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Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
2/28/2025, 9:08 AM
Summary of Bill HR 853
The legislation also establishes a process for notifying relevant federal, state, and local authorities in the event of a hazardous train event, as well as procedures for coordinating response efforts and providing assistance to affected communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidelines for responding to hazardous train events and to provide training and resources to emergency responders.
Overall, Bill 119 HR 853 seeks to improve the response to hazardous train events and ensure the safety of communities located near railroad tracks. It emphasizes the importance of coordination and communication among various levels of government and emergency response agencies in order to effectively address and mitigate the impacts of such incidents.
Congressional Summary of HR 853
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
This 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.
