Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026

(a) Review. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall—

(1) conduct a review of the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety culture using the framework developed by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and

(2) submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that includes recommendations for improving the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety culture.

(b) Considerations. As a part of the review conducted pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Inspector General shall consider the impacts of the Federal Railroad Administration’s—

(1) reorganization of its safety offices and management structure;

(2) reorganization of its policy and research offices; and

(3) telework policies, including any change in policies since the beginning of the COVID–19 pandemic.

(c) Action plan. Not later than 1 year after the submission of the report required under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and post on a public-facing website an action plan that addresses the recommendations and findings made by the Inspector General in such report.