Bill · H.R. 853· House(119-HR-853)
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
- Introduced
- 1/31/2025
- Last activity
- 2/1/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Deluzio
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act" establishes a system to provide financial aid to local emergency responders following train incidents involving hazardous materials. It creates the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund to pay for costs like equipment replacement, overtime, and operational expenses. The Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration can declare a "hazardous train event" and award funds to eligible entities such as fire departments or law enforcement. Additionally, the bill requires railroads to provide advance warning and real-time location information to local response groups. To fund these efforts, the bill mandates annual fees for certain shippers and carriers of hazardous materials.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill establishes a fund to provide immediate financial relief to local emergency responders following hazardous train incidents.
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?+5
The bill mandates annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials with total annual collections of at least $10,000,000.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The bill improves emergency response capacity for incidents involving hazardous materials that threaten the environment.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Large shippers and carriers of hazardous materials will face new mandatory annual fees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial assistance for emergency responders: The bill allows the Administrator to award at least $250,000 immediately following a declaration to help cover costs like equipment that is damaged or contaminated, overtime pay for personnel, and other operational costs (Section 2(b)(2) and Section 2(d)(1)).
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Increased local preparedness: Railroads would be required to provide advance warning regarding a train's load and timing, as well as real-time location information as the train enters and exits a service area (Section 3).
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Emergency response support: The Fund can be used to retroactively cover costs incurred due to a hazardous train event (Section 2(d)(1)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Costs for specific industry players: Shippers and carriers of hazardous materials that have total annual collections of at least $10,000,000 will be required to pay annual fees prescribed by the Secretary (Section 4(a)(1)(A)).
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Requirement for documentation and potential repayment: Eligible entities must submit documentation of their costs within 120 days of a declaration, and if the Administrator determines assistance was used in violation of the Act, the entity must reimburse the Fund (Section 2(d)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Corporate Taxes+5Reduces Government Spending+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Business Owners-3
- 2/1/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 1/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania