PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3561-3562)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 13, 2005
Extremely Hazardous Materials Rail Transportation Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to prescribe regulations that coordinate the efforts of Federal, State, and local agencies to prevent terrorist acts and respond to emergencies that may occur in connection with the transportation by rail of extremely hazardous materials. Defines extremely hazardous material as material that is toxic by inhalation, extremely flammable, highly explosive, a high-level radioactive waste, or otherwise designated by the Secretary.
Requires the Secretary, in prescribing the regulations, to compile a list of area of concern communities, including those through or near which the rail transportation of extremely hazardous materials poses a serious risk to the public health and safety.
Directs the Secretary to prescribe by regulation standards for ensuring the safety and physical integrity of pressurized rail tank cars used to transport extremely hazardous materials.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the safety and security of, and the threat posed by acts of terrorism to, the transportation by rail of extremely hazardous materials.
Sets forth whistleblower protections for persons involved in the transportation of extremely hazardous materials. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ] · D–NJ
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3561-3562)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3560-3561)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.773 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.773 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.773 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.773 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.