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H.R. 158House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Rail Audit Transparency Act

Sponsored by Albio SiresRep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)
Introduced January 4, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:06 PM UTC

The Rail Audit Transparency Act requires the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to inform Congress whenever it begins a comprehensive safety review of an intercity or commuter rail operator. It also mandates that the FRA send the assessment’s findings, including any defects and recommendations, to the relevant congressional committees and members. The bill targets rail carriers that provide regularly scheduled passenger service and the congressional committees overseeing transportation.

Key Provisions

  • The FRA must electronically notify the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and all members of Congress from states where the rail service operates within 10 business days after starting a safety assessment.
  • Within 90 days after completing the assessment, the FRA must transmit the findings, identified defects, and any recommendations to the same committees and members.
  • The law defines a “comprehensive safety assessment” as a focused review of safety‑related processes, compliance with regulations, and overall safety culture of the rail entity.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee

February 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

January 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee

February 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 158

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

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

A BILL

To require the Federal Railroad Administration to provide appropriate congressional notice of comprehensive safety assessments conducted with respect to intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Rail Audit Transparency Act.

2.

Notice of comprehensive safety assessments

(a)

Initial notice

Not later than 10 business days after the Federal Railroad Administration initiates a comprehensive safety assessment of an entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration shall notify in electronic format the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and each member of Congress representing a State in which the service that is the subject of the assessment being conducted is located, of the initiation of that assessment.

(b)

Findings

Not later than 90 days after completion of a comprehensive safety assessment described in subsection (a), the Federal Railroad Administration shall transmit in electronic format to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and to each member of Congress representing a State in which the service that is the subject of the assessment being conducted is located, its findings of that assessment, including identified defects and any recommendations.

(c)

Definition

For purpose of this section, the term comprehensive safety assessment means a focused review of the safety-related processes and procedures, compliance with safety regulations and requirements, and overall safety culture of an entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation.