Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads and the agencies that administer those regulations. Economic regulation is administered by the five-member Surface Transportation Board (STB). This independent agency also has the authority to address national emergencies as they affect the nation’s rail transportation system.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for administering and overseeing railroad safety laws, railroad infrastructure and development programs, performing research and developing technology, and has federal oversight of Amtrak.
Amtrak is the nation’s major provider of intercity passenger rail service. Also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak was established by law in 1970 and assumed the responsibility from private sector railroads for providing passenger rail services. The Subcommittee continues to oversee efforts to increase efficiency and improve service in Amtrak’s operations.
The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which is responsible for providing regulations and safety oversight of pipelines and pipeline facilities, as well as overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials.
Railroad retirement benefits and unemployment systems, as well as rail labor relations also fall under the jurisdiction of this subcommittee.
Issues and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee include:
- Economic regulation of railroads
- Surface Transportation Board (STB)
- Railroad safety, including safety practices, equipment, and reporting
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Railroad development programs, such as high-speed rail research and development
- Rail infrastructure programs
- Rail security
- Amtrak
- Amtrak Inspector General
- Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission
- Railroad retirement (regarding the benefit aspects) and unemployment
- Railroad Retirement Board, which administers the retirement and unemployment programs unique to railroads
- Railroad Retirement Board Inspector General
- National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust
- Railway Labor Act
- The National Mediation Board, which administers the Railway Labor Act
- Federal Employers’ Liability Act, which is the railroad worker-compensation statute
- Hazardous materials transportation
- Pipeline transportation safety
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Recent Activity
- Apr 17, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen, Foushee Statements from Hearing on Commuter Rail Industry
- Apr 17, 2024 : “Getting to Work: Examining Challenges and Solutions in the Commuter Rail Industry”
- Apr 4, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen and Payne, Jr. Applaud Investments in Pipeline Safety, Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
- Apr 2, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen and Payne, Jr. Applaud FRA Final Rule on Train Crew Size Safety Requirements
- Mar 13, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen and Payne, Jr. Host Roundtable with House Democrats, Rail Workers and Community Members to Advance Rail Safety
- Mar 13, 2024 : Democratic Roundtable on: “Listening to Rail Workers and Communities"
- Mar 13, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen, Payne, Jr. Statements from Rail Safety Roundtable
- Mar 7, 2024 : Ranking Member Larsen Statement from Hearing on U.S. DOT Discretionary Grant Implementation
- Jan 30, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen, Payne, Jr. Applaud Norfolk Southern’s Commitment to FRA Confidential Close Call Reporting System
- Jan 18, 2024 : Ranking Members Larsen, Payne, Jr. Statements from Hearing on Railroad Grade Crossing Elimination and Safety
- Jan 18, 2024 : “Oversight and Examination of Railroad Grade Crossing Elimination and Safety”
- Dec 6, 2023 : T&I Committee Approves Bipartisan PIPES Act of 2023
- Nov 30, 2023 : T&I Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Bill
- Nov 29, 2023 : Ranking Members Larsen, Payne, Jr. Statements from Hearing on Passenger Rail
- Nov 29, 2023 : “Getting on the Right Track: Navigating the Future of Intercity Passenger Rail in America”
The House Subcommittee on
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Democrats
- Frederica S. Wilson - Florida
- Seth Moulton - Massachusetts
- Troy Carter - Louisiana
- André Carson - Indiana
- Mark DeSaulnier - California
- Marilyn Strickland - Washington
- Vice Ranking Member Valerie Foushee - North Carolina
- Grace F. Napolitano - California
- Steve Cohen - Tennessee
- Henry C. Johnson. Jr. - Georgia
- Jared Huffman - California
- Jesús García - Illinois
- Rob Menendez - New Jersey
- Rick Larsen (Ex Officio) - WA 2
Republicans
- Brian Babin - Texas
- David Rouzer - North Carolina
- Mike Bost - Illinois
- Doug LaMalfa - California
- Bruce Westerman - Arkansas
- Pete Stauber - Minnesota
- Tim Burchett - Tennessee
- Dusty Johnson - South Dakota
- Lance Gooden - Texas
- Tracey Mann - Kansas
- Rudy Yakym - Indiana
- Tom Kean, Jr. - New Jersey
- Eric Burlison - Missouri
- Brandon Williams - New York
- Marc Molinaro - New York
- John Duarte - California
- Sam Graves (Ex Officio) - MO 06