Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9409
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T11:00:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill aims to enhance railroad safety by restricting the use of remote control locomotives (RCLs), which are locomotives operated via radio link from outside the cab. It seeks to ensure human oversight in train operations, particularly on main lines and outside yards.
Key Provisions
- Prohibitions: Railroads may not operate trains outside yards without a certified human engineer physically in the lead locomotive cab who can assume control. RCLs are banned on main lines (tracks carrying 5 million or more gross tons annually).
- Main Line Requirements: Trains on main lines must have a certified engineer (under 49 CFR Part 240) in the cab; remote-control-only certification does not suffice.
- Waiver Restrictions: The Secretary of Transportation cannot waive these rules for Class I or II railroads or tracks rated Class 1 or higher (per 49 CFR Part 213).
- Enforcement and Compliance: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) must audit Class I railroads within 180 days and conduct unscheduled audits for others within one year.
- Regulations and Penalties: The Secretary issues necessary rules, including updates to 49 CFR Part 229.15. Violations incur civil penalties of the greater of 1% of annual income or $1 million per day, with daily accrual for ongoing issues.
- Effective Date: The Act takes effect immediately upon enactment, bypassing standard rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. § 553.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new statutory limits on RCL operations that go beyond current Federal Railroad Administration regulations. It explicitly bars RCL use on main lines and outside yards without on-site engineers, and it removes waiver authority for major railroads and higher-class tracks. It also mandates immediate compliance audits and sets high fixed penalties tied to a railroad's income, altering enforcement under 49 U.S.C. §§ 21301 and 21304.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases FRA workload for audits and inspections; requires the Department of Transportation to issue conforming regulations.
- Citizens: May improve rail safety for workers and communities near tracks by limiting remote operations.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
- Rail Industry: Raises operational costs for Class I and II railroads due to required staffing and potential fines; smaller Class III railroads face compliance audits but fewer absolute bans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Class I, II, and III railroad carriers and their operators.
- Certified locomotive engineers and remote control operators.
- The Federal Railroad Administration and Secretary of Transportation.
- Rail workers and communities along main lines.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation asserts strong federal authority over interstate rail operations by prohibiting waivers and bypassing administrative rulemaking procedures. Penalties are tied directly to a company's financial scale, which could affect due process considerations in enforcement. It reinforces federal preemption in rail safety without addressing state-level variations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)