Christopher Deluzio (D-PA)
Railway Safety Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 15 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Railway Safety Act of 2026 aims to enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials. It establishes stricter speed limits for high-hazard trains and requires detailed, real-time information sharing regarding train contents. The bill introduces new safety requirements for tank cars, defect detection systems, and freight train crew sizes. Additionally, it mandates increased inspections, regular audits, and more rigorous penalties for safety violations. The legislation also focuses on emergency response preparedness through grants and assistance programs. Finally, it addresses blocked highway-rail grade crossings and roadway worker protections.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill provides stronger protections against environmental disasters caused by hazardous material spills.
- Scored +6
Would people in cities be better off under this?
High-threat urban areas receive stricter speed limits for high-hazard trains.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances emergency response capabilities and provides financial assistance for responding to hazardous materials incidents.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Railroads and small businesses face new compliance costs and registration fees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety for High-Hazard Trains: The bill mandates speed limits of 50 mph for all trains and reduces the limit to 40 mph for high-hazard trains in high-threat urban areas (Section 102(b)(2)).
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Enhanced Information for First Responders: Railroads would be required to provide accurate, real-time electronic information regarding the identity and location of hazardous materials to fusion centers and ensure this information is not withheld from first responders during emergencies (Section 102(b)(4) and (7)).
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Increased Accountability through Penalties: The bill increases civil penalties for safety violations, allowing for fines up to $1,000,000, or up to $5,000,000 if the violation results in death, serious illness, or severe injury (Section 109(a)(2) and (3)).
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Protection for Rail Workers: The bill includes a review of technologies to protect roadway workers from being struck by trains or on-track equipment (Section 114(a)). It also prevents railroads from limiting the time required for employees to perform safety inspections (Section 105(a)(1)).
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Support for Emergency Responders: An emergency response assistance program would provide immediate financial assistance to communities responding to significant hazardous materials incidents, covering costs like personal protective equipment, overtime, and baseline health care assessments (Section 204(2) and (6)).
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Improved Community Access: The bill addresses blocked highway-rail grade crossings through a study to find solutions and expands the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program to include bus routes to or within one mile of a school (Section 104(a) and (f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs for Railroads: Railroads must comply with new requirements for tank car safety, defect detection systems, and maintaining specific crew sizes, which may involve significant investment (Section 102(b), 107, and 108).
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New Fees for Registration: The bill establishes annual registration fees for persons required to file registration statements, with fees ranging from $250 to $5,000 depending on whether the entity is a small business (Section 201(2)(A)).
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Potential Economic Impacts from Blocked Crossings: While the bill seeks solutions, it acknowledges that current blocked crossings may have financial impacts on railroads or their customers (Section 104(b)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — High-threat urban areas receive stricter speed limits for high-hazard trains. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill includes protections for rail workers and maintains minimum crew sizes. Would children be better off under this? — Increased safety in school zones via improved railroad crossings benefits children. Would students be better off under this? — Improved safety of school bus routes at crossings provides a benefit to students. Would business owners be better off under this? — Railroads and small businesses face new compliance costs and registration fees.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill provides stronger protections against environmental disasters caused by hazardous material spills. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances emergency response capabilities and provides financial assistance for responding to hazardous materials incidents.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the regulatory authority of the Secretary of Transportation and the FRA over railroads. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates various reports and the publication of safety data on public websites.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer safety by mandating stricter regulations for hazardous materials transport.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes funds for research into defect detection and tank car safety.
- 10/26/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/21/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/12/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/3/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 3/2/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
John JoyceRepublican · Pennsylvania
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
Michael RulliRepublican · Ohio
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican · Wisconsin