Proposed Rule2026-09791

Certification of Dispatchers

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
May 15, 2026

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration

Abstract

This document responds to petitions for reconsideration of FRA's May 21, 2024 final rule addressing the Certification of Dispatchers. Based on FRA's review and analysis of the issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration, this document proposes to rescind the final rule.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27901-27904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09791]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 245

[Docket No. FRA-2022-0019, Notice No. 5]
RIN 2130-AD03


Certification of Dispatchers

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document responds to petitions for reconsideration of 
FRA's May 21, 2024 final rule addressing the Certification of 
Dispatchers. Based on FRA's review and analysis of the issues raised in 
the petitions for reconsideration, this document proposes to rescind 
the final rule.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received by July 14, 2026. 
FRA may consider comments received after that date, but only to the 
extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2022-0019 may be 
submitted by going to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and following the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket 
number (FRA-2022-0019), and Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for 
this rulemaking (2130-AD03). All comments received will be posted 
without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any 
personal information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act 
information related to any submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Curtis Dolan, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, Dispatch Operating Practices, FRA, telephone: (470) 522-
6633, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81e2f4f3f5e8f2afe5eeede0efc1e5eef5afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d4e585f59445e034942414c436d494259034a425b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; or Michael C. Spinnicchia, Attorney 
Adviser, FRA, telephone: (202) 713-7671, email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#016c68626960646d2f7271686f6f68626269686041656e752f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="117c78727970747d3f6261787f7f78727279787051757e653f767e67">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On May 31, 2023, FRA published an NPRM proposing the establishment 
of dispatcher certification requirements in 49 CFR part 245 (part 
245).\1\ The NPRM was issued in response to section 402 of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), Public Law 110-432, 122 Stat. 
4848, 4884 (Oct. 16, 2008) (49 U.S.C. 20162 note), which required the 
Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to submit a report to Congress 
addressing whether certification of ``certain crafts or classes'' of 
railroad employees or contractors, including railroad dispatchers, was 
necessary to ``reduce the number and rate of accidents and incidents or 
to improve railroad safety.'' If the Secretary determined it was 
necessary to require the certification of certain crafts or classes to 
improve railroad safety, section 402 of the RSIA stated the Secretary 
may prescribe such regulations. On November 4, 2015, the Secretary 
submitted a report to Congress stating that, based on FRA's preliminary 
research, dispatchers were one of the most viable crafts for 
certification.\2\
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    \1\ 88 FR 35574 (May 31, 2023).
    \2\ FRA-2022-0019-0001.
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    FRA published a final rule on May 21, 2024, requiring railroads to 
develop written programs for certifying individuals who work as 
dispatchers on their territories and to submit those written 
certification programs to FRA for approval prior to implementation.\3\ 
Under this rule, railroads are required to have formal processes for 
training prospective dispatchers, as well as verifying that each 
dispatcher has the requisite knowledge, skills, safety record, and 
abilities to perform all of the safety-related dispatcher duties 
mandated by Federal laws and regulations, prior to certification. In 
addition, railroads are required to have formal processes for revoking 
certification for dispatchers who violate specified minimum 
requirements.
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    \3\ 89 FR 44766 (May 21, 2024).
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    This rule requires all Class I railroads (including the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)) and railroads providing 
commuter service to submit their certification programs to FRA by March 
17, 2025.\4\ Class II and

[[Page 27902]]

