Congress·In Committee·H.R. 8012

Railroad Safety: Reporting Trackside Fires and Damage

HOWIE Act

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

The HOWIE Act would require the Department of Transportation to create new rules for railroad companies. Under these rules, railroads must report any accidents or damage they think they might have caused.
This bill specifically targets fires that start along the tracks, like brush fires. Currently, railroads might not have to report these if they aren't sure they started them, but this law would require a report if there is a 'reasonable suspicion' that their equipment or actions were the cause.
The goal is to help the government keep better track of infrastructure problems and prevent emergencies before they get worse. By making railroads speak up sooner, officials can identify dangerous patterns or equipment issues that could lead to larger disasters.

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 19, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced in House

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

HOWIE Act

Bill NumberHR 8012

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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