Railway Safety Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-576
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2023-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Civil actions and liability
Department of Transportation
First responders and emergency personnel
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Infrastructure development
Railroads
Research and development
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-01
text: 

Railway Safety Act of 2023

 
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.
 
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. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-12-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.
action_date: 2023-12-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-12-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-05-10
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2023-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate