PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 31, 2025
Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally Act or the DERAIL Act
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand the definition of a high-hazard flammable train (HHFT), thereby subjecting more trains to additional safety requirements.
Specifically, DOT must expand the definition of HHFT to mean a train transporting one or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid (e.g., benzene residue) or a Class 2 flammable gas (e.g., vinyl chloride) and other materials DOT determines necessary for safety. Current regulations define HHFT as a train transporting 20 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block or 35 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid dispersed throughout the train.
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The bill also requires railway carriers to report a train derailment that involves a train carrying material toxic by inhalation within 24 hours of the derailment to the National Response Center (NRC), state and local officials, and tribal governments. As background, the NRC is a part of the federally established National Response System. Reports to the NRC activate the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the federal government's response capabilities.
People & committees
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] · D–PA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Mar 25, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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