Proposal would hide train crews' identities in public incident records

Publicly released records about railroad incidents involving motor vehicles would have to hide identifying details about train crew members and engineers. This applies to reports and communications about railroad incidents involving motor vehicles. Identifying details include names, home addresses, personal phone numbers, driver's license and Social Security numbers, and other information that could reasonably identify or locate a crew member or engineer. The requirement would apply when these records are released publicly.

The Department of Transportation would enforce the section and could make rules to ensure compliance and confidentiality. These access limits and confidentiality rules cover records and identifying information described in this section. Unredacted records could be seen only by the employing railroad or its authorized representatives, people authorized by a court order, or specified government offices when the information is needed for official duties. If a court finds a crew member or engineer was not at fault, that person's identifying information would have to stay confidential in all public records. Any rules would have to follow state rulemaking law. The text says the rulemaking authority and rules proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, would be invalid if certain legislative review powers were later held unconstitutional. The text addresses rules proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, if certain legislative review powers are later held unconstitutional.