Class III railroads have until November 12, 2025 to submit their 
programs to FRA under the current rule.\5\ Any railroad that commences 
dispatching operations after July 22, 2024 (the effective date of the 
final rule), must submit its dispatcher certification program to, and 
obtain approval from, FRA prior to commencing dispatching 
operations.\6\ Furthermore, as of March 17, 2025, railroads are not 
allowed to permit or require that a person perform service as a 
dispatcher unless such person is certified through the designation 
system described in 49 CFR 245.105(c)-(d).\7\
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    \4\ 49 CFR 245.103(a)(1).
    \5\ 49 CFR 245.103(a)(2).
    \6\ 49 CFR 245.103(b).
    \7\ 49 CFR 245.105(e). FRA is exercising its enforcement 
discretion and not taking enforcement action on the current 
deadlines found in 49 CFR 245.103(a)-(b) and 245.105(c)-(e).
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    On July 12, 2024, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the 
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), and the 
Commuter Rail Coalition (CRC) filed timely petitions for 
reconsideration of the Dispatcher Certification final rule.\8\ 
Subsequently, on August 6, 2024, the American Public Transportation 
Association (APTA) submitted a letter urging FRA to extend the deadline 
for commuter railroads to submit their certification programs.\9\ This 
letter was not submitted by the deadline for submitting petitions for 
reconsideration. However, FRA is treating APTA's letter as a petition 
for reconsideration.
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    \8\ FRA-2022-0019-0048; FRA-2022-0019-0050; FRA-2022-0019-0047. 
ASLRRA endorsed AAR and CRC's petitions. CRC endorsed AAR and 
ASLRRA's petitions. AAR endorsed ASLRRA and CRC's petitions with 
respect to the issue of allowing contractors to certify dispatchers.
    \9\ FRA-2022-0019-0049.
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    FRA issued a response to these petitions for reconsideration on 
January 17, 2025. The response stated that FRA was granting APTA's 
petition and would initiate a rulemaking to extend the deadlines for 
all railroads to submit their dispatcher certification program to FRA 
by six months. The response also stated FRA's intent to grant in part 
and deny in part AAR, ASLRRA, and CRC's petitions.\10\
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    \10\ FRA-2022-0019-0055.
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    On February 6, 2025, representatives from AAR, ASLRRA, and CRC met 
with FRA to discuss their concerns with part 245 which they raised in 
their petitions for reconsideration.\11\ On March 14, 2025, FRA issued 
a follow-up letter to its initial response to the petitions where it 
announced its intention to initiate a rulemaking to extend the 
compliance dates in part 245 by one year, rather than the six months 
considered previously. The letter also stated that FRA would not take 
enforcement action against railroads for failing to meet the current 
deadlines in part 245. In addition, the letter stated that, after 
further consideration, and consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 
14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's 
``Department of Government Efficiency'' Deregulatory Initiative,\12\ 
FRA was reopening its review and analysis of the issues raised in the 
petitions.\13\
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    \11\ A record of this meeting was placed in the docket for this 
rulemaking on <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. FRA-2022-0019-0056. At this meeting, 
AAR, ASLRRA, and CRC presented a PowerPoint presentation which can 
also be found in the rulemaking docket on <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. FRA-2022-
0019-0057.
    \12\ 90 FR 10583 (Feb. 25, 2025).
    \13\ FRA-2022-0019-0058.
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    In this NPRM, FRA is proposing to rescind part 245 in its entirety. 
While FRA is undertaking this rulemaking to rescind part 245 in its 
entirety, it will place on hold its review of any dispatcher 
certification programs it has received or will receive during the 
pendency of this rulemaking. In addition, during the pendency of this 
rulemaking, FRA will continue to exercise its enforcement discretion 
and will not take enforcement action based on the current deadlines 
found in 49 CFR 245.103(a)-(b) and 245.105(c)-(e).

