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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program

Overview:  Funding for this program supports the certification of state inspectors to conduct investigative and surveillance activities to ensure that the application and interpretation of federal railroad safety rules, regulations, orders, and standards reflect the same national uniformity. Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm, ET, on December 9, 2024. See the FY 2025-2027 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program funding announcement for more information. 

Legislative Authority: States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105, 49 CFR part 212). Funding for this grant program was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Div. L, Tit. I, Pub. L 117-103, and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Div. L, Tit. I, Pub. L 117-328. The opportunity described in this notice is made available under Assistance Listings number 20.301, “Railroad Safety Grants.”

Funding Available for Award Under FY 2025-2027 Funding Announcement: $1,250,000

Eligible Applicants: States with a Railroad Safety State Participation Agreement under 49 U.S.C. 20105 and inspectors on staff are eligible applicants for funding under the FY 2025-2027 funding announcements. The following state agencies have the aforementioned plan and responsibilities in partnership with FRA for regulating the safety practices for railroad equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operation.

  • Alabama Public Service Commission
  • Arizona Corporation Commission
  • California Public Utilities Commission
  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission
  • District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment
  • Florida Department of Transportation
  • Idaho Public Utilities Commission
  • Illinois Commerce Commission
  • Indiana Department of Transportation
  • Iowa Department of Transportation  
  • Maine Department of Transportation
  • Maryland Department of Labor
  • Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Mississippi Department of Transportation
  • Missouri DOT – MO Highways and Transportation Commission
  • Montana Public Service Commission
  • Nebraska Public Service Commission
  • New Hampshire Department of Transportation
  • New Jersey Department of Transportation
  • New Mexico Public Regulations Commission
  • New York State Department of Transportation
  • Public Utilities Commission of Nevada
  • North Carolina Department of Transportation
  • North Dakota Public Service Commission
  • Ohio Public Utilities Commission
  • Oregon Department of Transportation
  • Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  • Executive Office of the State of South Carolina
  • Tennessee Department of Transportation
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Utah Department of Transportation 
  • Virginia State Corporation Commission
  • Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission
  • Public Service Commission of West Virginia

Eligible Projects: The grant funding is available for FRA-approved technical training; travel expenses to attend approved FRA technical training, conferences, and meetings; and laptop computers required to support inspector reporting and data analysis.

 


Previous Railroad Safety State Participation Funding Rounds

FY22 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program

Legislative Authority:  States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105, 49 CFR part 212). Funding for this grant program was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law 116-260, Div. L, Tit. I. The opportunity described in this notice is made available under Assistance Listings number 20.301, “Railroad Safety Grants.”

Funding Available for Award Under FY 2022 funding announcements: $254,424.70

  • 13 projects totaling $254,424.70 were selected

Recipients: FY22 Grant Program Recipients

Resources:  

FY21 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program

Legislative Authority:  States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105, 49 CFR part 212). Funding for this grant program was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, Div. L, Tit. I. The opportunity described in this notice is made available under Assistance Listings number 20.301, “Railroad Safety Grants.”

Funding Available for Award Under FY 2021 NOFO: $100,000, of which $15,000 was allocated for laptop computers.

  • 6 projects totaling $52,601 were selected

Recipients: FY21 Grant Program Recipients 

Resources:  


FY20 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program

Legislative Authority:  States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105, 49 CFR part 212). The funding for this program was made available by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-94, Div. G, Tit. I (2020 Appropriations Act).

Recipients: FY20 Grant Program Recipients

Resources:  

FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program

Overview:  No longer a pilot in FY 2019, the program was renamed the “Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program.” This funding cycle, the program provided grants to 27 states with Federal Railroad Safety Program State Participation Agreements to help fund eligible training, travel, laptop computers, and grant management administration.

Legislative Authority: States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105). The funding for this program was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, Public Law 116-6, Div. G, Tit. I, (2019 Appropriations Act).

Funding Available for Award: $485,000

Recipients: FY19 Grant Program Recipients

Resources:  

 

FY17 & FY18 Railroad Safety State Participation Pilot Grant Program

Overview:  In FY 2017, FRA initiated the State Railroad Safety Participation Pilot Grant Program and continued to fund it as a pilot program for 12 states in FY 2018 (see FY 17 and FY 18 Grant Program Recipients). 

Legislative Authority: States are authorized to work in partnership with FRA to enforce federal railroad safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 20105). The funding for this pilot program was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Div. K, Title I, Public Law 115-31 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Div. L, Title I, Public Law 115-141 (2017 and 2018 Appropriations Acts).

Funding Available for Award: 

  • FY 17: $385,264 
  • FY 18: $436,552

Recipients:  FY17 and FY18 Grant Program Recipients

Resources: 

News: July 11, 2018