Secure Tracks Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7784
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:07:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Secure Tracks Act (H.R. 7784) aims to improve railroad safety by mandating stricter requirements for visual and automated inspections of train tracks. It amends title 49 of the United States Code to ensure defects are detected and fixed promptly, reducing the risk of accidents on higher-speed rail lines.
Key Provisions
- Visual Track Inspections: Main line tracks (primary routes for passenger and freight trains) rated for Class 3 speeds or higher (generally 40 mph or more) must be visually inspected by a qualified inspector (a trained professional certified to spot track defects) at least twice per week, with at least one calendar day between inspections.
- Immediate Defect Remediation: Any safety issue found through inspections, detection tools, or monitoring must be fixed, protected, or taken out of service right away, following existing federal rules in place as of January 1, 2026.
- Inspector Authority: If a qualified inspector identifies a problem (a deviation from safety standards), they must start repairs immediately and have exclusive power to approve any train movements needed for fixes on unsafe track sections.
- Limits on Waivers: The Secretary of Transportation cannot approve any waiver, exemption, or change to safety rules if it uses a method that misses defects defined as unsafe under current Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations (as of January 1, 2026).
- Automated Track Inspections (TGMS): Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must update rules for Track Geometry Measurement Systems (TGMS; automated devices that measure track alignment, elevation, and other physical features while a train is moving). These must run at specific frequencies based on track class (a federal rating of track quality and speed limits) and annual gross tonnage (total weight of trains using the track):
- Higher-speed or busier tracks (e.g., Class 5 or above, or tracks with over 15 million gross tons yearly) require inspections 2–4 times per year or more frequently (e.g., every 6–170 days).
- Lower-class tracks (e.g., Class 1–2) need at least once or twice yearly.
- Crossovers (track switches) over 30 mph require twice yearly checks.
- Fixing Automated Findings: Updated rules will require immediate fixes for any TGMS-detected issues, handled by qualified personnel.
- Regulatory Updates: All new requirements apply to relevant track types, building on existing FRA rules in 49 CFR Part 213 (track safety standards).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new section (20172) to Subchapter II of Chapter 201 in title 49, U.S. Code, specifically for visual and automated inspection rules—previously, inspections were governed more generally under FRA regulations without these exact frequencies or prohibitions.
- Increases minimum visual inspection frequency from the current once-weekly standard (for most tracks) to twice-weekly for higher-class main lines.
- Mandates detailed TGMS schedules tailored to track class and usage, which go beyond prior voluntary or less rigid guidelines.
- Introduces a strict no-waiver policy for methods that don't catch all known defects, limiting flexibility that existed under section 20103.
- Requires FRA to revise regulations within one year, ensuring automated and visual methods integrate seamlessly with current standards (e.g., no gaps in coverage for Classes 1–9 tracks).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation and FRA will face increased responsibilities for updating and enforcing rules, including reviewing inspection data and denying unsafe waivers. This could require additional resources for oversight and training.
- Citizens: Enhanced track safety may reduce derailments and accidents, benefiting passengers, freight shippers, and communities near rail lines by lowering injury and disruption risks.
- Railroad Industry: Operators must invest in more frequent inspections and equipment, potentially raising costs but improving reliability and liability protection.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. rail safety standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Railroad Companies: Primary operators (e.g., freight and passenger lines like Union Pacific or Amtrak) must comply with new inspection schedules and remediation protocols.
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Responsible for implementing regulatory updates and enforcing the rules.
- Railroad Inspectors and Workers: Qualified inspectors gain clearer authority and training needs; track maintenance crews will handle more immediate fixes.
- Passengers and Shippers: Indirectly benefit from safer travel and cargo transport.
- Communities Near Tracks: Reduced accident risks could minimize local environmental and safety hazards from spills or disruptions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of rail safety under the commerce clause (which gives Congress power over interstate transport), potentially leading to more litigation if companies challenge inspection costs or waiver denials. Builds directly on existing FRA authority without creating new enforcement mechanisms.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with established federal regulation of railroads as interstate commerce, avoiding states' rights issues by standardizing national rules.
- Political: Emphasizes proactive safety measures, which could influence future rail funding debates or responses to accidents, but the bill itself is narrowly focused on inspections without broader policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-03-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Secure Tracks Act — issued 2026-03-04 — PDF (7 pages)