H.R. 2515 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 31, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAdds safety sensors to tank railcars
This bill asks the Federal Railroad Administration to create programs that help put sensors and monitoring devices on tank cars—the railcars that carry liquids and gases. These sensors would track a railcar's location and condition in real time while the train is moving, sending data wirelessly. The programs would prioritize installing these systems on brand-new tank cars that carry especially hazardous materials like toxic or poisonous gases.
How it affects you
If you live near railroad tracks or in an area where hazardous materials travel by train, this could mean better safety monitoring of those shipments. Railroad companies and railcar manufacturers would get grants and support to develop and install the technology, which could lead to faster detection of problems before they become dangerous.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 31, 2025)
American Tank Car Modernization Act of 2025
This bill establishes new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) pilot and grant programs to outfit tank railcars with onboard sensors capable of delivering real-time safety-related condition data while a train is in motion.
Specifically, the FRA must establish a grant program for freight railcar owners or operators to purchase and install (1) onboard freight railcar telematics systems (for wirelessly communicating a railcar's location and health), or (2) onboard freight railcar gateway devices (for collecting and exchanging data between railcar devices, including monitoring and telematics systems).
In selecting grant recipients, the FRA must prioritize installation of these systems or devices in newly built tank railcars and by the type of load carried, starting with tank cars in TIH/PIH (toxic or poison inhalation hazard) service.
In addition, the FRA must establish a pilot program to
• assist freight railcar owners and manufacturers in the development of onboard sensor technologies in order to add visibility to the safety of freight railcars, and
• encourage development of freight railcar onboard sensors that communicate to the freight railcar onboard gateway devices to offer future capabilities of real-time visibility (e.g., wheel and wheel bearing temperature).
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2515
A BILL
American Tank Car Modernization Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) · Introduced Mar 31, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 31, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.”