Donald Beyer (D-VA)
Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
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
This bill is known as the Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act of 2026. It requires the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration to set up a pilot program. The goal of this program is to make it easier to switch between different power sources while operating passenger and freight rail systems. Under the bill, the Administrator must research different power technologies and challenges like cost or land requirements. The Administrator also needs to develop rail car designs that make power source switching easier and perform demonstration projects. Furthermore, a study must be done to find every location where a train must be changed because its power source does not work past that spot. Finally, a report on the pilot program and study results must be given to Congress within one year.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +4
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The bill directly targets improvements to passenger and freight rail systems and infrastructure efficiency.
- Scored +3
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Research into cleaner alternative motive power sources like battery, hydrogen, and electrification supports environmental goals.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
Improving the integration of multi-power source rail systems facilitates smoother interstate freight and passenger transit.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) requires a pilot program to improve the ease of rotating between multiple power sources during operation within passenger and freight rail systems, which could help make our rail travel and freight shipping more efficient.
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Section 2(b)(1) requires researching the integration of new rail technologies and power sources like battery, electrification, hydrogen, and diesel, which looks for ways to modernize our trains.
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Section 2(b)(2) directs the development of rail car designs that make it easier to switch between multiple power sources, potentially improving how trains operate across different systems.
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Section 2(c) mandates a study to identify every location where a train must be changed because its current power source stops working, which helps pinpoint specific bottlenecks in the current rail network.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(b)(1)(B) explicitly requires researching challenges related to implementing these new power technologies, including potential costs and additional land requirements, which might lead to future financial or property burdens for the public.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill directly targets improvements to passenger and freight rail systems and infrastructure efficiency. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Research into cleaner alternative motive power sources like battery, hydrogen, and electrification supports environmental goals. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Promoting alternative green rail technologies assists in reducing environmental impacts from transportation. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The legislation encourages the integration of renewable and alternative energy sources into rail transport.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Freight rail modernization can lower shipping friction and costs for commercial rail users. Would farmers be better off under this? — Better freight rail efficiency helps agricultural producers ship goods to markets more effectively. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Enhanced passenger rail options benefit urban commuters and transit riders. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Better connected rail infrastructure can assist regional and rural supply chains.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Improving the integration of multi-power source rail systems facilitates smoother interstate freight and passenger transit. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandating reports to Congress on pilot program findings enhances federal oversight and public accountability. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs a federal agency to conduct a specific pilot program, study, and report.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Modernizing freight rail systems and logistics can yield modest long-term improvements in supply chain efficiency. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports research and demonstration projects that could create specialized jobs in rail technology development.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation explicitly mandates federal research into new rail technologies and demonstration projects.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 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.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida