Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2007

Summary

Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) railroad safety, including transportation of hazardous materials; (2) deployment of a Gage Restraint Measurement System vehicle and a track geometry vehicle or other comparable technology in each region; (3) construction of the Facility for Underground Rail Station and Tunnel Testing and Training at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc., in Pueblo, Colorado; and (4) rail security personnel in Department of Transportation (DOT) regional offices and in Washington, DC. Provides for the appointment of a Chief Safety Officer for the Federal Railroad Administration. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to develop: (1) a long-term railroad safety strategy; and (2) a railroad safety risk reduction pilot program. Revises hours of service requirements for train and signal employees to include that such employees may not be required to be on duty for more than 12 consecutive hours. Sets forth requirements for: (1) the prevention and reduction of pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents and other incidents, injuries, and fatalities at or near passenger stations, railroad rights-of-way, and highway-rail grade crossings; and (2) the development of new technology to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings. Requires the Secretary to increase gradually the number of rail safety-related employees at the Federal Railroad Administration. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require railroad carriers and railroad contractors and subcontractors to develop plans that train certain crafts or classes of employees on relevant federal railroad safety laws and regulations. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a railroad safety technology grants program; and (2) a railroad safety infrastructure improvement grants program. Directs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to provide certain assistance to families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident that results in a major loss of life. Requires a rail passenger carrier to submit to the NTSB, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Homeland Security a plan for addressing the needs of such families. Exempts solid waste management facilities from the exclusive jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (effectively allowing state and local authorities to regulate solid waste management facilities).

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Timeline

1. 26 July 2007

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 26 July 2007

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 27 September 2007

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

4. 3 March 2008

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 590.

   Source: Calendars

5. 3 March 2008

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-270.

   Source: Committee

6. 3 March 2008

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-270.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 3 March 2008 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 26 July 2007 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 3 March 2008

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 3 March 2008

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 3 March 2008

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 26 July 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 26 July 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 26 July 2007

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Charles Schumer · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] · D · Cosponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008