HR 3062Energy
Promoting Cross-b order Energy Infrastructure Act This bill establishes a new process for approving or revoking permits for the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States. Thus, it replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders. The bill requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity, across a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines or the Department of Energy (DOE) for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of issuing a certificate, DOE must require that an electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards. FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this bill. The bill also requires FERC to meet a deadline for approving applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. The bill also requires the President to obtain the approval of Congress before revoking a permit issued under executive orders for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining an oil or natural gas pipeline, an electric transmission facility, or a related border-crossing facility.
Introduced Apr 29, 2025Updated Sep 19, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
HR 248Transportation and Public Works
Baby Changing on Board Act This bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.
Introduced Jan 9, 2025Updated Jun 10, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
HR 188Transportation and Public Works
Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act This bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act, with exceptions. Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply to any portion or portions of a meeting that Amtrak properly determines are likely to involve contract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise Amtrak’s competitive position; collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in an agreement; and matters involving the employment, appointment, termination, terms and conditions of employment, performance evaluation, promotion, or disciplining of a current or prospective Amtrak officer, employee, or contractor (unless all affected individuals request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting).
Introduced Jan 3, 2025Updated Jun 6, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.
HR 971Transportation and Public Works
Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL Act 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 (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advance 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. Further, DOT must update rail car inspection regulations and audit related inspection programs. This includes prohibiting a railroad from limiting the time required for an employee to complete a railcar, locomotive, or brake safety inspection. The bill also increases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations; establishes a statutory requirement for freight trains to have at least two crew members, with exceptions; phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2030; expands training for local first responders; and imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.
Introduced Feb 4, 2025Updated Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
HR 928Transportation and Public Works
Railway Safety Act of 2025 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 advance 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 programs; establishes a statutory requirement for freight trains to have at least two crew members, with exceptions; phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2027; expands training for local first responders; imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers; and authorizes grants to improve railway safety.
Introduced Feb 4, 2025Updated Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
HR 854Transportation and Public Works
Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally Act or the DERAIL Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand the definition of a high-hazard flammable train (HHFT), thereby subjecting more trains to additional safety requirements. Specifically, DOT must expand the definition of HHFT to mean a train transporting one or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid (e.g., benzene residue) or a Class 2 flammable gas (e.g., vinyl chloride) and other materials DOT determines necessary for safety. Current regulations define HHFT as a train transporting 20 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block or 35 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid dispersed throughout the train. The bill also requires railway carriers to report a train derailment that involves a train carrying material toxic by inhalation within 24 hours of the derailment to the National Response Center (NRC), state and local officials, and tribal governments. As background, the NRC is a part of the federally established National Response System. Reports to the NRC activate the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the federal government's response capabilities.
Introduced Jan 31, 2025Updated Feb 1, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
HR 853Transportation and Public Works
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act This bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups. Upon a declaration by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a hazardous train event has occurred, the FRA must immediately award at least $250,000 from the emergency fund to one or more eligible groups (e.g., law enforcement agencies and fire departments). Additional amounts may be awarded, but may not exceed $3 million per hazardous train event. The FRA may declare a hazardous train event has occurred following a derailment or crash involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment. Costs associated with a response to a hazardous train event that are eligible for reimbursement include (1) replacing damaged or contaminated equipment, (2) overtime pay for firefighters or law enforcement officers, and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date. The FRA must also (1) establish annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail that have total annual collections of at least $10 million, and (2) deposit the fees into the reimbursement fund. Further, the Department of Transportation must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials by train to provide county and local emergency response groups with (1) advance warning of the train's load and timing, and (2) real-time location information on the train when it enters and exits the community's service area.
Introduced Jan 31, 2025Updated Feb 1, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
HR 769Transportation and Public Works
All Aboard Act This bill requires Amtrak to issue refunds to rail passengers for the purchase price of rail passenger transportation that is cancelled or delayed due to a failure of Amtrak. Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue regulations requiring Amtrak to issue full refunds to passengers for the purchase price of the covered rail passenger transportation if there is a cancellation or a delay of more than three hours in the journey completion time that is due to a failure of Amtrak. Under the bill, covered rail passenger transportation means (1) rail passenger transportation provided by, or on behalf of, Amtrak; or (2) commuter rail passenger transportation that travels over Amtrak-owned rails, regardless of whether it is provided by Amtrak or other rail carriers. The regulations must include procedures for (1) determining if a cancellation or delay is due to a failure of Amtrak, and (2) Amtrak to dispute that a cancellation or delay is subject to the refund requirements. The bill prohibits Amtrak from receiving federal funds for any period during which DOT determines that Amtrak is noncompliant with these requirements. Amtrak must submit a report to Congress on alternative asset maintenance strategies to replace the run-to-fail maintenance model (i.e., using passenger rail equipment and infrastructure until it no longer works or exceeds its estimated lifespan), including the cost of the strategies. Within two years of this bill's enactment, Amtrak must (1) stop using a run-to-fail maintenance model, and (2) implement a new asset maintenance strategy.
Introduced Jan 28, 2025Updated Jan 29, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.