-CITE- 49 USC CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -MISC1- Sec. 24101. Findings, mission, and goals. 24102. Definitions. 24103. Enforcement. 24104. Authorization of appropriations. 24105. Congestion grants. AMENDMENTS 2008 - Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 201(e)(2), title III, Sec. 302(b), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4911, 4947, substituted "Findings, mission, and goals" for "Findings, purpose, and goals" in item 24101 and added item 24105. -End- -CITE- 49 USC Sec. 24101 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- Sec. 24101. Findings, mission, and goals -STATUTE- (a) Findings. - (1) Public convenience and necessity require that Amtrak, to the extent its budget allows, provide modern, cost- efficient, and energy-efficient intercity rail passenger transportation between crowded urban areas and in other areas of the United States. (2) Rail passenger transportation can help alleviate overcrowding of airways and airports and on highways. (3) A traveler in the United States should have the greatest possible choice of transportation most convenient to the needs of the traveler. (4) A greater degree of cooperation is necessary among Amtrak, other rail carriers, State, regional, and local governments, the private sector, labor organizations, and suppliers of services and equipment to Amtrak to achieve a performance level sufficient to justify expending public money. (5) Modern and efficient commuter rail passenger transportation is important to the viability and well-being of major urban areas and to the energy conservation and self-sufficiency goals of the United States. (6) As a rail passenger transportation entity, Amtrak should be available to operate commuter rail passenger transportation through its subsidiary, Amtrak Commuter, under contract with commuter authorities that do not provide the transportation themselves as part of the governmental function of the State. (7) The Northeast Corridor is a valuable resource of the United States used by intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation and freight transportation. (8) Greater coordination between intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation is required. (b) Mission. - The mission of Amtrak is to provide efficient and effective intercity passenger rail mobility consisting of high quality service that is trip-time competitive with other intercity travel options and that is consistent with the goals of subsection (d). (c) Goals. - Amtrak shall - (1) use its best business judgment in acting to minimize United States Government subsidies, including - (A) increasing fares; (B) increasing revenue from the transportation of mail and express; (C) reducing losses on food service; (D) improving its contracts with operating rail carriers; (E) reducing management costs; and (F) increasing employee productivity; (2) minimize Government subsidies by encouraging State, regional, and local governments and the private sector, separately or in combination, to share the cost of providing rail passenger transportation, including the cost of operating facilities; (3) carry out strategies to achieve immediately maximum productivity and efficiency consistent with safe and efficient transportation; (4) operate Amtrak trains, to the maximum extent feasible, to all station stops within 15 minutes of the time established in public timetables; (5) develop transportation on rail corridors subsidized by States and private parties; (6) implement schedules based on a systemwide average speed of at least 60 miles an hour that can be achieved with a degree of reliability and passenger comfort; (7) encourage rail carriers to assist in improving intercity rail passenger transportation; (8) improve generally the performance of Amtrak through comprehensive and systematic operational programs and employee incentives; (9) provide additional or complementary intercity transportation service to ensure mobility in times of national disaster or other instances where other travel options are not adequately available; (10) carry out policies that ensure equitable access to the Northeast Corridor by intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation; (11) coordinate the uses of the Northeast Corridor, particularly intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation; and (12) maximize the use of its resources, including the most cost- effective use of employees, facilities, and real property. (d) Minimizing Government Subsidies. - To carry out subsection (c)(12) of this section, Amtrak is encouraged to make agreements with the private sector and undertake initiatives that are consistent with good business judgment and designed to maximize its revenues and minimize Government subsidies. Amtrak shall prepare a financial plan, consistent with section 204 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, including the budgetary goals for fiscal years 2009 through 2013. Amtrak and its Board of Directors shall adopt a long-term plan that minimizes the need for Federal operating subsidies. -SOURCE- (Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 105-134, title I, Sec. 105(b), title II, Sec. 201, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2573, 2578; Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Secs. 201(e)(1), 218(a)(1), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4910, 4930.) -MISC1- HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) Section -------------------------------------------------------------------- 24101(a) 45:501. Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, Sec. 101, 84 Stat. 1328; Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Sec. 102, 93 Stat. 537; restated Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1171, 95 Stat. 687. 24101(b) 45:541 (2d sentence Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. words after 1st 91-518, Sec. 301 (2d comma). sentence words after 1st comma), 84 Stat. 1330; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1188(a), 95 Stat. 699. 24101(c) 45:501a (less (14) Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. (last sentence)). 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 102; added Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Sec. 103(a), 93 Stat. 537; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1172, 95 Stat. 688. 24101(d) 45:501a(14) (last sentence). -------------------------------------------------------------------- In this part, the word "Amtrak" is substituted for "National Railroad Passenger Corporation", and the words "Amtrak Commuter" are substituted for "Amtrak Commuter Services Corporation", to reflect the more current and commonly used names of the entities. The words "rail transportation" are substituted for "rail service" and "rail services", the word "transportation" is substituted for "service" where appropriate, and the word "authority" is substituted for "agency", as being more appropriate and for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "rail carrier" are substituted for "railroad" because of the definitions of "rail carrier" and "railroad" in 49:10102. In subsection (a), the words "The Congress finds that the" and "The Congress further finds that" are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(3), the words "greatest possible choice of" are substituted for "to the maximum extent feasible . . . the freedom to choose the mode of" to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words "Amtrak shall" are substituted for "The Congress hereby establishes the following goals for Amtrak" to eliminate unnecessary words. The text of 45:501a(3) and (4) is omitted as executed. The text of 45:501a(9) is omitted as obsolete because there no longer are any technical assistance panels. In clause (2), the words "stations and other" are omitted as surplus. In clause (4), the words "for such operation" are omitted as surplus. In clause (10), the word "various" is omitted as surplus. In clause (11), the words "real property" are substituted for "real estate" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. -REFTEXT- REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 204 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (d), is section 204 of Pub. L. 110- 432, which is set out in a note below. -MISC2- AMENDMENTS 2008 - Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 201(e)(1)(A), substituted "mission" for "purpose" in section catchline. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 201(e)(1)(B), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "By using innovative operating and marketing concepts, Amtrak shall provide intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation that completely develops the potential of modern rail transportation to meet the intercity and commuter passenger transportation needs of the United States." Subsec. (c)(9) to (12). Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 201(e)(1)(C), added par. (9) and redesignated former pars. (9) to (11) as (10) to (12), respectively. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 218(a)(1)(B), substituted "Amtrak and its Board of Directors shall adopt a long-term plan that minimizes the need for Federal operating subsidies." for "Commencing no later than the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, Amtrak shall operate without Federal operating grant funds appropriated for its benefit." Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 218(a)(1)(A), which directed substitution of "plan, consistent with section 204 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, including the budgetary goals for fiscal years 2009 through 2013." for "plan to operate within the funding levels authorized by section 24104 of this chapter, including the budgetary goals for fiscal years 1998 through 2002." was executed by making the substitution for "plan to operate within the funding levels authorized by section 24104 of this chapter, including budgetary goals for fiscal years 1998 through 2002." to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 201(e)(1)(D), substituted "subsection (c)(12)" for "subsection (c)(11)". 1997 - Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 105(b), inserted ", separately or in combination," after "and the private sector". Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 201, inserted at end "Amtrak shall prepare a financial plan to operate within the funding levels authorized by section 24104 of this chapter, including budgetary goals for fiscal years 1998 through 2002. Commencing no later than the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, Amtrak shall operate without Federal operating grant funds appropriated for its benefit." AMTRAK TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE NON-HIGH-SPEED SERVICES Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 201(c), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4910, provided that: "Nothing in this division [see Short Title of 2008 Amendment note set out under section 20101 of this title] is intended to preclude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service." AMTRAK REFORM AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Secs. 203-209, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4912-4917, provided that: "SEC. 203. ESTABLISHMENT OF IMPROVED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. "(a) In General. - The Amtrak Board of Directors - "(1) may employ an independent financial consultant with experience in railroad accounting to assist Amtrak in improving Amtrak's financial accounting and reporting system and practices; "(2) shall implement a modern financial accounting and reporting system not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008]; and "(3) shall, not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year through fiscal year 2013 - "(A) submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a comprehensive report that allocates all of Amtrak's revenues and costs to each of its routes, each of its lines of business, and each major activity within each route and line of business activity, including - "(i) train operations; "(ii) equipment maintenance; "(iii) food service; "(iv) sleeping cars; "(v) ticketing; "(vi) reservations; and "(vii) unallocated fixed overhead costs; "(B) include the report described in subparagraph (A) in Amtrak's annual report; and "(C) post such report on Amtrak's website. "(b) Verification of System; Report. - The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall review the accounting system designed and implemented under subsection (a) to ensure that it accomplishes the purposes for which it is intended. The Inspector General shall report his or her findings and conclusions, together with any recommendations, to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. "(c) Categorization of Revenues and Expenses. - In carrying out subsection (a), the Amtrak Board of Directors shall separately categorize assigned revenues and attributable expenses by type of service, including long-distance routes, State-sponsored routes, commuter contract routes, and Northeast Corridor routes. "SEC. 204. DEVELOPMENT OF 5-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. "(a) Development of 5-Year Financial Plan. - The Amtrak Board of Directors shall submit an annual budget and business plan for Amtrak, and a 5-year financial plan for the fiscal year to which that budget and business plan relate and the subsequent 4 years, prepared in accordance with this section, to the Secretary [of Transportation] and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation no later than - "(1) the first day of each fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008]; or "(2) the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of an appropriations Act for the fiscal year, if later. "(b) Contents of 5-Year Financial Plan. - The 5-year financial plan for Amtrak shall include, at a minimum - "(1) all projected revenues and expenditures for Amtrak, including governmental funding sources; "(2) projected ridership levels for all Amtrak passenger operations; "(3) revenue and expenditure forecasts for non-passenger operations; "(4) capital funding requirements and expenditures necessary to maintain passenger service in order to accommodate predicted ridership levels and predicted sources of capital funding; "(5) operational funding needs, if any, to maintain current and projected levels of passenger service, including State-supported routes and predicted funding sources; "(6) projected capital and operating requirements, ridership, and revenue for any new passenger service operations or service expansions; "(7) an assessment of the continuing financial stability of Amtrak, as indicated by factors such as anticipated Federal funding of capital and operating costs, Amtrak's ability to efficiently recruit, retain, and manage its workforce, and Amtrak's ability to effectively provide passenger rail service; "(8) estimates of long-term and short-term debt and associated principal and interest payments (both current and anticipated); "(9) annual cash flow forecasts; "(10) a statement describing methods of estimation and significant assumptions; "(11) specific measures that demonstrate measurable improvement year over year in the financial results of Amtrak's operations; "(12) prior fiscal year and projected operating ratio, cash operating loss, and cash operating loss per passenger on a route, business line, and corporate basis; "(13) prior fiscal year and projected specific costs and savings estimates resulting from reform initiatives; "(14) prior fiscal year and projected labor productivity statistics on a route, business line, and corporate basis; "(15) prior fiscal year and projected equipment reliability statistics; and "(16) capital and operating expenditures for anticipated security needs. "(c) Standards To Promote Financial Stability. - In meeting the requirements of subsection (b), Amtrak shall - "(1) apply sound budgetary practices, including reducing costs and other expenditures, improving productivity, increasing revenues, or combinations of such practices; "(2) use the categories specified in the financial accounting and reporting system developed under section 203 when preparing its 5-year financial plan; and "(3) ensure that the plan is consistent with the authorizations of appropriations under title I of this division [122 Stat. 4908]. "(d) Review by DOT Inspector General. - Within 60 days after their submission by Amtrak, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall review the annual budget and the 5-year financial plans prepared by Amtrak under this section to determine whether they meet the requirements of subsection (b) and shall furnish any relevant findings to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. "SEC. 205. RESTRUCTURING LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES. "(a) In General. - The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary [of Transportation] and Amtrak, may make agreements to restructure Amtrak's indebtedness as of the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008]. This authorization expires 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. "(b) Debt Restructuring. - The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary and Amtrak, shall enter into negotiations with the holders of Amtrak debt, including leases, outstanding as of the date of enactment of this Act for the purpose of restructuring (including repayment) and repaying that debt. The Secretary of the Treasury may secure agreements for restructuring or repayment on such terms as the Secretary of the Treasury deems favorable to the interests of the United States Government. "(c) Criteria. - In restructuring Amtrak's indebtedness, the Secretary of the Treasury and Amtrak - "(1) shall take into consideration repayment costs, the term of any loan or loans, and market conditions; and "(2) shall ensure that the restructuring results in significant savings to Amtrak and the United States Government. "(d) Payment of Renegotiated Debt. - If the criteria under subsection (c) are met, the Secretary of the Treasury may assume or repay the restructured debt, as appropriate. "(e) Amtrak Principal and Interest Payments. - "(1) Principal on debt service. - Unless the Secretary of the Treasury makes sufficient payments to creditors under subsection (d) so that Amtrak is required to make no payments to creditors in a fiscal year, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall use funds authorized by section 102 of this division [122 Stat. 4908] for the use of Amtrak for retirement of principal or payment of interest on loans for capital equipment, or capital leases. "(2) Reductions in authorization levels. - Whenever action taken by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (a) results in reductions in amounts of principal or interest that Amtrak must service on existing debt, the corresponding amounts authorized by section 102 [122 Stat. 4908] shall be reduced accordingly. "(f) Legal Effect of Payments Under This Section. - The payment of principal and interest on secured debt, other than debt assumed under subsection (d), with the proceeds of grants under subsection (e) shall not - "(1) modify the extent or nature of any indebtedness of Amtrak to the United States in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008]; "(2) change the private nature of Amtrak's or its successors' liabilities; or "(3) imply any Federal guarantee or commitment to amortize Amtrak's outstanding indebtedness. "(g) Secretary Approval. - Amtrak may not incur more debt after the date of enactment of this Act without the express advance approval of the Secretary [of Transportation]. "(h) Report. - The Secretary of the Treasury shall transmit a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, by June 1, 2010 - "(1) describing in detail any agreements to restructure the Amtrak debt; and "(2) providing an estimate of the savings to Amtrak and the United States Government. "SEC. 206. