Railway Safety Act of 2026

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 enhances safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials. Title I, Rail Safety, defines high-hazard trains and sets safety requirements for them. Sec. 102, Safety requirements for high-hazard trains, amends tank car safety requirements for trains carrying flammable liquids, gases, or toxic materials. Sec. 103, Ensuring the safety of long trains, requires the Secretary to evaluate safety concerns from reports on long trains and update regulations if needed. Sec. 104, Blocked highway-rail grade crossings, mandates a study of frequently blocked crossings and recommendations to prevent them. Sec. 105, Inspections, prohibits railroads from limiting inspection time and requires updated pre-departure inspection rules for Class I railroads. Sec. 106, Emergency brake signals, convenes a committee to review emergency brake signal regulations and communications. Sec. 107, Defect detection systems, adds a new section requiring defect detection systems on main lines for high-hazard trains. Sec. 108, Safe Freight Act of 2026, requires a 2-person crew for freight trains operated by Class I railroads, with exceptions. Sec. 109, Increased penalties for violations of rail safety regulations, raises civil penalties for safety violations to between $5,000 and $1,000,000. Sec. 110, Safer tank cars, phases out older tank cars for Class 3 flammable liquids by December 31, 2027, requiring DOT-117 specifications. Sec. 111, Rail safety infrastructure research and development grants, authorizes $25,000,000 for grants on defect detectors and derailment prevention. Sec. 112, Authorization of appropriations for tank car research and development, authorizes $5,000,000 for stronger tank cars and safety features. Sec. 113, Federal Railroad Administration safety culture, requires a review of the agency's safety culture and an action plan. Sec. 114, GAO report on roadway worker protections, requires a review of technologies to protect workers from being struck by trains. Sec. 115, Federal Railroad Administration safety workforce management, requires a report on inspector and specialist staffing. Sec. 116, Office of Personnel Management review of safety inspector and specialist classifications, requires a review and possible revision of the Railroad Safety Series job classification. Sec. 117, Alcohol and drug testing, requires alcohol and drug testing for employees who inspect rail equipment. Title II, Hazardous Materials Emergency Response and Preparedness, Sec. 201, Hazardous materials registration fees, establishes annual fees for hazardous materials registrants, ranging from $250 to $5,000. Sec. 202, Virtual training options, adds recommendations for virtual training courses for hazardous materials response. Sec. 203, Hazardous materials transportation emergency response and preparedness grants, expands grant uses to include personal protective equipment and exercises. Sec. 204, Emergency response assistance, creates a program for eligible entities to request assistance for significant hazardous materials incidents.