Congress·In Committee·S. 3987

Sens. Baldwin and Hawley Introduce Secure Tracks Act to Mandate Frequent Rail Inspections

Secure Tracks Act

15 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

Railroads must have a qualified human inspector visually check all main line tracks rated Class 3 or higher at least twice per week, with at least one calendar day between inspections. This keeps human eyes on tracks where trains run at moderate to high speeds.
From policy text
“All main line track designated for operation at Class 3 speeds or higher under section 213.9 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be subject to visual inspection not less frequently than twice each week, with at least 1 calendar day interval between each inspections by a qualified inspector.”
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When any inspector or machine finds a safety defect, the railroad must fix it, protect it, or pull the track out of service immediately. The qualified human inspector has sole authority to authorize train movements on out-of-service track, preventing companies from rushing 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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The bill sets mandatory schedules for automated Track Geometry Measurement Systems based on track class and tonnage. Higher-class and heavier-use tracks must be scanned more frequently — up to twice within every 30-day period for the fastest Class 9 tracks.
From policy text
“For Class 9 track, TGMS shall operate at least twice within any 30-day period and at least 6 days shall elapse between TGMS inspections.”
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The Department of Transportation is banned from granting waivers that would let railroads replace human inspections with technology if the alternative method cannot detect all the same safety defects. This ensures machines supplement — not replace — human inspectors.
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, if the proposed alternative inspection, detection, or monitoring method fails to identify or detect all defect conditions defined or recognized as unsafe under applicable Federal Railroad Administration regulations.”
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The bill is bipartisan, introduced by Sens. Baldwin (D-WI) and Hawley (R-MO), and has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must update federal regulations to implement the new automated inspection requirements.
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”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

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

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 4, 2026Senate

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

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced in Senate

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 the frequencies specified in the bill

Railroads will need to deploy automated scanning technology on specific schedules, which means buying or leasing equipment and building new inspection routines into their operations

Upon enactment

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

Railroads that currently inspect less often will need to hire or reassign qualified inspectors to meet the new schedule, and any safety defects found must be fixed immediately

Related News

5 articles

Trains Magazine·14 days ago

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

Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Josh Hawley introduced the Secure Tracks Act, requiring railroads to maintain visual track inspections twice a week for Class 3 tracks or higher. The bill aims to ensure technology supplements rather than replaces human oversight, despite industry opposition from the AAR.

Progressive Railroading·13 days ago

Senate bill would require human and automated track inspections

The Secure Tracks Act mandates twice-weekly human visual inspections and immediate remediation of defects. It also restricts the FRA from granting waivers that allow railroads to replace human inspectors with automated technology, a move contested by the Association of American Railroads.

Transportation Today·13 days ago

Bipartisan bill to reduce train derailments introduced

Sens. Baldwin and Hawley introduced the Secure Tracks Act to reduce derailments by requiring both automated and human inspections. The bill prevents the DOT from issuing waivers that reduce human oversight in favor of automated systems that may miss critical safety issues.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Secure Tracks Act

Bill NumberS 3987

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

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

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)

R: 1

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.