II. Section-by-Section Analysis

    As noted above, FRA received petitions for reconsideration of the 
May 21, 2024 final rule on dispatcher certification from AAR, ASLRRA, 
CRC, and APTA. These petitions asked FRA to revise part 245 to address 
a range of concerns presented by the final rule. For example, CRC 
requested that part 245 be amended to allow contractors to certify 
dispatchers because: (1) part 245 places the obligations of 
certification on parties that do not have the necessary resources or 
expertise to certify dispatchers, such as small commuter railroads; (2) 
contractors are in a better position to track, monitor, and keep 
records related to their employees; and (3) requiring multiple 
railroads to carry out the same task would lead to duplicative work and 
could result in different railroads reaching different conclusions 
about the same individual.\14\ ASLRRA's petition expressed concern that 
the requirement that railroads provide each certified dispatcher with 
at least one unannounced compliance test each year would result in an 
inefficient waste of resources. Because many short line railroads use 
the same contractor(s) for dispatching services, ASLRRA asserted that 
dozens of railroads would have to certify the same individual and these 
dispatchers would have to spend numerous days each year on operational 
testing.\15\ AAR raised concerns that part 245 did not provide a 
definitive timeline for when FRA would issue decisions approving or 
disapproving a railroad's certification programs. AAR contended such 
potential delays could create confusion and make it impossible for 
railroads to plan for implementation of their certification programs, 
which would ultimately affect railroads' ability to hire, train, and 
qualify new dispatchers.\16\
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    \14\ FRA-2022-0019-0047.
    \15\ FRA-2022-0019-0050.
    \16\ FRA-2022-0019-0048.
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    In addition, AAR expressed concerns about the estimated costs of 
part 245 being greater than the estimated benefits.\17\ FRA estimated 
the costs and benefits of the 2024 final rule and determined the total 
10-year costs were estimated to be $5.4 million (Present Value (PV), 7 
percent), and total 10-year benefits were estimated to be $0.6 million 
(PV, 7 percent). Net costs of the 2024 rule were estimated to be $4.8 
million (PV, 7 percent) and annualized net costs were estimated to be 
$0.7 million (PV, 7 percent).
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    \17\ FRA-2022-0019-0048.
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    Lastly, the petitions raised issues regarding changes in ownership 
for short line railroads and the rule's definition of a ``material 
modification.'' Regarding ownership changes, ASLRRA noted that short 
line railroads change ownership more frequently than Class I railroads 
and would be affected adversely by Sec.  245.103(b). Specifically, 
ASLRRA alleged that a railroad with a program approved previously may 
have to stop operations if there is a change in ownership while it 
resubmits its program and waits for FRA approval, which would result in 
an unnecessary disruption to railroad operations.\18\ AAR contended 
that FRA's definition of ``material modification'' was overbroad and 
should only apply to significant content-based changes to a railroad's 
program. AAR noted that the burden of getting minor adjustments to a 
program approved by FRA would discourage railroads from investing in 
new ways to train their dispatchers and from making other changes to 
enhance their programs.\19\
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    \18\ FRA-2022-0019-0050.
    \19\ FRA-2022-0019-0048.
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    All four petitions for reconsideration are available to the public 
in the docket for this rulemaking which can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.\20\ FRA welcomes comments from the public on

[[Page 27903]]

any of the issues raised in these petitions.
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    \20\ FRA-2022-0019-0047; FRA-2022-0019-0048; FRA-2022-0019-0049; 
FRA-2022-0019-0050.
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    Based on FRA's review of these issues raised in the petitions for 
reconsideration, and in accordance with E.O. 14219, FRA has concluded 
preliminarily that rescission of the 2024 final rule in its entirety is 
warranted because the expected benefits do not justify the expected 
costs. In the 2024 final rule, FRA discussed unquantified safety 
benefits relating to ``accident clean up, third party property damage, 
lost lading, environmental damage, loss of economic activity to the 
community, and train delays.'' FRA is requesting public comment or 
additional information on these unquantified safety benefits. FRA's 
proposal to rescind part 245 in its entirety would eliminate all the 
issues and concerns that were raised in the petitions for 
reconsideration and would eliminate the estimated costs associated with 
the 2024 final rule.
    While FRA has the statutory authority to issue regulations 
requiring dispatcher certification, it is not obligated to issue such 
regulations. Specifically, the RSIA provides that ``[t]he Secretary may 
prescribe regulations requiring the certification of certain crafts or 
classes of employees that the Secretary determines . . . are necessary 
to reduce the number and rate of accidents and incidents or to improve 
railroad safety.'' \21\ Because this statute is permissive with respect 
to establishing additional certification requirements for railroad 
crafts other than locomotive engineers and conductors, FRA is under no 
statutory obligation to require the certification of dispatchers. 
Indeed, given the above preliminary determination that rescission of 
the 2024 rule is warranted because the expected benefits do not justify 
the expected costs, it is in the interest of the public for FRA to 
decline to require certification of dispatchers.
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    \21\ RSIA, section 402 (emphasis added).
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    For the reasons stated above, FRA proposes to rescind part 245 in 
its entirety. If FRA issues a final rule that rescinds part 245, FRA 
will continue to gather data on this issue and may reassess in the 
future whether certification requirements for dispatchers are 
warranted. Alternatively, if, after review of any comments received in 
response to this NPRM, FRA decides not to rescind this rule in its 
entirety, FRA proposes to extend the compliance dates for this rule to 
provide railroads with additional time to come into compliance with 
part 245. The proposed extension could be for a period of approximately 
six to twelve months from the effective date of a new final rule and 
would provide the regulated community assurance that they would not be 
liable for noncompliance with the existing regulation, should FRA 
ultimately determine not to finalize the rescission of part 245.

