Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
Plain Language Summary
# Plain Language Summary: Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act **What the bill does:** This bill would create a federal emergency fund to reimburse local first responders—like firefighters and police departments—when they respond to serious train accidents involving hazardous materials. If the Federal Railroad Administration declares that a hazardous train event has occurred (such as a derailment or crash carrying dangerous cargo), eligible local groups would automatically receive at least $250,000 to cover response costs, with up to $3 million available per incident. **Who it affects and what costs are covered:** Local emergency response agencies would benefit directly by getting reimbursed for expenses they incur during hazardous train incidents, including overtime pay for firefighters and police officers, and costs to replace damaged or contaminated equipment.
Communities near rail lines would indirectly benefit if local agencies have more resources to respond quickly and effectively to dangerous situations. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. Sponsor Christopher Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat, introduced the bill—likely in response to train incidents affecting his district.
CRS Official Summary
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises ActThis bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups.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.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 or law enforcement officers, and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date.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.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) advance 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.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.