Transportation (Rail) in United States

in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 8410: Safe Tracks Act

The Safe Tracks Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to update federal regulations within 30 days of enactment to apply specific safety standards to centralized computer-aided train-dispatching systems and centralized traffic control boards. This change directly affects existing and future deployments of these automated train control technologies used by railroads. The bill mandates that these systems comply with the safety requirements outlined in subpart H of part 236 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which covers critical safety protocols for train operations. By updating the regulatory framework, the legislation aims to ensure consistent safety oversight across all centralized train dispatching infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 8399: STAR Act

The STAR Act (HR 8399) aims to remove certain restrictions on how federal transit funds can be used. Specifically, it amends sections of title 49, United States Code, related to federal transit programs. The bill strikes provisions that currently prohibit the use of federal funds for acquiring transit rolling stock manufactured outside the United States and for constructing bus revenue vehicles by manufacturers not established in the U

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail Vehicle Registration

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 7011: Under Pressure Act

This bill, the "Under Pressure Act," directs the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to prepare a report for Congress within 18 months of its enactment. The report must detail the rate and causes of rail tank car pressure relief device failures during derailments, including specific information like the presence of fire, its temperature and duration, and the device's compatibility and thermal protection. It also requires the FRA to provide recommendations to prevent future failures and an update on relevant National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations. The FRA must consult with various rail industry stakeholders and employee organizations while developing this report.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Rail

in committee · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8315: Modal Parity in Permitting Act

The Modal Parity in Permitting Act aims to streamline the acquisition of land for federally funded transit and passenger rail projects, directly affecting transit agencies and rail entities. It updates existing law by broadening the term "right-of-way" to "real property interests" for what federal transit funds can acquire. For passenger rail projects, the bill specifically allows recipients of federal aid to acquire or secure real property interests before or during environmental reviews. However, it explicitly prohibits any physical development or improvement on these properties until all required environmental reviews for the project are completed. The Federal Transit Administration is also directed to update its guidelines to reflect these changes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8362: Transit Workforce Development Act

The Transit Workforce Development Act expands how federal grants for buses and bus facilities can be used for workforce training. It increases the portion of these grants that transit agencies can dedicate to workforce development from 5% to 10% of the allocated funds. Additionally, the bill broadens the types of training eligible for these funds, allowing them to cover all buses, related equipment, and facility construction,

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4178: National Transit Frontline Workforce Training Act

This bill creates a Transit Workforce Center to help improve training and support for frontline public transportation workers across the United States. The Federal Transit Administration would establish this center by awarding grants to a qualified nonprofit organization that operates nationally and has experience in workforce development. The center would develop training programs, provide technical assistance, share educational resources, and analyze workforce data to help transit agencies recruit, hire, train, and retain skilled workers. It would also focus on emerging technology areas and work in partnership with labor groups, industry associations, and transit providers to address workforce needs in urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal areas.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7748: Railway Safety Act of 2026

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 establishes new safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, including speed limits, enhanced reporting, and stricter tank car standards. It mandates that high-hazard trains carrying flammable liquids or toxic materials be limited to 40 mph in urban areas, while requiring railroads to provide real-time information to emergency responders. The bill also increases penalties for safety violations, requires more frequent inspections of rail equipment, and creates a new emergency response assistance program to help communities affected by hazardous materials incidents. Additionally, it authorizes funding for research into safer tank cars and defect detection systems, and requires the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its safety workforce management.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

in committee · United States · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 8068: National Transit Frontline Workforce Training Act

This bill establishes a Transit Workforce Center to support the recruitment, training, and retention of skilled frontline public transportation workers. The center would be run by a qualified nonprofit organization selected through federal grants and tasked with developing training programs, educational resources, and technical assistance for transit providers across urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal areas. Key duties include conducting data analytics on workforce trends, facilitating industry dialogues, and promoting outreach to improve job readiness for workers using new technologies. The legislation requires the center to collaborate with the Federal Transit Administration, transit providers, and employee representatives while considering feedback from providers when creating training initiatives.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8233: No CIG Act

The No CIG Act eliminates the Federal Transit Administration's Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants program by repealing the relevant sections of the U.S. Code. This change directly affects public transit agencies that previously received funding for building or upgrading rail systems, as they will no longer be eligible for these specific grants. The bill removes the legal authority for the program and makes corresponding adjustments to related code sections to ensure consistency.

Topics ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 7843: No Free Rides Act of 2026

This bill, known as the No Free Rides Act of 2026, would prohibit federal public transportation funding recipients from offering universal free fare policies that allow all riders to use transit services without paying. The law would still permit targeted fare policies that provide free or reduced-cost rides for specific groups such as seniors, low-income riders, students, or employees with employer-paid agreements. Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation could grant waivers if a transit agency can demonstrate a dedicated non-federal revenue source to support universal free fare programs. The measure directly affects public transportation agencies that receive federal assistance under Title 49 of the United States Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail Transportation Funding

All transportation bills