1) conduct a review of currently available tech-
nologies for roadway workers (as defined in section 
214.7 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) with 
protection from the hazards of being struck by a 
train or other on-track equipment in the United 
States; and 
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(2) submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report that summa-
rizes the results of the review conducted under sub-
paragraph (a), including recommendations, as the 
Comptroller General considers appropriate. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under sub-
section (a)(2) shall— 
(1) describe the frequency, type, and causes of 
incidences within the rail right-of-way associated 
with roadway workers being struck by a train or 
other on-track equipment, based on available data, 
including whether individuals were acting in compli-
ance with the applicable rules, policies, procedures, 
and practices; 
(2) describe the types of technologies referenced 
in subsection (a)(1) that are designed to reduce risk 
of injury and death when deployed as a secondary 
warning system to the standard operating proce-
dures of a rail carrier, including for each tech-
nology— 
(A) the primary function and features; 
(B) the maturity, implementation readi-
ness, and user experience; 
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(C) the frequency of implementation; 
(D) any costs, including up front and on-
going maintenance costs, of the technology and 
other costs associated with the technology; 
(E) safety benefits associated with the 
technology relative to current rules, policies, 
procedures, and practices; and 
(F) ability to enhance protections for road-
way workers without negatively impacting oper-
ational or network efficiencies; 
(3) discuss the potential for such technologies 
to reduce or eliminate roadway worker accidents oc-
curring within the rail right-of-way; 
(4) describe any challenges or barriers to adop-
tion of such safety technologies, including oper-
ational, technical, and network efficiency challenges 
or barriers; and 
(5) assess the cost-beneficial nature of utilizing 
such technology as a secondary warning system. 
SEC. 115. FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION SAFETY 
WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
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(4) whether the system used for the notifica-
tion, processing, or storing of civil penalty enforce-
ment cases and other compliance actions rec-
ommended by safety inspectors and specialists 
against railroads, shippers of hazardous materials, 
and other respondents effectively supports the Fed-
eral Railroad Administration’s compliance inspection 
and enforcement program; 
(5) whether any macroeconomic or other condi-
tions exist or have existed under which it has been 
difficult for the Federal Railroad Administration to 
fill safety inspector and specialist vacancies, and the 
degree to which special rates of pay or other recruit-
ment and retention practices could ameliorate or 
could have ameliorated such difficulty; and 
(6) recommendations for any reforms that 
could— 
(A) improve the recruitment, hiring, and 
retention of Federal Railroad Administration 
safety inspectors and specialists, including po-
tential quality of life and workplace improve-
ments; 
(B) improve Federal Railroad Administra-
tion workforce management processes; or 
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(C) increase the capacity for inspection ac-
tivities, if such capacity is identified as defi-
cient, at the Federal Railroad Administration, 
including activities relating to the transpor-
tation of hazardous materials. 
SEC. 116. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT REVIEW 
OF SAFETY INSPECTOR AND SPECIALIST 
CLASSIFICATIONS. 
(a) REVISING RAILROAD SAFETY SERIES.—Not later 
than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
shall— 
(1) complete a review of the Railroad Safety Se-
ries, GS–2121, TS–37; and 
(2) subject to subsection (b), revise the series 
referred to in paragraph (1), as appropriate, to re-
flect factors impacting the Federal Railroad Admin-
istration’s oversight of the railroad industry, includ-
ing— 
(A) current critical Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration disciplines; and 
(B) technological advancements and oper-
ational conditions within the railroad industry. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after com-
pleting the review required under subsection (a), if the Di-
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rector determines that a revision of the Railroad Safety 
Series is not appropriate, the Director shall submit a re-
port to the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that— 
(1) explains the findings of the review required 
under subsection (a); and 
(2) justifies the determination not to make revi-
sions to the Railroad Safety Series. 
SEC. 117. ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall amend part 219 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require any employee 
who, on behalf of a railroad, inspects locomotives, pas-
senger cars, railcars, or other on-track equipment, to be 
subject to the breath or body fluid testing required under 
subparts C, D, and E of such part. 
SEC. 118. CONFIDENTIAL CLOSE CALL REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR CLOSE CALL REPORTING 
SYSTEM.—The Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration and the Administrator of the 
Federal Railroad Administration shall jointly ensure that 
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any close call reporting system carried out by such Admin-
istrators provides for the following: 
(1) Each report of a close call event made to 
such reporting system shall be confidential. 
(2) An individual submitting a report to such 
system may include an audio or video file that was 
captured on the personal device of such individual. 
(3) Each report submitted to such system shall 
contain the location of the event, including, as appli-
cable, the global positioning system coordinates of 
such event. 
(4) A report with respect to any craft shall be 
eligible for submission to such system. 
(5) The Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration or the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Railroad Administration may 
take a remedial action or an action to improve safe-
ty, or require a railroad to take an action, based 
solely on a report or a subset of reports submitted 
to the system. 
(b) APPLICATION OF CLOSE CALL REPORTING TO 
AMTRAK.—Each Class I railroad and Amtrak shall, not 
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
enroll in the confidential close call reporting system for 
a period of 2 years. 
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SEC. 119. ASKRAIL APPLICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to be eligible for financial 
assistance under section 22907 or 24911 of title 49, 
United States Code, a State department of transportation 
shall notify first responders about the AskRail application, 
if a Class 1 railroad operates within the State, not later 
than 180 days after receiving such financial assistance. 
