Sponsors (4)
The bill increases transparency and federal authority to reduce blocked rail-highway crossings and improve safety and emergency response, but it also creates fresh compliance costs, potential operational disruptions for freight rail, and procedural/legal uncertainties that could shift costs to shippers and complicate enforcement.
Drivers, pedestrians, and nearby communities will face fewer prolonged road blockages and faster emergency access because the bill empowers investigation and corrective measures to reduce blockage frequency and duration.
Local governments, emergency responders, and the public get more timely, visible, and accessible reporting and data (e.g., required FRA portal links, 10+ minute reporting, and published railroad contact numbers), improving traffic management, incident response, and travel planning.
State and local governments (and the public) retain clearer federal authority and FRA flexibility to address blocked crossings, enabling targeted remedies and enforcement for recurring problems.
Freight and Class I rail carriers face new recordkeeping, reporting and potential civil penalties, raising their administrative and compliance costs which could be passed on to shippers and consumers.
To avoid penalties or comply with rules, carriers may reroute, hold, or re-time trains in ways that disrupt rail operations and supply chains, potentially increasing shipping prices and causing delivery delays.
Exempting Amtrak and commuter authorities creates uneven application of enforcement, meaning some communities (served mainly by freight operations) could face stricter enforcement than others.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Limits train blocking of public highway-rail crossings to 10 minutes in most cases, requires reporting/records and FRA investigations for repeated long blockages, and permits civil penalties with specified exceptions.
Limits how long a train may block a public highway-rail grade crossing to 10 minutes in most cases and creates requirements for reporting, recordkeeping, and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigation when crossings are repeatedly blocked. Rail carriers must keep incident records, verify and log reported blockings, post a public link to the FRA blocked-crossing portal, and may face civil penalties after warning if they violate the time limit, with several specific exceptions and limited exemptions.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Sylvia Garcia · Last progress December 17, 2025