H.R. 7784

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7784 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7784

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish requirements 
regarding visual and automated track inspections, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2026

Ms. Titus introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish requirements 
regarding visual and automated track inspections, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Secure Tracks Act''.

SEC. 2. TRACK INSPECTIONS.

(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 20172. Visual and automated track inspection requirements
``(a) Minimum Frequency for Visual Track Inspections.--All main 
line track designated for operation at Class 3 track speeds or higher 
under section 213.9 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
effect on January 1, 2026, shall be subject to visual inspection by a 
qualified inspector not less frequently than twice each week, with at 
least 1 calendar day between each inspection.
``(b) Immediate Remediation of Safety Defects.--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, as in effect on January 
1, 2026.
``(c) Remediation by Qualified Person.--If a qualified inspector 
making a track inspection under this section finds a deviation from the 
requirements of part 213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as 
in effect on January 1, 2026, the qualified inspector shall--
``(1) immediately initiate remedial action; and
``(2) have the sole authority to authorize any subsequent 
movements to facilitate repairs on track that is out of 
service.
``(d) Prohibition on Granting Waivers That Reduce Safety 
Coverage.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including 
section 20103 of this title, 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, as in effect on January 1, 2026, 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.
``(e) Automated Track Inspection Requirements.--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, to require that a Track Geometry Measurement System 
operate over the following track classifications at the following 
frequencies and be subject to the following requirements regarding TGMS 
inspections:
``(1) For operations at a qualified cant deficiency (Eu) of 
more than 5 inches on Classes 1 through 5 track, at least 4 
times per calendar year, with at least 43 days elapsing between 
TGMS inspections.
``(2) For Class 1 track operating more than 15,000,000 
gross tons annually, at least once per calendar year, with at 
least 170 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(3) For Class 2 track--
``(A) operating 15,000,000 or fewer gross tons 
annually, at least once per calendar year, with at 
least 170 days elapsing between TGMS inspections; and
``(B) operating more than 15,000,000 gross tons 
annually, at least twice per calendar year, with at 
least 120 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(4) For Class 3 track--
``(A) operating 15,000,000 or fewer gross tons 
annually, at least twice per calendar year, with at 
least 120 days elapsing between TGMS inspections; and
``(B) operating more than 15,000,000 gross tons 
annually, at least 3 times per calendar year, with at 
least 90 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(5) For Class 4 track--
``(A) operating 15,000,000 or fewer gross tons 
annually, at least 3 times per calendar year, with at 
least 90 days elapsing between TGMS inspections; and
``(B) operating more than 15,000,000 gross tons 
annually, at least 4 times per calendar year, with at 
least 43 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(6) For Class 5 track, at least 4 times per calendar 
year, with at least 43 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(7) For Class 6 and Class 7 track, at least twice during 
any 120-day period, with at least 25 days elapsing between TGMS 
inspections.
``(8) For Class 8 track, at least twice during any 60-day 
period, with at least 12 days elapsing between TGMS 
inspections.
``(9) For Class 9 track, at least twice during any 30-day 
period, with at least 6 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(10) For crossovers where the track speed is more than 30 
miles per hour, at least twice per calendar year, with at least 
120 days elapsing between TGMS inspections.
``(f) Fixing Deviation Requirements.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall update 
part 213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on 
January 1, 2026, to require that when any inspection, whether done by a 
qualified inspector or by a machine (including a TGMS machine), finds a 
deviation from the requirements of this part, the qualified inspector 
or other authorized personnel shall immediately remediate the deviation 
in accordance with such part.
``(g) Applicable Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
requirements of subparts F and G of part 213 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026, including section 
213.333 of such part, generated by an update to the regulations made 
pursuant to subsection (e) or (f) are applied to the applicable track 
classification.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Class 1 track; class 2 track; class 3 track; class 4 
track; class 5 track.--The terms `Class 1 track', `Class 2 
track', `Class 3 track', `Class 4 track', and `Class 5 track' 
means Class 1 track, Class 2 track, Class 3 track, Class 4 
track, and Class 5 track, respectively, as such terms are used 
in section 213.9(a) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on January 1, 2026.
``(2) Main line.--The term `main line' has the meaning 
given such term in section 236.1003 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026.
``(3) Qualified inspector.--The term `qualified inspector' 
means a person designated as a qualified person to inspect 
track for defects under section 213.7(b) of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026.
``(4) Track geometry measurement system; tgms.--The terms 
`Track Geometry Measurement System' and `TGMS' means a Track 
Geometry Measurement System as such term is used in section 
213.333 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
on January 1, 2026.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 201 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``20172. Visual and automated track inspection requirements.''.
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