Bills · HR 853
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 853Transportation and Public Works
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
INTRO JAN 31· LAST ACTION FEB 1
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a critical gap in how local communities respond to and recover from train accidents involving hazardous materials, which can be devastating. Currently, local emergency services often bear significant financial strain for equipment, personnel, and cleanup after such events. By creating a dedicated fund and a rapid reimbursement process, the bill aims to ensure that these 'local heroes' have the necessary resources without delay, potentially leading to faster and more effective responses that protect public health and safety.
Furthermore, requiring railroads to provide advance warning and real-time tracking of hazardous material trains would significantly enhance local preparedness. This proactive approach allows communities to better plan for potential emergencies, evacuate if necessary, and deploy resources strategically. Without this bill, communities would continue to rely on often-delayed and patchwork funding solutions, and emergency responders would lack critical advance information, potentially increasing risks during dangerous train incidents.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to declare a 'hazardous train event' within three days of a train incident involving dangerous materials.
This declaration triggers immediate financial assistance for affected local emergency responders.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund in the U.S. Treasury, administered by the FRA, to provide financial assistance to local emergency responders.
This creates a dedicated and consistent funding source for emergency response efforts.
PROVISION 03
Mandates an immediate award of at least $250,000 and potentially up to an additional $3,000,000 to eligible local emergency responders for costs like damaged equipment, overtime pay, and operational expenses.
This provision ensures rapid financial support directly reaches local responders when they need it most.
PROVISION 04
Requires railroads transporting hazardous materials to provide advance warning and real-time location information to county and local emergency response groups.
This helps local communities and first responders to be better prepared for potential incidents.
PROVISION 05
Imposes a new annual fee on large shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail to deposit funds into the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund.
This shifts the financial burden of managing these emergencies to the industries involved in transporting hazardous materials.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Pennsylvania
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
36
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 1
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
JAN 31
Introduced in House
JAN 31
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 853
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 31, 2025
Last actionFeb 1, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 31, 2025
House BillHR 853Transportation and Public Works
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
INTRODUCED JAN 31, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 1, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
