Extremely Hazardous Materials Rail Transportation Act of 2005

The Extremely Hazardous Materials Rail Transportation Act of 2005 (S. 773) was a legislative proposal designed to increase the safety and security of transporting dangerous substances by train. The bill would have required the Department of Homeland Security to create new regulations to prevent terrorist attacks and improve emergency responses involving rail shipments of materials that are toxic, explosive, or radioactive.

For citizens, the bill’s primary impact would have been the identification of "area of concern" communities—neighborhoods located near rail lines where hazardous shipments pose a significant risk to public health. Additionally, the bill aimed to protect the public by establishing stricter safety standards for the physical integrity of pressurized rail tank cars and providing legal protections for whistleblowers who report safety or security violations. Although the bill was introduced and referred to a committee, it did not become law.