Federal · 119th Congress
HOWIE Act
Policy areaTransportation and Public Works
Summary
Helping Oversee and Ward off Infrastructure Emergencies Act or the HOWIE Act
This bill directs the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to revise current railroad accident reporting requirements to include additional causes of damage. Specifically, FRA must require a railroad to report a train accident that results in damage if the railroad has a reasonable suspicion that an action carried out by the railroad caused the damage. An accident includes any incident that causes a fire, including a brush fire, alongside a railroad track.
Sponsor
Other titles3
To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring a rail carrier to report certain damage if such carrier has a reasonable suspicion that an action carried out by the carrier caused such damage.Official Title as Introduced
HOWIE ActShort Title(s) as Introduced
Helping Oversee and Ward off Infrastructure Emergencies ActShort Title(s) as Introduced
Legislative history3
Mar 20, 2026
House · CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Mar 19, 2026
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mar 19, 2026
IntroducedIntroduced in House