Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7784

Rep. Titus Introduces Secure Tracks Act to Mandate Frequent Railroad Inspections

Secure Tracks Act

18 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

The bill requires railroads to have a qualified human inspector visually check all main line tracks rated for medium-to-high speeds at least twice per week, with at least one calendar day between inspections. This ensures physical eyes-on-the-ground detection of cracks, loose bolts, and other dangerous conditions.
From policy text
“All main line track designated for operation at Class 3 track speeds or higher under section 213.9 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026, shall be subject to visual inspection by a qualified inspector not less frequently than twice each week, with at least 1 calendar day between each inspection.”
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When any safety defect is found—whether by a person or a machine—railroads must fix it, protect it, or take that track out of service immediately. The qualified inspector has sole authority over whether trains can move on that section of track during repairs.
From policy text
“Any defect or unsafe condition identified by any inspection, detection, or monitoring method shall be corrected, protected, or removed from service immediately upon detection, consistent with the requirements of part 213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations”
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Within one year of enactment, the Department of Transportation must update federal regulations to require automated Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS) inspections at frequencies ranging from once a year for lower-class track to twice every 30 days for the highest-speed track (Class 9).
From policy text
“Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall update subparts F and G of part 213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require that a Track Geometry Measurement System operate over the following track classifications at the following frequencies”
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The bill prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from granting waivers, exemptions, or modifications to railroad safety inspection rules unless the alternative method can detect every single defect condition recognized as unsafe under existing federal regulations.
From policy text
“the Secretary of Transportation may not grant a waiver, exemption, or modification of any safety regulation issued under chapter II of subtitle B of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026, if the proposed alternative inspection, detection, or monitoring method fails to identify or detect all defect conditions defined or recognized as unsafe”
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Infrastructure Transportation

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 4, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year of enactment

DOT must update federal regulations to require automated Track Geometry Measurement System inspections at specified frequencies for each track class

Railroads will need to invest in and deploy TGMS technology across their networks on set schedules, catching alignment and geometry problems that human inspectors might miss

Upon enactment

Twice-weekly visual inspections become mandatory on all Class 3+ main line track

Railroads must have qualified inspectors physically walking or riding their main line tracks at least twice a week, which may require hiring additional inspection staff

Related News

4 articles

Trains·17 days ago

New legislation would require railroads to conduct automated and human track inspections

Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Josh Hawley introduced the Secure Tracks Act, requiring Class 3+ tracks to receive visual inspections twice weekly. The bill also mandates automated inspections using Track Geometry Measurement Systems and gives inspectors sole authority to clear tracks after repairs.

Progressive Railroading·16 days ago

Senate bill would require human and automated track inspections

The Secure Tracks Act aims to prevent derailments by requiring both automated technology and human inspections. It would prohibit the DOT from issuing waivers that reduce human inspections if the alternative fails to detect all unsafe conditions recognized under federal regulations.

Transportation Today·16 days ago

Bipartisan bill to reduce train derailments introduced

The Secure Tracks Act would require railroads to use both automated track inspection (ATI) technology and human track inspections. The bill follows FRA waivers that allowed railroads to reduce human inspections, a move the bill's sponsors argue misses key issues that cause derailments.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Secure Tracks Act

Bill NumberHR 7784

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sponsor

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.