Bill · S. 2104· Senate(119-S-2104)
Reliable Rail Service Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/18/2025
- Last activity
- 6/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Tammy Baldwin
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Reliable Rail Service Act of 2025 aims to amend section 11101 of title 49 of the United States Code. This amendment would require rail carriers to provide service that meets a shipper's need for timely, efficient, and reliable service. It establishes specific factors for the Board to consider when determining if a rail carrier has violated its obligations. These factors include looking at service frequency, employment levels, and equipment availability. Additionally, the bill mandates expedited timelines for Board proceedings regarding these matters.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Shippers and business owners benefit from more predictable and reliable rail services.
Would farmers be better off under this?+4
Agricultural shippers often rely heavily on rail for reliable commodity transport.
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?+4
Reliable rail service facilitates smoother interstate commerce for shippers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Service Reliability: The bill requires rail carriers to meet the shipper's need for timely, efficient, and reliable rail service, as well as fulfill reasonable service requirements (Section 2, subsection (a)).
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Standardized Service Terms: The amendment allows for the inclusion of reasonable transit or cycle times and other service standards as requested by the person seeking service (Section 2, subsection (b)).
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Accountability for Service Reductions: The Board can consider the impact of reductions in service frequency, employment levels, or equipment availability when determining if a carrier has violated its obligations (Section 2, subsection (a)(2)(A-C)).
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Faster Dispute Resolution: The bill mandates that proceedings regarding a rail carrier's alleged violation be expedited and completed within 180 days, while proceedings to obtain service terms must be completed within 45 days (Section 2, subsection (g)).
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Prescribed Service Standards: If a violation is found, the Board has the authority to prescribe reasonable transit or cycle times or other service standards to ensure property is delivered according to the requester's needs (Section 2, subsection (h)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in 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 Business Owners+5Good For Farmers+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Union Workers+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+4Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process+1Improves Government Transparency+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Consumer Protection+2
- 6/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas