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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 2095 (110th)

Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 May 2007

Last action

16 October 2008 · Became law

Status

Became Public Law No: 110-432.

Sponsors

Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8], Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5], DON YOUNG, Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Carney, Christopher P. [D-PA-10], Rep. Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [D-IL-2], Raúl Grijalva, MIKE DOYLE, Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1], Brian Higgins, MICHAEL CAPUANO, Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-4], Grace Napolitano, Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Rep. Delahunt, Bill [D-MA-10], Rep. Bishop, Timothy H. [D-NY-1], Daniel Lipinski, Linda Sánchez, ALCEE HASTINGS, Rep. Allen, Thomas H. [D-ME-1], Albio Sires, Rep. Gonzalez, Charles A. [D-TX-20], Rep. Murphy, Patrick J. [D-PA-8], Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16], Rep. Space, Zachary T. [D-OH-18], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8], Rep. Arcuri, Michael A. [D-NY-24], FRANK LOBIONDO, David Loebsack, Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14], Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-11], Rep. Rothman, Steven R. [D-NJ-9], Rep. Miller, Brad [D-NC-13], Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large], Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3], ELIJAH CUMMINGS, Bill Pascrell, COLLIN PETERSON, Christopher Smith, Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15], James McGovern

Subjects

Environment, Transport

Source updated

7 April 2025

Environment · Transport

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Summary

Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes the Federal Railroad Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation (effectively replacing the Federal Railroad Administration). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop a long-term strategy for improving railroad safety. Redefines "signal employee" to eliminate the requirement that such individual be employed by a railroad carrier. Revises hours of service requirements for a signal employee and a train employee to prohibit, except in an emergency, a railroad carrier from requiring or allowing such employee to remain or go on duty: (1) unless the employee has had at least 10 consecutive hours off duty during the prior 24 hours; (2) for a period in excess of 12 consecutive hours; or (3) unless the employee has had at least one period of at least 24 consecutive hours off duty in the past seven consecutive days. Requires each railroad carrier to submit to the Secretary a fatigue management plan to reduce accidents and injuries caused by fatigue. Sets forth additional whistleblower protections for those who provide notification of a work-related injury or illness, who cooperate with a safety investigation, who furnish rail accident information, who accurately report hours of duty, or who refuse to authorize the use of safety equipment, track, or structures that are in a hazardous condition. Entitles a prevailing employee who alleges discrimination to damages. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such requirements. Revises emergency notification of grade crossing problems provisions to require each railroad carrier to establish a toll-free telephone service for the public to report malfunctions of signals and disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks at grade crossings. Increases penalties for violations of rail safety regulations prescribed or orders issued by the Secretary, including violations related to rail accident reporting and hours of service. Makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly interfere with a rail accident investigation. Sets forth rail safety requirements concerning: (1) positive train control systems; (2) warnings in nonsignaled areas; (3) track management; (4) conductor certification; (5) employee training; (6) treatment of employee injuries; (7) emergency breathing apparatus; and (8) the locomotive cab environment. Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007 - 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 each rail passenger carrier to submit to the Secretary and the NTSB a plan for addressing the needs of such families.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 May 2007

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 May 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 1 May 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 2 May 2007

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E916-917)

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 2 May 2007

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

    Source: Committee

  6. 10 May 2007

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1015-1017)

    Source: IntroReferral

  7. 22 May 2007

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Source: Committee

  8. 22 May 2007

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 14 June 2007

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  10. 14 June 2007

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 19 September 2007

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 208.

    Source: Calendars

  12. 19 September 2007

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-336.

    Source: Committee

  13. 19 September 2007

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-336.

    Source: Committee

  14. 10 October 2007

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 724 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2095 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against the consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill.

    Source: Floor

  15. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H11694)

    Source: Floor

  16. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2095.

    Source: Floor

  17. 17 October 2007

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 724 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  18. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2095.

    Source: Floor

  19. 17 October 2007

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  20. 17 October 2007

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 377 - 38 (Roll no. 980).

    Source: Floor

  21. 17 October 2007

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 377 - 38 (Roll no. 980).

    Source: Floor

  22. 17 October 2007

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 198 - 222 (Roll no. 979).

    Source: Floor

  23. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11695)

    Source: Floor

  24. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    Mr. Sali moved to recommit with instructions to Transportation. (consideration: CR H11694-11695; text: CR H11694)

    Source: Floor

  25. 17 October 2007

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

  26. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Earl Pomeroy to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  27. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 724 and Rule XVIII.

    Source: Floor

  28. 17 October 2007

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2095 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against the consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill.

    Source: Floor

  29. 17 October 2007

    Reported

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 724. (consideration: CR H11671-11696; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11677-11687)

    Source: Floor

  30. 18 October 2007

    Introduced

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

    Source: IntroReferral

  31. 1 August 2008

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8003)

    Source: Floor

  32. 1 August 2008

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  33. 1 August 2008

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

  34. 1 August 2008

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  35. 24 September 2008

    Passed

    House agreed to Senate amendment with an amendment pursuant to H.Res. 1492.

    Source: Floor

  36. 25 September 2008

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate amendment.

    Source: Floor

  37. 27 September 2008

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10019-10020)

    Source: Floor

  38. 29 September 2008

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10031-10037, S10039-10041, S10041, S10049, S10051-10052)

    Source: Floor

  39. 30 September 2008

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10119-10126)

    Source: Floor

  40. 1 October 2008

    Vote

    Senate agreed to motion to agree to House amendment to Senate amendment to the measure by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 210.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  41. 1 October 2008

    Vote

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to motion to agree to House amendment to Senate amendment to the measure by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 210.

    Source: NotUsed

  42. 1 October 2008

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10283-10290)

    Source: Floor

  43. 1 October 2008

    Action

    Cleared for White House.

  44. 2 October 2008

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  45. 6 October 2008

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  46. 6 October 2008

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  47. 16 October 2008

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  48. 16 October 2008

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 110-432.

    Source: President

  49. 16 October 2008

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

Votes

1 October 2008 · Motion Agreed to · On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amdt. To the Senate Amdt. to H.R. 2095) · Motion Agreed to · Official source

Yes 74 · No 24 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 2

Showing the first 8 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

21 official files

Public Law (text)

View fileDownload file

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 97 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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