Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act
This bill, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, would create a new framework to financially assist local emergency responders after train accidents involving hazardous materials. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), with input from FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), could declare a “hazardous train event” within three days of such incidents. Once declared, at least $250,000 would be immediately available from a new Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund to eligible local entities (e.g., police, fire, EMS, and other emergency responders). Additional aid to reach up to $3 million per event could be awarded within five days based on need. The bill also establishes a reimbursement mechanism for eligible costs related to the event, and requires documentation and accountability for how funds are used. In addition, the bill would require railroads to provide advance warning and real-time location information about trains carrying hazardous materials to local responders, and would create a new annual fee on shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail to fund the program.
Key Points
- 1Declaration and trigger: The FRA (in coordination with FEMA and EPA) may declare a hazardous train event within three days after a derailment or other incident involving hazardous materials; upon declaration, at least $250,000 is promptly awarded to eligible local entities, with possible additional awards up to $3,000,000 per event based on needs.
- 2Eligible entities and use of funds: Eligible entities are state or local emergency response groups (including police, fire departments, and other emergency responders) in the affected area. Funds may reimburse costs such as replacing damaged or contaminated equipment, overtime pay, operational costs, and other related expenses, with retroactive applicability for costs incurred from the date of the event or within 30 days after funds are received.
- 3Documentation and accountability: Entities receiving funds must submit itemized documentation within 120 days of the declaration; misuse could trigger repayment to the Fund, with reimbursements available for future events.
- 4Advance warning requirement: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the TSA, must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials through any U.S. community to provide advance warning of train loads and timing, plus real-time location information when trains enter and exit the service area.
- 5Funding mechanism: A Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund would be created and administered by the FRA. A new Hazardous Materials Emergency Reimbursement Fee would be imposed on rail shippers and carriers of hazardous materials with annual collections above $10 million, with those fees deposited into the Fund.