H.R. 3551 – Reading Mode

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3551

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 20, 2013

Mr. Andrews introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To require the periodic inspection of certain railroad facilities.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Railway Inspection and Transparency Act.

Inspection of railroad facilities

(a)

Requirement

The Federal Railroad Administration shall require each railroad carrier to arrange for an independent inspection by a professional engineer of—

(1)

all railroad bridges owned or leased by that railroad carrier at least once every 2 years; and

(2)

all railroad signals and switches owned or leased by that railroad carrier at least once every 6 months.

(b)

Documentation

Each railroad carrier shall provide to the Federal Railroad Administration documentation of the results of inspections carried out under subsection (a). The Federal Railroad Administration shall make such documentation available to the public.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Independent inspection

The term independent inspection means an inspection conducted by a professional engineer that is not employed by the railroad carrier or the Federal Railroad Administration.

(2)

Professional engineer

The term professional engineer means an individual who—

(A)

is currently registered as a professional engineer or structural engineer by a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States; and

(B)

has expertise in railroad operations.

(3)

Railroad carrier

The term railroad carrier has the meaning given that term in section 20102 of title 49, United States Code.