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROCESS. "(a) Grant Requests. - Amtrak shall submit grant requests (including a schedule for the disbursement of funds), consistent with the requirements of this division [see Short Title of 2008 Amendment note set out under section 20101 of this title], to the Secretary [of Transportation] for funds authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak under sections 101(a), (b), and (c) [122 Stat. 4908], 102 [122 Stat. 4908], 219(b) [49 U.S.C. 24307 note], and 302 [enacting section 24105 of this title]. "(b) Procedures for Grant Requests. - The Secretary shall establish substantive and procedural requirements, including schedules, for grant requests under this section not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008] and shall transmit copies of such requirements and schedules to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. As part of those requirements, the Secretary shall require, at a minimum, that Amtrak deposit grant funds, consistent with the appropriated amounts for each area of expenditure in a given fiscal year, in the following 2 accounts: "(1) The Amtrak Operating account. "(2) The Amtrak General Capital account. Amtrak may not transfer such funds to another account or expend such funds for any purpose other than the purposes covered by the account in which the funds are deposited without approval by the Secretary [of Transportation]. "(c) Review and Approval. - "(1) 30-day approval process. - The Secretary shall complete the review of a grant request (including the disbursement schedule) and approve or disapprove the request within 30 days after the date on which Amtrak submits the grant request. If the Secretary disapproves the request or determines that the request is incomplete or deficient, the Secretary shall include the reason for disapproval or the incomplete items or deficiencies in a notice to Amtrak. "(2) 15-day modification period. - Within 15 days after receiving notification from the Secretary under the preceding sentence, Amtrak shall submit a modified request for the Secretary's review. "(3) Revised requests. - Within 15 days after receiving a modified request from Amtrak, the Secretary shall either approve the modified request, or, if the Secretary finds that the request is still incomplete or deficient, the Secretary shall identify in writing to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the remaining deficiencies and recommend a process for resolving the outstanding portions of the request. "SEC. 207. METRICS AND STANDARDS. "(a) In General. - Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak shall jointly, in consultation with the Surface Transportation Board, rail carriers over whose rail lines Amtrak trains operate, States, Amtrak employees, nonprofit employee organizations representing Amtrak employees, and groups representing Amtrak passengers, as appropriate, develop new or improve existing metrics and minimum standards for measuring the performance and service quality of intercity passenger train operations, including cost recovery, on-time performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other services. Such metrics, at a minimum, shall include the percentage of avoidable and fully allocated operating costs covered by passenger revenues on each route, ridership per train mile operated, measures of on-time performance and delays incurred by intercity passenger trains on the rail lines of each rail carrier and, for long-distance routes, measures of connectivity with other routes in all regions currently receiving Amtrak service and the transportation needs of communities and populations that are not well-served by other forms of intercity transportation. Amtrak shall provide reasonable access to the Federal Railroad Administration in order to enable the Administration to carry out its duty under this section. "(b) Quarterly Reports. - The Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration shall collect the necessary data and publish a quarterly report on the performance and service quality of intercity passenger train operations, including Amtrak's cost recovery, ridership, on-time performance and minutes of delay, causes of delay, on-board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other services. "(c) Contracts With Host Rail Carriers. - To the extent practicable, Amtrak and its host rail carriers shall incorporate the metrics and standards developed under subsection (a) into their access and service agreements. "(d) Arbitration. - If the development of the metrics and standards is not completed within the 180-day period required by subsection (a), any party involved in the development of those standards may petition the Surface Transportation Board to appoint an arbitrator to assist the parties in resolving their disputes through binding arbitration. "SEC. 208. METHODOLOGIES FOR AMTRAK ROUTE AND SERVICE PLANNING DECISIONS. "(a) Methodology Development. - Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Federal Railroad Administration shall obtain the services of a qualified independent entity to develop and recommend objective methodologies for Amtrak to use in determining what intercity passenger routes and services it will provide, including the establishment of new routes, the elimination of existing routes, and the contraction or expansion of services or frequencies over such routes. In developing such methodologies, the entity shall consider - "(1) the current or expected performance and service quality of intercity passenger train operations, including cost recovery, on- time performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other services; "(2) connectivity of a route with other routes; "(3) the transportation needs of communities and populations that are not well served by intercity passenger rail service or by other forms of intercity transportation; "(4) Amtrak's and other major intercity passenger rail service providers in other countries' methodologies for determining intercity passenger rail routes and services; and "(5) the views of the States and other interested parties. "(b) Submittal to Congress. - Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the entity shall submit recommendations developed under subsection (a) to Amtrak, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. "(c) Consideration of Recommendations. - Within 90 days after receiving the recommendations developed under subsection (a) by the entity, the Amtrak Board of Directors shall consider the adoption of those recommendations. The Board shall transmit a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate explaining its reasons for adopting or not adopting the recommendations. "SEC. 209. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES. "(a) In General. - Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Amtrak Board of Directors, in consultation with the Secretary [of Transportation], the governors of each relevant State, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or entities representing those officials, shall develop and implement a single, nationwide standardized methodology for establishing and allocating the operating and capital costs among the States and Amtrak associated with trains operated on each of the routes described in section 24102(5)(B) and (D) and section 24702 that - "(1) ensures, within 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, equal treatment in the provision of like services of all States and groups of States (including the District of Columbia); and "(2) allocates to each route the costs incurred only for the benefit of that route and a proportionate share, based upon factors that reasonably reflect relative use, of costs incurred for the common benefit of more than 1 route. "(b) Revisions. - The Amtrak Board of Directors, in