WASHINGTON – More than three years after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno of Ohio and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined five other senators in introducing the Rail Safety Act of 2026.
Previous attempts at passing rail safety legislation after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment, including one led by current Vice President JD Vance, have stagnated.
The bipartisan effort, led by Husted and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., seeks to improve emergency response by notifying states about hazardous materials transported through their communities and strengthening their response. It would expand the list of hazardous materials requiring higher safety standards, including vinyl chloride, which was one of the chemicals of concern in the East Palestine derailment. Trains with hazardous materials would require speed restrictions, better braking and route risk analysis.
The bill would provide reimbursement through the U.S. Department of Transportation to pay for overtime for first responders, equipment costs and health care assessments following a major derailment. It would expand grant opportunities for personal protective gear for firefighters.
The bill would also mandate hotbox detectors every 15 miles instead of the current 25 miles, add requirements for proper railcar inspections and maintenance and require two crew members on each train.
“Three years ago, many Ohioans understandably lost faith in the safety and reliability of our nation’s railways after the accident in East Palestine, Ohio,” Husted said. “Since then, we have learned valuable lessons about the necessity of extensive consultation with the rail industry, emergency responders and local communities. By using a balanced, data-driven approach to advancing rail safety, my bill would protect Ohio’s communities while supporting the freight rail industry across the country.”
In the announcement of the bill, Husted noted the legislation not only has the support of the eight senators but also East Palestine resident and rail safety advocate Misti Allison; Jared Cassity, national safety and legislative director of the SMART Transportation Division; John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union; Mark Wallace, national president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman; Matthew Chase, executive director of the National Association of Counties; Eric R. Byer, president and CEO of Alliance for Chemical Distribution; Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities; and Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.