Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials is a specialized panel within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that handles a critical slice of the nation's transportation infrastructure. As a subcommittee, it conducts initial hearings and reviews legislation before matters can advance to the full committee for floor consideration. The subcommittee's jurisdiction covers three main areas: the economic and safety regulation of railroads, the oversight of pipeline safety and hazardous materials transportation, and rail labor relations and worker benefits.

The subcommittee oversees several key federal agencies and programs. It has authority over the Surface Transportation Board, which regulates railroad rates and mergers; the Federal Railroad Administration, which administers railroad safety laws and oversees Amtrak, the nation's intercity passenger rail service; and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which ensures the safe transportation of energy products and other hazardous materials. The subcommittee also monitors railroad retirement and unemployment systems unique to rail workers, and addresses rail labor disputes through the National Mediation Board.

Chaired by Representative Daniel Webster (R-FL) with Ranking Member Dina Titus (D-NV), the subcommittee has 30 members. The panel exists because railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials transportation require specialized expertise and focused oversight distinct from the broader transportation policy handled by the full committee. Recent subcommittee activity has included hearings on rail safety technologies and ongoing regulatory matters affecting the railroad and pipeline industries.