Bills · HR 7784
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7784Transportation and Public Works
Secure Tracks Act
INTRO MAR 4· LAST ACTION MAR 5
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the safety of train travel and freight transportation across the country. More frequent inspections, both by humans and advanced machines, mean a higher chance of catching track defects before they lead to serious accidents like derailments. This can prevent injuries, deaths, environmental damage from hazardous material spills, and significant economic disruption caused by blocked rail lines.
If this bill becomes law, it would mean a stronger federal standard for railroad track maintenance, potentially reducing the risk of catastrophic incidents. If it doesn't pass, current inspection frequencies and waiver processes, which some argue are insufficient, would remain in place, leaving open the possibility of future accidents stemming from undetected or unaddressed track infrastructure problems.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires main line tracks operating at Class 3 speeds or higher to be visually inspected by a qualified inspector at least twice each week.
This significantly increases the frequency of human visual inspections on major rail lines, aiming to catch defects more often.
PROVISION 02
Mandates immediate correction, protection, or removal from service for any defect or unsafe condition identified by any inspection method.
This ensures that identified safety hazards are addressed without delay, preventing potential accidents.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from granting waivers that would allow alternative inspection methods if they fail to detect all known unsafe conditions.
This closes a potential loophole where less thorough inspection methods could be approved, bolstering overall safety standards.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Department of Transportation to update regulations within one year to establish new, more frequent requirements for automated Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS) inspections based on track class and tonnage.
This leverages technology to monitor track health more rigorously and systematically across different types of rail lines.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· Nevada
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
56
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSMAR 5
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
MAR 4
Introduced in House
MAR 4
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
MAR 4
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7784
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 4, 2026
Last actionMar 5, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 4, 2026
House BillHR 7784Transportation and Public Works
Secure Tracks Act
INTRODUCED MAR 4, 2026· LAST ACTION MAR 5, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
