Review – HR 854 Introduced – DERAIL Act

Back in January Rep Deluzio (D,PA) introduced HR 854, the Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally (DERAIL) Act. The bill would require DOT to change the definition of ‘high-hazard flammable train’ (HHFT) and to require reporting derailments of involving toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) rail cars. No new funding is provided in the bill.

 

This bill is essentially identical to HR 1238 that was introduced by Deluzio in February 2023. No action was taken on that bill in the 118^th Congress.

Commentary

While the wording of this bill is relatively simple on its face, this is a prime example of simple words hiding a complex result. Part of that result in this case is intended, the notification requirements (even though protected by the SSI classification) for HHFT have long been a desire for local communities for all trains carrying hazardous materials. I have never understood this desire, since most communities do not have the funds or resources to plan, staff and equip in advance for an incident like that seen in East Palestine, Ohio in February, 2023.

 

For more details about the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-854-introduced - subscription required.

Review – Bills Introduced – 1-31-25

Yesterday, with the House meeting in pro forma session and the Senate taking a break, there were 93 bills introduced. Four of those bills will receive additional coverage in this newsletter:

HR 853 To authorize the declaration of a hazardous train event, and for other purposes. Deluzio, Christopher R. [Rep.-D-PA-17]

HR 854 To direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue certain regulations to define high-hazard flammable train, and for other purposes. Deluzio, Christopher R. [Rep.-D-PA-17]

HR 866 To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, and for other purposes. Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]

HR 872 To require covered contractors implement a vulnerability disclosure policy consistent with NIST guidelines, and for other purposes. Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]

 

For more information on these bills, and a brief history of similar bills in the 118^th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-1-31-25 - subscription required.