Safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials

(a) Rulemaking Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations, or modify existing regulations, establishing safety requirements, in accordance with subsection (b), with which a shipper or rail carrier operating a train transporting hazardous materials that is not subject to the requirements for a high-hazard flammable train under section 174.310 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall comply with respect to the operation of each such train and the maintenance of specification tank cars. (b) Requirements The regulations issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall require shippers and rail carriers— (1) to provide advance notification and information regarding the transportation of hazardous materials described in subsection (a) to each State emergency response commissioner, Tribal emergency response commission, or any other State or Tribal agency responsible for receiving the information notification for emergency response planning information; (2) to include, in the notification provided pursuant to paragraph (1), a written gas discharge plan with respect to the applicable hazardous materials being transported; and (3) to reduce or eliminate blocked crossings resulting from delays in train movements. (c) Additional requirements In developing the regulations required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall include requirements regarding— (1) train length and weight; (2) train consist; (3) route analysis and selection; (4) speed restrictions; (5) track standards; (6) track, bridge, and rail car maintenance; (7) signaling and train control; (8) response plans; and (9) any other requirements that the Secretary determines are necessary. (d) High-Hazard flammable trains The Secretary may modify the safety requirements for trains subject to section 174.310 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to satisfy, in whole or in part, the rulemaking required under subsection (a).