Review – HR 853 Introduced – Hazardous Train Event

Back in January Rep Deluzio (D,PA) introduced HR 853, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act. The bill would establish the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund which would provide funds to emergency response personnel in the event of a newly defined ‘Hazardous Train Event’. The monies for the fund would come from a levy on hazardous materials rail shippers and railroads. No other funding is authorized.

The bill would add a new §20904, Hazardous Train Events, to 49 USC. It would also amend 49 USC §5108(g).

The bill is essentially identical to HR 2999 introduced by Deluzio in April, 2024. No action was taken on the legislation in the 118^th Congress.

Moving Forward

Deluzio is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. The shipper and railroad fees to support the Fund will ensure that railroads and chemical manufacturers will oppose this bill, so there is likely to be significant Republican opposition to this bill. This mean that there is very little chance that this bill will be considered in Committee and even less chance that the legislation would be taken up by the full House.

 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-853-introduced - subscription required.

HR 2999 Introduced – Hazardous Train Event

Last month, Rep Deluzio (D,PA) introduced HR 2999, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act. The bill would establish the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund which would provide funds to emergency response personnel in the event of a newly defined ‘Hazardous Train Event’ declared by FRA. The monies for the fund would come from a levy on hazardous materials rail shippers and railroads. No other funding is authorized.

This is a companion bill (identical language) to S 844 [removed from paywall] that was introduced earlier last month by Sen Casey (D,PA). No action has been taken in the Senate on that bill.

Moving Forward

Neither Deluzio, nor his sole cosponsor {Rep Fitzpatrick (R,PA)} are members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there is probably not enough influence to see this bill considered in Committee. The shipper and railroad fees to support the Fund will ensure that railroads and chemical manufacturers will oppose this bill. If the bill were considered in Committee, it may pass along partisan lines, but it will not have enough support to be considered by the full Senate.

Bills Introduced – 4-28-23

Yesterday, with just the House in session, there were 58 bills introduced. One of those bills will receive additional attention in this blog: 

HR 2999 To authorize the declaration of a hazardous train event, and for other purposes. Deluzio, Christopher R. [Rep.-D-PA-17]