H.R. 4397 (Introduced in House)

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Rail Safety Act”.

Sec. 2 Prepositioning of emergency response equipment

(a)

In general— Not later than 6 months after the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and preposition caches of emergency response equipment to facilitate the rapid deployment of resources needed to reduce damage to life, property, and the environment in the event of an accident involving rail tank cars transporting hazardous material, crude oil, or flammable liquids.

(b)

Contents— The caches described in subsection (a) may include—

(1)

firefighting equipment;

(2)

fire suppression agents; and

(3)

any other safety equipment considered necessary by the Administrator to respond to railroad accidents involving hazardous material, crude oil, or flammable liquids.

(c)

Location— The caches described in subsection (a) shall be—

(1)

located along rail routes over which a high volume of high-hazard trains operate; and

(2)

strategically prepositioned along such routes in a manner that lowers the response time of firefighters to—

(A)

fight fires involving crude oil and other flammable liquids; and

(B)

prevent such fires from spreading.

(d)

Consultation— In determining the contents of the caches under subsection (b) and the location of the caches under subsection (c), the Administrator shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation, appropriate State and local governments, railroad carriers, and local first responders.

(e)

Fee collection— The Administrator may collect fees from railroad carriers, as appropriate, to develop and preposition the caches under subsection (a).

(f)

Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

Rail Safety Act

Section 1 Short title

Sec. 2 Prepositioning of emergency response equipment

Cite this provision

Incoming references