(b) FRA NOTIFICATION.—If a State is subject to 
subsection (a), each State department of transportation 
shall submit to the Federal Rail Administration— 
(1) evidence of the notification required under 
such subsection; and 
(2) a certification that such State has com-
pleted the requirement. 
(c) ASKRAIL CONNECTIVITY PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall establish 
a pilot program to support connectivity for the 
AskRail application for first responders during rail-
way accidents. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Administrator, the Federal Communica-
tions Commission, and the Department of Agri-
culture, in consultation with the National Tele-
communications and Information Administration, 
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shall identify and prioritize areas along the national 
rail network in most need of connectivity. 
(3) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—In car-
rying out the pilot program required under para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall— 
(A) not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, solicit proposals from 
entities or coalitions of entities to conduct ac-
tivities under the pilot program; and 
(B) enter into cooperative agreements with 
at least 1 but not more than 4 entities to un-
dertake activities under the pilot program, 
which may include past performance and expe-
rience with— 
(i) deploying connectivity technology 
and infrastructure in rural and remote lo-
cations, including satellite broadband tech-
nology, supplemental coverage from space, 
or fixed wireless technology; and 
(ii) contracting with emergency re-
sponse providers, including Federal, State, 
and local governmental and nongovern-
mental emergency public safety, fire, law 
enforcement, emergency response, emer-
gency medical (including hospital emer-
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gency facilities), and related personnel, 
agencies, and authorities. 
(4) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram required under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall contract with eligible entities to provide 
broadband internet access service, fixed wireless 
technology or supplemental coverage from space. 
(5) ELIGIBILITY.—An eligible entity to carry 
out activities under the pilot program includes— 
(A) a broadband internet access service 
provider; 
(B) a satellite internet provider; and 
(C) a provider of supplemental coverage 
from space or fixed wireless technology. 
(6) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 2025 through 2028, to remain available until 
expended. 
(7) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
year after the conclusion of the pilot program, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Sen-
ate and Committee on Transportation and Infra-
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structure of the House of Representatives a report 
on— 
(A) the effectiveness and usage of the tech-
nologies or infrastructure utilized and deployed 
in such program; 
(B) recommendations about their suit-
ability for deployment across further portions of 
the national rail network; and 
(C) recommendations to update grant pri-
orities and eligibility guidance for administering 
railway safety Federal grant and loan programs 
to encourage investing in and modernizing 
emergency communications capabilities, includ-
ing satellite internet providers, fixed wireless 
technology, and the nationwide public safety 
broadband network, as defined in section 6001 
of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Cre-
ation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401). 
SEC. 120. INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE RAILROAD CROSS-
ING ELIMINATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 22104(a) of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
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‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary for grants under section 22909 of title 49, 
United States Code, $1,500,000,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2025 through 2028. 
‘‘(2) SUMMARY REQUIRED.—In order to be eli-
gible for the funds authorized under paragraph (1), 
a State department of transportation shall submit to 
the Federal Railroad Administration a summary of 
the most dangerous grade crossings in the State.’’. 
SEC. 121. GRANT PROGRAMS FOR ADOPTION OF CERTAIN 
TELEMATICS SYSTEMS. 
(a) ONBOARD FREIGHT RAILCAR TELEMATICS SYS-
TEMS AND GATEWAY DEVICE GRANT PROGRAM.—The 
Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration 
shall establish a grant program to provide funds to freight 
railcar owners or operators to install and maintain— 
(1) onboard freight railcar telematics systems; 
or 
(2) onboard freight railcar gateway devices. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds provided under this sec-
tion may be used for onboard freight railcar telematic sys-
tems or onboard freight railcar gateway devices that en-
able the recipient of a grant to obtain and enhance the 
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data collected from such systems and devices resulting in 
the following: 
(1) Near real-time visibility of freight railcar lo-
cation and freight railcar asset health. 
(2) Increasing the visibility to the safety of the 
asset and commodity within the freight railcar asset. 
(3) Increasing future capability of real-time vis-
ibility to railcar owners in the development of on-
board freight railcar sensor technology that meas-
ures or monitors, for purposes of gathering informa-
tion on maintenance requirements (and enables rail-
car owners, operators, and shippers to identify rail-
cars that could become a hazard)— 
(A) railcar impact; 
(B) wheel or wheel bearing temperature; 
(C) whether a hand brake is on or off; 
(D) whether a hatch is open or closed; and 
(E) internal railcar temperature. 
(4) Increasing the efficiency of railcar utiliza-
tion in the North American freight railcar fleet. 
(5) Reducing reliance on human and manual 
data capture, reducing the risk of errors related to 
freight railcar data and information. 
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(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘Hazardous Materials Preparedness Fund’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Hazardous Materials Emergency Pre-
paredness Fund’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘section 
5116(h)(3); 
and’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘section 
5116(h)(2)(C);’’; and 
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) $4,000,000 to carry out section 5116(i); 
and 
‘‘(5) $1,000,000 to carry out section 5116(j).’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 51 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 5116 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘5116. Hazardous materials transportation emergency response and prepared-
ness.’’. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 5102 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking paragraph (6) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(6) ‘Indian tribe’, ‘Indian Tribe’, and ‘Tribe’ 
have the meaning given the term ‘Indian Tribe’ in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).’’. 
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