H.R. 9998: Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act
Introduced: October 25, 2024
Sponsor: Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ)
Cosponsors: Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Matt Gaetz (R-FL)
Committees: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Summary:
The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish new regulations to ensure the safety and transparency of railroad bridges in the United States.
Key Provisions:
- Bridge Inspection: Requires railroads to conduct regular inspections of all railroad bridges and submit inspection reports to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
- Bridge Risk Assessment: Directs the FRA to develop a risk assessment model to prioritize railroad bridges for inspection and maintenance.
- Bridge Investment: Provides funding for railroad bridge maintenance and repair programs.
- Transparency and Reporting: Requires railroads to publicly disclose information about railroad bridge inspections, repairs, and maintenance.
Background:
Railroad bridges are critical infrastructure for moving people and goods across the United States. However, in recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents of railroad bridge failures, including the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2007.
The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act is designed to address the safety concerns associated with railroad bridges by requiring regular inspections, risk assessments, and increased transparency.
Controversy:
The bill has drawn criticism from some railroad industry representatives, who argue that it is unnecessary and would impose excessive costs on railroads. However, supporters of the bill maintain that it is necessary to ensure the safety of the nation’s railroad bridges.
Next Steps:
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It is currently scheduled for a hearing on November 8, 2024.
H.R. 9998 (IH) – Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act
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