consultation with the Secretary, the governors of each relevant State, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or entities representing those officials, may revise or amend the methodology established under subsection (a) as necessary, consistent with the intent of this section, including revisions or modifications based on Amtrak's financial accounting system developed pursuant to section 203 of this division. "(c) Review. - If Amtrak and the States (including the District of Columbia) in which Amtrak operates such routes do not voluntarily adopt and implement the methodology developed under subsection (a) in allocating costs and determining compensation for the provision of service in accordance with the date established therein, the Surface Transportation Board shall determine the appropriate methodology required under subsection (a) for such services in accordance with the procedures and procedural schedule applicable to a proceeding under section 24904(c) of title 49, United States Code, and require the full implementation of this methodology with regards to the provision of such service within 1 year after the Board's determination of the appropriate methodology. "(d) Use of Chapter 244 Funds. - Funds provided to a State under chapter 244 of title 49, United States Code, may be used, as provided in that chapter, to pay capital costs determined in accordance with this section." ON-BOARD SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 222, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4932, provided that: "(a) In General. - Within 1 year after metrics and standards are established under section 207 of this division [set out above], Amtrak shall develop and implement a plan to improve on-board service pursuant to the metrics and standards for such service developed under that section. "(b) Report. - Amtrak shall provide a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the on-board service improvements proscribed in the plan and the timeline for implementing such improvements." NEXT GENERATION CORRIDOR TRAIN EQUIPMENT Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title III, Sec. 305, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4951, provided that: "(a) In General. - Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], Amtrak shall establish a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee, comprised of representatives of Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, host freight railroad companies, passenger railroad equipment manufacturers, interested States, and, as appropriate, other passenger railroad operators. The purpose of the Committee shall be to design, develop specifications for, and procure standardized next-generation corridor equipment. "(b) Functions. - The Committee may - "(1) determine the number of different types of equipment required, taking into account variations in operational needs and corridor infrastructure; "(2) establish a pool of equipment to be used on corridor routes funded by participating States; and "(3) subject to agreements between Amtrak and States, utilize services provided by Amtrak to design, maintain and remanufacture equipment. "(c) Cooperative Agreements. - Amtrak and States participating in the Committee may enter into agreements for the funding, procurement, remanufacture, ownership, and management of corridor equipment, including equipment currently owned or leased by Amtrak and next-generation corridor equipment acquired as a result of the Committee's actions, and may establish a corporation, which may be owned or jointly-owned by Amtrak, participating States, or other entities, to perform these functions. "(d) Funding. - In addition to the authorizations provided in this section, capital projects to carry out the purposes of this section shall be eligible for grants made pursuant to chapter 244 of title 49, United States Code. "(e) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary [of Transportation] $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, to remain available until expended, for grants to Amtrak and States participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee established under this section for the purpose of designing, developing specifications for, and initiating the procurement of an initial order of 1 or more types of standardized next-generation corridor train equipment and establishing a jointly-owned corporation to manage that equipment." FAIR COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR STATE-SUPPORTED INTERCITY RAIL SERVICE Pub. L. 108-447, div. H, title I, Sec. 150, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3221, which provided that for the purpose of assisting State- supported intercity rail service, in order to demonstrate whether competition would provide higher quality rail passenger service at reasonable prices, the Secretary of Transportation, working with affected States, was to develop and implement a procedure for fair competitive bidding by Amtrak and non-Amtrak operators for State- supported routes, was from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, and was not repeated in subsequent appropriation acts. Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation act: Pub. L. 108-199, div. F, title I, Sec. 151, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 303. AMTRAK FINDINGS Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 2, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2571, provided that: "The Congress finds that - "(1) intercity rail passenger service is an essential component of a national intermodal passenger transportation system; "(2) Amtrak is facing a financial crisis, with growing and substantial debt obligations severely limiting its ability to cover operating costs and jeopardizing its long-term viability; "(3) immediate action is required to improve Amtrak's financial condition if Amtrak is to survive; "(4) all of Amtrak's stakeholders, including labor, management, and the Federal Government, must participate in efforts to reduce Amtrak's costs and increase its revenues; "(5) additional flexibility is needed to allow Amtrak to operate in a businesslike manner in order to manage costs and maximize revenues; "(6) Amtrak should ensure that new management flexibility produces cost savings without compromising safety; "(7) Amtrak's management should be held accountable to ensure that all investment by the Federal Government and State governments is used effectively to improve the quality of service and the long-term financial health of Amtrak; "(8) Amtrak and its employees should proceed quickly with proposals to modify collective bargaining agreements to make more efficient use of manpower and to realize cost savings which are necessary to reduce Federal financial assistance; "(9) Amtrak and intercity bus service providers should work cooperatively and develop coordinated intermodal relationships promoting seamless transportation services which enhance travel options and increase operating efficiencies; "(10) Amtrak's Strategic Business Plan calls for the establishment of a dedicated source of capital funding for Amtrak in order to ensure that Amtrak will be able to fulfill the goals of maintaining - "(A) a national passenger rail system; and "(B) that system without Federal operating assistance; and "(11) Federal financial assistance to cover operating losses incurred by Amtrak should be eliminated by the year 2002." FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY Pub. L. 105-134, title II, Secs. 202-205, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2578-2582, as amended by Pub. L. 108-271, Sec. 