Bill · H.R. 7784· House(119-HR-7784)
Secure Tracks Act
- Introduced
- 3/4/2026
- Last activity
- 3/5/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Sponsored by
- Dina Titus
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Secure Tracks Act'' seeks to amend title 49 of the United States Code regarding track inspections. It establishes specific requirements for both visual and automated track inspections. The bill mandates minimum frequencies for visual inspections on main line tracks designated for certain speeds. It also requires immediate remediation of any identified safety defects or unsafe conditions. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary to update regulations to include specific requirements for Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS) operations across various track classifications.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+8
The bill enhances railroad infrastructure safety through mandatory visual and automated track inspections and immediate defect remediation.
Would union members be better off under this?+7
Improves safety and empowers qualified inspection personnel with direct authority over track repairs.
Does this give the federal government more power?+6
Expands federal oversight by mandating stricter inspection frequencies and restricting regulatory waivers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Inspection Frequency: Main line track designated for operation at Class 3 track speeds or higher must undergo visual inspection by a qualified inspector at least twice each week (Section 2, subsection a).
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Rapid Safety Corrections: Any defect or unsafe condition discovered through inspection or monitoring must be corrected, protected, or removed from service immediately upon detection (Section 2, subsection b).
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Empowered Safety Personnel: Qualified inspectors who find a deviation from requirements are required to immediately initiate remedial action and have sole authority to authorize movements to facilitate repairs on tracks out of service (Section 2, subsection c).
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Protection Against Safety Reductions: The Secretary of Transportation is prohibited from granting waivers or exemptions if the alternative method fails to detect all unsafe defect conditions recognized under Federal Railroad Administration regulations (Section 2, subsection d).
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Standardized Automated Monitoring: The bill mandates specific update to regulations to ensure Track Geometry Measurement Systems (TGMS) operate at specific frequencies based on track classification and tonnage (Section 2, subsection e).
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Mandatory Deviation Fixing: Requirements are set to ensure that when any inspection—whether by a human or a machine—finds a deviation, it must be remediated immediately (Section 2, subsection f).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+7Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Urban Residents+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Improves Interstate Commerce+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+8
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 3/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona