Bill
HR 6790
HR 6790 would limit train blocking time at rail crossings to reduce driver delays and increase safety, with penalties, reporting, and possible crossing upgrades.
HR 6790 — Summary (as introduced)
Overview
- Bill number and title: HR 6790, "To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit railroad carriers from blocking railway-highway crossings, and for other purposes."
- Purpose (as inferred from title): To restrict the duration and occurrence of railroad crossings being blocked by train movements, aiming to reduce delays and safety risks for motorists and pedestrians at railway-highway crossings.
- Status: Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Introduced date: December 17, 2025.
- Legislative actions to date: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on December 17, 2025; introduced in the House on the same date.
What the bill is likely intended to address
- The bill seeks to limit the periods during which railroad carriers can block railway-highway crossings.
- It would be a statutory constraint on blocking times, with the aim of minimizing disruption to road traffic and improving safety at crossings.
- The measure would adjust or add requirements within the framework of title 49 of the United States Code, which governs rail transportation and railroad safety.
Key provisions (note: exact text not provided in the summary; the following reflects common elements in crossing-blockage reform proposals)
- Blocking time limits: Establish a maximum allowable duration for a crossing to be blocked by a train, and/or require a rapid clearance standard to restore crossing access.
- Exemptions: Define circumstances in which longer blocking times may be permitted (e.g., safety-critical operations, emergencies, operational necessities) and specify necessary notices or approvals.
- Enforcement and penalties: Create enforcement mechanisms and possible penalties for violations, potentially involving the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) or other DOT authorities.
- Reporting and accountability: Require reporting of crossing-blockage incidents, durations, and resolutions; possibly mandate state and local coordination and public disclosure.
- Crossing improvements and funding: May authorize or encourage investments in grade-crossing improvements (devices, tracks, signaling) to reduce blockage duration, including potential funding mechanisms or grants.
- Preemption and coordination: Address how the new rules interact with existing state laws, railroad operations, and local transportation plans.
Who would be affected
- Railroad carriers and railroad operating companies: Primary entities responsible for compliance with any new blockage limits, reporting duties, and potential penalties.
- Motorists and pedestrians: Beneficiaries of reduced crossing delays and improved crossing safety.
- Local governments and highway agencies: Stakeholders in planning, notification, and potential crossing improvements; may have reporting or coordination duties.
- Federal regulators and agencies: Likely roles for enforcement, oversight, data collection, and program administration (e.g., FRA, Department of Transportation).
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Current stage: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (as of December 17, 2025).
- Next steps: Committee consideration, potential amendments, and eventual floor action in the House. If passed, the bill would proceed to the Senate or be folded into broader rail-safety legislation, subject to Senate action and possible reconciliation.
Notes
- The summary above reflects the bill’s stated purpose and typical components of similar legislation. The exact statutory text will define precise blocking time limits, exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, funding provisions, and implementation timelines. For a definitive understanding, the full bill text and any committee reports should be consulted once available.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
