H.R. 7338

119 HR 7338 IH: Railroad Safety and Accountability Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-02-03
 text/xml
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7338  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 3, 2026   Mrs. Sykes  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure    A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to codify the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Railroad Safety and Accountability Act  .
2.
Codification of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
(a)
In general
Subchapter I of  chapter 201  of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
20122.
Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
(a)
In general
The Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration shall maintain an advisory committee, to be known as the  Railroad Safety Advisory Committee , for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations to the Administrator regarding the development of railroad safety regulatory programs, including the issuance of new regulations, review and revision of existing regulations, and identification of non-regulatory alternatives for improving railroad safety.
(b)
Duties
The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee shall have the following responsibilities:
(1)
To provide a forum for collaborative rulemaking and regulatory program development with respect to railroad safety.
(2)
To develop, through collaborative processes involving all segments of the railroad community, regulatory standards and mutually satisfactory solutions on railroad safety regulatory issues for recommended adoption by the Administrator.
(3)
To identify and assess the facts and data underlying any real or perceived railroad safety problems, identify cost-effective solutions to such problems based upon agree-upon facts, and identify, if applicable, regulatory changes necessary to guide and implement such solutions.
(4)
Any other responsibilities consistent with the purpose described in subsection (a), as determined by the Administrator.
(c)
Members
The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee shall be comprised of not fewer than 1 representative from each major stakeholder group of the Federal Railroad Administration, including freight and passenger railroad carriers, Amtrak, organizations that represent local governments, rail passenger organizations, railroad labor organizations (including organizations representing each of operating crafts, maintenance of way employees, shop and mechanical crafts, clerks, and dispatching employees), safety-related railroad employees, and railroad suppliers and manufacturers.
(d)
Staff
The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee may employ such staff as the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee determines necessary to carry out the purpose described in subsection (a).
(e)
Task-Based working groups
(1)
Tasks
The Administrator may request the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee establish a working group for the purpose of providing specific advice and recommendations regarding a task with respect to which the Administrator is considering acting.
(2)
Working groups
If the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, based on consideration and consensus of its members, accepts a request under paragraph (1), the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee shall—
(A)
establish a working group to develop consensus recommendations for action the Administrator may take with respect to the task; and
(B)
ensure the working group is comprised of individuals that—
(i)
possess the appropriate expertise to assess and develop such recommendations; and
(ii)
are representative of the interests of stakeholders implicated by the task.
(f)
Federal Railroad Administration required engagement
The Administrator shall meet quarterly with the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to—
(1)
consult with the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee regarding the development of railroad safety regulatory programs of the Federal Railroad Administration;
(2)
advise the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee on emerging issues, statutory requirements, and other identified needs with respect to railroad safety; and
(3)
receive and discuss the views and recommendations of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee in determining regulatory priorities of the Federal Railroad Administration.
(g)
Annual report to Congress
Beginning in the first calendar year after the date of enactment of this section, the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee shall submit to Congress an annual report summarizing the activities of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee for the period covered by the report.
(h)
Federal Advisory Committee Act applicability
(1)
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2),  chapter 10  of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee.
(2)
Non-termination
Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee.
(i)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund such funds as may be necessary to carry out this section.
 .
(b)
Clerical amendment
The analysis for subchapter I of  chapter 201  of title 49, United States Code, by inserting after the item relating to section 20121 the following new item:
20122. Railroad Safety Advisory Committee.
  .