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 218(a)(2), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4930, provided that: "SEC. 202. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT. "(a) Initiation. - Not later than 15 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 2, 1997], the Secretary of Transportation shall contract with an entity independent of Amtrak and not in any contractual relationship with Amtrak, and independent of the Department of Transportation, to conduct a complete independent assessment of the financial requirements of Amtrak through fiscal year 2002. The entity shall have demonstrated knowledge about railroad industry accounting requirements, including the uniqueness of the industry and of Surface Transportation Board accounting requirements. The Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, shall approve the entity's statement of work and the award and shall oversee the contract. In carrying out its responsibilities under the preceding sentence, the Inspector General's Office shall perform such overview and validation or verification of data as may be necessary to assure that the assessment conducted under this subsection meets the requirements of this section. "(b) Assessment Criteria. - The Secretary and Amtrak shall provide to the independent entity estimates of the financial requirements of Amtrak for the period described in subsection (a), using as a base the fiscal year 1997 appropriation levels established by the Congress. The independent assessment shall be based on an objective analysis of Amtrak's funding needs. "(c) Certain Factors To Be Taken into Account. - The independent assessment shall take into account all relevant factors, including Amtrak's - "(1) cost allocation process and procedures; "(2) expenses related to intercity rail passenger service, commuter service, and any other service Amtrak provides; "(3) Strategic Business Plan, including Amtrak's projected expenses, capital needs, ridership, and revenue forecasts; and "(4) assets and liabilities. For purposes of paragraph (3), in the capital needs part of its Strategic Business Plan Amtrak shall distinguish between that portion of the capital required for the Northeast Corridor and that required outside the Northeast Corridor, and shall include rolling stock requirements, including capital leases, 'state of good repair' requirements, and infrastructure improvements. "(d) Bidding Practices. - "(1) Study. - The independent assessment also shall determine whether, and to what extent, Amtrak has performed each year during the period from 1992 through 1996 services under contract at amounts less than the cost to Amtrak of performing such services with respect to any activity other than the provision of intercity rail passenger transportation, or mail or express transportation. For purposes of this clause, the cost to Amtrak of performing services shall be determined using generally accepted accounting principles for contracting. If identified, such contracts shall be detailed in the report of the independent assessment, as well as the methodology for preparation of bids to reflect Amtrak's actual cost of performance. "(2) Reform. - If the independent assessment performed under this subparagraph reveals that Amtrak has performed services under contract for an amount less than the cost to Amtrak of performing such services, with respect to any activity other than the provision of intercity rail passenger transportation, or mail or express transportation, then Amtrak shall revise its methodology for preparation of bids to reflect its cost of performance. "(e) Deadline. - The independent assessment shall be completed not later than 180 days after the contract is awarded, and shall be submitted to the Council established under section 203, the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the United States Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives. "SEC. 203. AMTRAK REFORM COUNCIL. "(a) Establishment. - There is established an independent commission to be known as the Amtrak Reform Council. "(b) Membership. - "(1) In general. - The Council shall consist of 11 members, as follows: "(A) The Secretary of Transportation. "(B) Two individuals appointed by the President, of which - "(i) one shall be a representative of a rail labor organization; and "(ii) one shall be a representative of rail management. "(C) Three individuals appointed by the Majority Leader of the United States Senate. "(D) One individual appointed by the Minority Leader of the United States Senate. "(E) Three individuals appointed by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. "(F) One individual appointed by the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives. "(2) Appointment criteria. - "(A) Time for initial appointments. - Appointments under paragraph (1) shall be made within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 2, 1997]. "(B) Expertise. - Individuals appointed under subparagraphs (C) through (F) of paragraph (1) - "(i) may not be employees of the United States; "(ii) may not be board members or employees of Amtrak; "(iii) may not be representatives of rail labor organizations or rail management; and "(iv) shall have technical qualifications, professional standing, and demonstrated expertise in the field of corporate management, finance, rail or other transportation operations, labor, economics, or the law, or other areas of expertise relevant to the Council. "(3) Term. - Members shall serve for terms of 5 years. If a vacancy occurs other than by the expiration of a term, the individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall be appointed in the same manner as, and shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term for which, that individual's predecessor was appointed. "(4) Chairman. - The Council shall elect a chairman from among its membership within 15 days after the earlier of - "(A) the date on which all members of the Council have been appointed under paragraph (2)(A); or "(B) 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act. "(5) Majority required for action. - A majority of the members of the Council present and voting is required for the Council to take action. No person shall be elected chairman of the Council who receives fewer than 5 votes. "(c) Administrative