Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 3/20/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler introduced the Helping Oversee and Ward off Infrastructure Emergencies Act (HOWIE Act), legislation to improve safety and transparency in railroad operations across the United States. 

The HOWIE Act directs the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Railroad Administration, to update existing regulations so railroads are required to report accidents that result in certain types of damage. This includes incidents that cause fires, such as brush fires, near railroad tracks when there is reasonable cause that railroad activity contributed to the damage.

“Railroads are a vital part of our infrastructure system, but with that comes a responsibility to operate safely and transparently to better serve the communities they keep commuting. The HOWIE Act takes a commonsense step forward by requiring railroads to report accidents and fires they may have caused, so first responders and operators can respond quickly and prevent further harm should emergencies arise,” said Congressman Lawler. 

Full text of the bill can be found HERE. 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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