III. Regulatory Impact and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    FRA has considered the impact of this NPRM under E.O. 12866 (58 FR 
51735, Oct. 4, 1993), Regulatory Planning and Review, and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determined that this 
NPRM is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of E.O. 
12866.
    FRA is proposing to rescind the May 21, 2024 final rule addressing 
the Certification of Dispatchers. FRA has analyzed the potential costs 
and benefits of this proposed rule.
    In the 2024 final rule, FRA estimated 10-year costs of $5.4 million 
(PV, 7 percent). If FRA finalizes the proposed rescission of that final 
rule, those costs would become a cost savings. Table 1 shows the total 
10-year cost savings of this proposed rule.

                                       Table 1--Total 10-Year Cost Savings
                                                 [2020 Dollars]
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                                  Present value 7%     Present value 3%
   10-Year cost savings ($)             ($)                  ($)           Annualized 7% ($)   Annualized 3% ($)
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6,973,560.....................           5,414,022            6,214,626             770,835             728,544
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    In the 2024 final rule, FRA estimated 10-year benefits of $0.6 
million (PV, 7 percent), which would no longer be realized if the 2024 
final rule is rescinded.
    FRA recognizes there may be some railroads who may have begun to 
comply with the 2024 final rule and therefore, incurred costs. However, 
FRA expects that the cost savings that would be realized from 
rescinding the 2024 rule ultimately are greater than the foregone 
safety benefits.

B. Executive Order 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)

    E.O. 14192 (90 FR 9065, Jan. 31, 2025), Unleashing Prosperity 
Through Deregulation, requires that for ``each new [E.O. 14192 
regulatory action] issued, at least ten prior regulations be identified 
for elimination.'' \22\ Implementation guidance for E.O. 14192 issued 
by OMB (Memorandum M-25-20, Mar. 26, 2025) defines two different types 
of E.O. 14192 actions: an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action, and an E.O. 
14192 regulatory action.\23\
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    \22\ Executive Office of the President. Executive Order 14192 of 
January 31, 2025. Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation. 90 FR 
9065-9067. Feb. 6, 2025.
    \23\ Executive Office of the President. OMB. Guidance 
Implementing Section 3 of Executive Order 14192, Titled ``Unleashing 
Prosperity Through Deregulation.'' Memorandum M-25-20. Mar. 26, 
2025.
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    An E.O. 14192 deregulatory action is defined as ``an action that 
has been finalized and has total costs less than zero.'' This proposed 
rule, if finalized as proposed, is expected to have total costs less 
than zero or negligible costs, and therefore it would be considered an 
E.O. 14192 deregulatory action. The rescission of the 2024 final rule 
is expected to result in an estimated 10-year cost savings of $5.4 
million, discounted at 7 percent.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act ((RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996,\24\ and E.O. 13272 (67 FR 53461, Aug. 16, 2002) 
require agency review of proposed and final rules to assess their 
impacts on small entities. When an agency issues a rulemaking proposal, 
the RFA requires the agency to ``prepare and make available for public 
comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis'' which will 
``describe the impact of the proposed rule on small entities.'' \25\

[[Page 27904]]

Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in lieu of 
preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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    \24\ Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 857 (Mar. 29, 1996).
    \25\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a).
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    FRA certified that the 2024 final rule for Certification of 
Dispatchers \26\ will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Although this proposed rule, 
which would rescind that final rule, would impact a substantial number 
of small entities, it would provide a positive impact by removing all 
requirements related to certification of dispatchers. FRA recognizes 
there may be some small entities who may have begun to comply with the 
2024 final rule and therefore, incurred costs. However, FRA expects 
that the cost savings realized from rescinding this rule would be 
greater than any potential safety benefits. Therefore, this proposed 
rule would not have a significant impact on a substantial number of 
small entities, and FRA expects to certify that this rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
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    \26\ 89 FR 44766, 44797 (May 21, 2024).
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    In accordance with section 213(a) of SBREFA (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 
Stat. 857), FRA wants to assist small entities in understanding this 
proposed rule so they can better evaluate its effects on themselves and 
participate in the rulemaking initiative. If the proposed rule would 
affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction 
and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for 
compliance, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    There is no new collection of information requirements contained in 
this proposed rule and, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., an information collection submission 
to OMB is not required. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
already contained in the 2024 Certification of Dispatchers final rule, 
89 FR 44766 (May 21, 2024), were approved by OMB on June 6, 2024. With 
the proposed rescission of this rule, FRA intends to discontinue the 
associated information collection, OMB Control No. 2130-0637, when a 
final rule is published.

E. Environmental Assessment

    FRA has analyzed this proposed rule for the purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In accordance with 42 
U.S.C. 4336 and DOT NEPA Order 5610.1D, FRA has determined that this 
rule is categorically excluded pursuant to 23 CFR 771.116(c)(15). This 
rulemaking is not anticipated to result in any environmental impacts, 
and there are no unusual or extraordinary circumstances present in 
connection with this rulemaking.

F. Federalism Implications

    This proposed rule will not have a substantial effect on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Thus, in accordance with E.O. 13132, 
``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, Aug. 10, 1999), preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment is not warranted.

G. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This proposed rule would not result in the expenditure, in the 
aggregate, of $100,000,000 or more, adjusted for inflation, in any one 
year by State, local, or Indian Tribal governments, or the private 
sector. Thus, consistent with section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 2 U.S.C. 1532), FRA is not required 
to prepare a written statement detailing the effect of such an 
expenditure.

H. Energy Impact

    E.O. 13211 requires Federal agencies to prepare a Statement of 
Energy Effects for any ``significant energy action.'' \27\ FRA has 
evaluated this proposed rule in accordance with E.O. 13211 and 
determined that this proposed rule is not a ``significant energy 
action'' within the meaning of E.O. 13211.
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    \27\ 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001).
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I. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

    FRA has evaluated this proposed rule in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in E.O. 13175, Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (Nov. 6, 2000). The 
proposed rule would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more 
Indian tribes, would not impose substantial direct compliance costs on 
Indian tribal governments, and would not preempt tribal laws. 
Therefore, the funding and consultation requirements of E.O. 13175 do 
not apply, and a tribal summary impact statement is not required.

J. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 \28\ prohibits Federal agencies 
from engaging in any standards or related activities that create 
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the U.S. Legitimate 
domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary 
obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international 
standards and where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. 
standards. This rulemaking is purely domestic in nature and is not 
expected to affect trade opportunities for U.S. firms doing business 
overseas or for foreign firms doing business in the United States.
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    \28\ 19 U.S.C. ch. 13.
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K. Privacy Act Statement

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these 
comments, without edit, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in 
the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through 
<a href="http://www.transportation.gov/privacy">www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. To facilitate comment tracking and 
response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of 
their organization; however, submission of names is completely 
optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely 
comments will be considered. If you wish to provide comments containing 
proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for 
alternate submission instructions.

L. Rulemaking Summary

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a summary of this rule can be 
found at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, Docket No. FRA-2022-0019, in the SUMMARY 
section of this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 245

    Administrative practice and procedure, Dispatcher, Penalties, 
Railroad employees, Railroad operating procedures, Railroad safety, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

PART 245--[REMOVED]

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, under the authority of E.O. 
14219 and 49 U.S.C. 20103, FRA proposes to remove 49 CFR part 245.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
David A. Fink,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-09791 Filed 5-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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