Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises ActThis bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups.Upon a declaration by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a hazardous train event has occurred, the FRA must immediately award at least $250,000 from the emergency fund to one or more eligible groups (e.g., law enforcement agencies and fire departments). Additional amounts may be awarded, but may not exceed $3 million per hazardous train event. The FRA may declare a hazardous train event has occurred following a derailment or crash involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment.Costs associated with a response to a hazardous train event that are eligible for reimbursement include (1) replacing damaged or contaminated equipment, (2) overtime pay for firefighters or law enforcement officers, and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date.The FRA must also (1) establish annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail that have total annual collections of at least $10 million, and (2) deposit the fees into the reimbursement fund.Further, the Department of Transportation must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials by train to provide county and local emergency response groups with (1) advance warning of the train's load and timing, and (2) real-time location information on the train when it enters and exits the community's service area.
To support communities affected by hazardous train events, the bill creates the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund. This fund will reimburse eligible state and local emergency response entities for costs incurred while responding to these events. This includes covering expenses for replacing damaged equipment, paying overtime wages for emergency responders, and other operational costs necessary during a hazardous situation. By providing financial support, the bill aims to enhance the preparedness and effectiveness of emergency response teams dealing with train-related incidents.
House Bill 853, titled the 'Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act', is aimed at improving emergency response for incidents involving hazardous trains. This legislation establishes mechanisms for declaring a 'hazardous train event', which occurs when an incident involving a train carrying hazardous materials poses a threat to public health, safety, or the environment. The bill empowers the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, in consultation with other federal agencies, to make these declarations promptly, ensuring that local emergency response teams are equipped to handle such crises effectively.
One notable point of contention surrounding HB 853 is the balance between federal and local authority in managing hazardous train events. While the bill strengthens federal oversight and resources, it also raises questions about the degree of autonomy local agencies will retain in emergency response efforts. Critics may argue that excessive federal control could inhibit local agencies from taking swift, independent action based on their specific community needs during emergencies. Additionally, there may be discussions on the implications of the funding mechanisms introduced, specifically the assessment of fees on shippers and carriers of hazardous materials, and how these costs may ultimately affect local economies.
Transportation and Public Works