US SB546

Establishes the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under FEMA's National Advisory Council within 30 days of enactment, with an initial meeting required within 90 days

Membership includes representatives from FEMA, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, NTSB, Federal Railroad Administration, TSA, Coast Guard, EPA, and additional appointees from the rail industry, rail labor, emergency response providers, tribal organizations, and other stakeholders

Requires the subcommittee to evaluate and develop recommendations on improving emergency responder training quality, access, and modernization for rail hazardous materials incidents, with particular focus on small communities near railroads and fluctuations in oil shipments by rail

Mandates a report to the National Advisory Council within 1 year of enactment, which after approval must be submitted to relevant Senate and House committees, specifying implementation timeframes and identifying recommendations requiring congressional action

The FEMA Administrator must provide annual updates to Congress on implementation status for 2 years after the report is submitted, and the RESPONSE Subcommittee terminates 90 days after submission of its final approved report