H.R. 928: Railway Safety Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Railway Safety Act of 2025, aims to enhance the safety of trains, particularly those transporting hazardous materials. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Defined Terms

The bill defines the "Secretary" as the Secretary of Transportation, who will oversee the implementation of the safety regulations outlined in the legislation.

Safety Requirements for Hazardous Materials Transport

• The Secretary will develop or update regulations to set safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials. This includes ensuring shippers and rail carriers notify state and tribal emergency response agencies about the transportation of such materials.
• Shippers must also provide a gas discharge plan for hazardous materials and work to avoid blocked train crossings that could impede emergency response efforts.
• Additional requirements may cover train length, weight, speed restrictions, and maintenance practices.

Rail Car Inspections

• The Secretary will establish minimum time requirements for inspections of rail cars and locomotives. These inspections must be conducted by qualified inspectors.
• Abbreviated inspection procedures will be amended for rail cars carrying hazardous materials, enhancing safety protocols.

Defect Detectors

• New regulations will require the installation and maintenance of wayside defect detectors on tracks used for transporting hazardous materials. These detectors will help identify potential issues before they lead to accidents.
• Specific performance standards for these detectors will be established, including responses if a defect is detected.

Safe Freight Act of 2025

• The bill establishes a mandatory minimum crew size of two persons for freight trains, aimed at enhancing safety. This includes at least one qualified conductor and one locomotive engineer.
• Exceptions to this rule are designated for specific low-traffic trains and operational conditions.

Increased Civil Penalties

• The bill proposes to significantly increase the maximum civil penalties for violations of rail safety regulations relating to hazardous materials transport, potentially imposing larger fines based on a company's annual income.

Safer Tank Cars

• The legislation phases out older tank car models that do not meet updated safety standards for transporting hazardous materials by a specified deadline.

Hazardous Materials Training for First Responders

• Rail carriers will pay an annual fee to help fund hazardous materials training for first responders, ensuring that local emergency personnel are adequately prepared for incidents involving trains carrying dangerous goods.

Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

• The bill calls for improvements in rail infrastructure, specifically targeting the enhancement of defect detectors to prevent derailments and better manage the transport of hazardous materials.

Tank Car Study and Recommendations

• A study will be conducted to evaluate technologies for stronger and safer tank cars. The findings will be reported to Congress, which could inform future regulations and practices.

Implementation and Reporting

• The Secretary of Transportation will submit periodic reports to Congress on the progress of implementing these safety measures and any additional recommendations from recent safety investigations.

Relevant Companies

• CSX: This major North American freight railroad may need to adapt operations and compliance measures due to increased safety requirements and penalties.
• Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC): As a large freight carrier, Norfolk Southern will be directly impacted by the mandatory crew size requirements and tank car safety regulations.
• Union Pacific (UNP): The railroad will need to ensure adherence to enhanced inspection and maintenance procedures outlined in the bill related to hazardous materials transport.