Railway Safety Act of 2026

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)).

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)).

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)).

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)).

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)).

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)).

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).

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)).

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)).