(a) Review of Existing Regulations. - Not later than March 3, 1993, the Secretary of Transportation shall begin a review of Department of Transportation regulations related to track safety standards.

The review at least shall include an evaluation of - (1) procedures associated with maintaining and installing continuous welded rail and its attendant structure, including cold weather installation procedures; (2) the need for revisions to regulations on track excepted from track safety standards; and (3) employee safety. (b) Revision of Regulations. - Not later than September 1, 1995, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations and issue orders to revise track safety standards, considering safety information presented during the review under subsection (a) of this section and the report of the Comptroller General submitted under subsection (c) of this section. (c) Comptroller General's Study and Report. - The Comptroller General shall study the effectiveness of the Secretary's enforcement of track safety standards, with particular attention to recent relevant railroad accident experience and information.

Not later than September 3, 1993, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress and the Secretary on the results of the study, with recommendations for improving enforcement of those standards. (d) Identification of Internal Rail Defects. - In carrying out subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall consider whether or not to prescribe regulations and issue orders concerning - (1) inspection procedures to identify internal rail defects, before they reach imminent failure size, in rail that has significant shelling; and (2) any specific actions that should be taken when a rail surface condition, such as shelling, prevents the identification of internal defects.