Bipartisan House group revives Railway Safety Act

A bipartisan group of House representatives last week introduced legislation that would strengthen hazardous materials oversight, emergency response support and rail safety standards. 

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 (H.R. 928) was introduced to address what the lawmakers believe to be gaps in rail safety regulations that came to light after the 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern Railway freight train carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio. The legislation revives earlier versions of proposed Railway Safety Act bills introduced but not yet passed by Congress. 

The House bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.). Late last month, a Senate version was introduced by Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

The bill incorporates the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations following its investigation into the 2023 accident. The legislation also requires the use of defect detectors, expands hazardous materials train safety restrictions and ensures rail cars are properly inspected and maintained, according to a press release issued by DeLuzio's office.

In addition, the legislation includes key provisions to support first responders, reforms the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness programs to ensure fire departments can purchase personal protective gear, and requires railroads to tell states what materials trains are carrying through their communities.

"This bill advances commonsense, practical safety reforms that help ensure our rail system works the way Americans expect it to. The East Palestine tragedy was a painful reminder of what’s at stake, and we must turn those lessons into real, enforceable protections that strengthen our rail infrastructure, protect supply chains, and support good-paying union jobs for rail workers nationwide," said LaLota.