This bill would create a federal fund to help state and local emergency responders cover the costs of dealing with train accidents involving hazardous materials. The fund would provide at least $250,000 in immediate assistance after a declared hazardous event, with the potential for up to $3 million in additional aid. The bill also requires railroads to provide advance warning and real-time location information to local authorities.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would create a federal fund to help state and local emergency responders cover the costs of dealing with train accidents involving hazardous materials. The fund would provide at least $250,000 in immediate assistance after a declared hazardous event, with the potential for up to $3 million in additional aid. The bill also requires railroads to provide advance warning and real-time location information to local authorities.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups.</p> <p>Specifically, upon a declaration by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a hazardous train event has occurred, the FRA must immediately award at least $250,000 from the emergency fund to one or more eligible groups (e.g., law enforcement agencies and fire departments). Additional amounts may be awarded, but may not exceed $3 million per hazardous train event. The FRA may declare a hazardous train event has occurred following a derailment or crash involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment. </p> <p>Costs associated with a response to a hazardous train event that are eligible for reimbursement include (1) replacing damaged or contaminated equipment; (2) overtime pay for firefighters, law enforcement officers, or other emergency responders; and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date.</p> <p>The FRA must also (1) establish annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail that have total annual collections of at least $10 million, and (2) deposit the fees into the reimbursement fund.</p> <p>Further, the Department of Transportation must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials by train to provide county and local emergency response groups with (1) advanced warning of the train's load and timing, and (2) real-time location information on the train when it enters and exits the community's service area.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Establishes a federal Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund to aid state and local emergency response groups after train accidents involving hazardous materials
Requires at least $250,000 in immediate assistance and up to $3 million total per hazardous event
Calls for railroads to provide advance warning and real-time location information to local authorities about trains carrying hazardous materials
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would directly impact state and local law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency responders by providing them with financial assistance to cover the costs of responding to train accidents involving hazardous materials. It could lead to faster and more effective emergency responses, as well as better preparedness for these types of incidents in communities across the country.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
844, 119th Congress (2025). "Faster Labor Contracts Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-844