Support. - The Secretary of Transportation shall provide such administrative support to the Council as it needs in order to carry out its duties under this section. "(d) Travel Expenses. - Each member of the Council shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section[s] 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. "(e) Meetings. - Each meeting of the Council, other than a meeting at which proprietary information is to be discussed, shall be open to the public. "(f) Access to Information. - Amtrak shall make available to the Council all information the Council requires to carry out its duties under this section. The Council shall establish appropriate procedures to ensure against the public disclosure of any information obtained under this subsection that is a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential. "(g) Duties. - "(1) Evaluation and recommendation. - The Council shall - "(A) evaluate Amtrak's performance; and "(B) make recommendations to Amtrak for achieving further cost containment and productivity improvements, and financial reforms. "(2) Specific considerations. - In making its evaluation and recommendations under paragraph (1), the Council shall consider all relevant performance factors, including - "(A) Amtrak's operation as a national passenger rail system which provides access to all regions of the country and ties together existing and emerging rail passenger corridors; "(B) appropriate methods for adoption of uniform cost and accounting procedures throughout the Amtrak system, based on generally accepted accounting principles; and "(C) management efficiencies and revenue enhancements, including savings achieved through labor and contracting negotiations. "(3) Monitor work-rule savings. - If, after January 1, 1997, Amtrak enters into an agreement involving work-rules intended to achieve savings with an organization representing Amtrak employees, then Amtrak shall report quarterly to the Council - "(A) the savings realized as a result of the agreement; and "(B) how the savings are allocated. "(h) Annual Report. - Each year before the fifth anniversary of the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 2, 1997], the Council shall submit to the Congress a report that includes an assessment of - "(1) Amtrak's progress on the resolution of productivity issues; or "(2) the status of those productivity issues, and makes recommendations for improvements and for any changes in law it believes to be necessary or appropriate. "(i) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated to the Council such sums as may be necessary to enable the Council to carry out its duties. "[SECS. 204, 205. Repealed. Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 218(a)(2), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4930.]" INTERSTATE RAIL COMPACTS Pub. L. 105-134, title IV, Sec. 410, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2587, provided that: "(a) Consent to Compacts. - Congress grants consent to States with an interest in a specific form, route, or corridor of intercity passenger rail service (including high speed rail service) to enter into interstate compacts to promote the provision of the service, including - "(1) retaining an existing service or commencing a new service; "(2) assembling rights-of-way; and "(3) performing capital improvements, including - "(A) the construction and rehabilitation of maintenance facilities; "(B) the purchase of locomotives; and "(C) operational improvements, including communications, signals, and other systems. "(b) Financing. - An interstate compact established by States under subsection (a) may provide that, in order to carry out the compact, the States may - "(1) accept contributions from a unit of State or local government or a person; "(2) use any Federal or State funds made available for intercity passenger rail service (except funds made available for Amtrak); "(3) on such terms and conditions as the States consider advisable - "(A) borrow money on a short-term basis and issue notes for the borrowing; and "(B) issue bonds; and "(4) obtain financing by other means permitted under Federal or State law." -CROSS- DEFINITION Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, Sec. 3, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4908, provided that: "In this division [see Short Title of 2008 Amendment note set out under section 20101 of this title], the term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Transportation." -End- -CITE- 49 USC Sec. 24102 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- Sec. 24102. Definitions -STATUTE- In this part - (1) "auto-ferry transportation" means intercity rail passenger transportation - (A) of automobiles or recreational vehicles and their occupants; and (B) when space is available, of used unoccupied vehicles. (2) "commuter authority" means a State, local, or regional entity established to provide, or make a contract providing for, commuter rail passenger transportation. (3) "commuter rail passenger transportation" means short-haul rail passenger transportation in metropolitan and suburban areas usually having reduced fare, multiple-ride, and commuter tickets and morning and evening peak period operations. (4) "intercity rail passenger transportation" means rail passenger transportation, except commuter rail passenger transportation. (5) "national rail passenger transportation system" means - (A) the segment of the continuous Northeast Corridor railroad line between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, District of Columbia; (B) rail corridors that have been designated by the Secretary of Transportation as high-speed rail corridors (other than corridors described in subparagraph (A)), but only after regularly scheduled intercity service over a corridor has been established; (C) long-distance routes of more than 750 miles between endpoints operated by Amtrak as of the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008; and (D) short-distance corridors, or routes of not more than 750 miles between endpoints, operated by - (i) Amtrak; or (ii) another rail carrier that receives funds under chapter 244. (6) "Northeast Corridor" means Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. (7) "rail carrier" means a person, including a unit of State or local government, providing rail transportation for compensation. (8) "rate" means a rate, fare, or charge for rail transportation. (9) "regional transportation authority" means an entity established to provide passenger transportation in a region. -SOURCE- (Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 900; Pub. L. 105-134, title IV, Sec. 407, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2586; Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title II, Sec. 201(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4909.) -MISC1- HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) Section -------------------------------------------------------------------- 24102(1) 45:502(1). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, Sec. 103(1), 84 Stat. 1328; restated Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Secs. 103(a), 104, 93 Stat. 537, 538. 45:502(2). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 103(2); added Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1173(2), 95 Stat. 689. 45:502(3). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 103(3); added Nov. 3, 1973, Pub. L. 93-146, Sec. 2(2), 87 Stat. 548; restated Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Secs. 103(a), 104, 93 Stat. 537, 538; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1173(1), 95 Stat. 689; Apr. 7, 1986, Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 4012, 100 Stat. 109. 45:502(6), (7), Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. (10), (12), (14), 91-518, Sec. 103(4)-(7), (18). (10), (12), (14)-(18), 84 Stat. 1328; restated Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Secs. 103(a), 104, 93 Stat. 537, 538, 539; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1173(1), 95 Stat. 689; Oct. 27, 1992, Pub. L. 102-533, Sec. 8(1), 106 Stat. 3519. 24102(2) 45:502(4). 24102(3) 45:502(5). 24102(4) 45:502(8). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 103(8), (9); added Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1173(3), 95 Stat. 689. 24102(5) 45:502(9). 24102(6) 45:502(11). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, Sec. 103(11), 84 Stat. 1328; Nov. 3, 1973, Pub. L. 93-146, Sec. 2(1), 87 Stat. 548; restated Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Secs. 103(a), 104, 93 Stat. 537, 539; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1173(1), (4), 95 Stat. 689. 24102(7) 45:502(13). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 103(13); added Oct. 27, 1992, Pub. L. 102-533, Sec. 8(2), 106 Stat. 3519. 45:851(c). Feb. 5, 1976, Pub. L. 94-210, Sec. 701(c), 90 Stat. 120. 24102(8) 45:502(14). 24102(9) (no source). 24102(10) 45:502(15). 24102(11) 45:502(16). -------------------------------------------------------------------- In clause (1), before subclause (A), the text of 45:502(1), (2), and (10) is omitted as surplus. The text of 45:502(6), (7), (12), (14), and (18) is omitted because the complete names of the Performance Evaluation Center, Interstate Commerce Commission, Railroad Safety System Program, Technical Assistance Panel, and Secretary of Transportation are used the first time the terms appear in a section. The words "characterized by transportation" are omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the text of 45:502(5)(A) and the words "on and after October 1, 1979" are omitted as obsolete. Reference to 45:564(e) is omitted as obsolete because 45:564(e) was repealed by section 1183(d) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35, 95 Stat. 697). In clauses (4) and (10), the words "authority, corporation, or other" are omitted as surplus. In clause (4), the words "and includes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Transportation the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, any successor agencies, and any entity created by one or more such agencies for the purpose of operating" are omitted as surplus. In clause (5), the words "whether within or across the geographical boundaries of a State" are omitted as surplus. Clause (9) is added to eliminate repetition of the words "fares or charges" throughout this part. -REFTEXT- REFERENCES IN TEXT The date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in par. (5)(C), is the date of enactment of div. B of Pub. L. 110-432, which was approved Oct. 16, 2008. -MISC2- AMENDMENTS 2008 - Pars. (2) to (5). Pub. L. 110-432 added par. (5), redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (2) to (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: " 'basic system' means the system of intercity rail passenger transportation designated by the Secretary of Transportation under section 4 of the Amtrak Improvement Act of 1978 and approved by Congress, and transportation required to be provided under section 24705(a) of this title and section 4(g) of the Act, including changes in the system or transportation that Amtrak makes using the route and service criteria." 1997 - Pars. (2) to (6). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 407(1), (2), redesignated pars. (3) to (7) as (2) to (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: " 'avoidable loss' means the avoidable costs of providing rail passenger transportation, less revenue attributable to the transportation, as determined by the Interstate Commerce Commission under section 553 of title 5." Par. (7). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 407(2), (3), redesignated par. (8) as (7) and inserted ", including a unit of State or local government," after "means a person". Former par. (7) redesignated (6). Pars. (8) to (10). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 407(2), redesignated pars. (8) to (10) as (7) to (9), respectively. Par. (11). Pub. L. 105-134, Sec. 407(1), struck out par. (11) which read as follows: " 'route and service criteria' means the criteria and procedures for making route and service decisions established under section 404(c)(1)-(3)(A) of the Rail Passenger Service Act." -End- -CITE- 49 USC Sec. 24103 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- Sec. 24103. Enforcement -STATUTE- (a) General. - (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, only the Attorney General may bring a civil action for equitable relief in a district court of the United States when Amtrak or a rail carrier - (A) engages in or adheres to an action, practice, or policy inconsistent with this part; (B) obstructs or interferes with an activity authorized under this part; (C) refuses, fails, or neglects to discharge its duties and responsibilities under this part; or (D) threatens - (i) to engage in or adhere to an action, practice, or policy inconsistent with this part; (ii) to obstruct or interfere with an activity authorized by this part; or (iii) to refuse, fail, or neglect to discharge its duties and responsibilities under this part. (2) An employee affected by any conduct or threat referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, or an authorized employee representative, may bring the civil action if the conduct or threat involves a labor agreement. (b) Review of Discontinuance or Reduction. - A discontinuance of a route, a train, or transportation, or a reduction in the frequency of transportation, by Amtrak is reviewable only in a civil action for equitable relief brought by the Attorney General. (c) Venue. - Except as otherwise prohibited by law, a civil action under this section may be brought in the judicial district in which Amtrak or the rail carrier resides or is found. -SOURCE- (Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 901.) -MISC1- HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) Section -------------------------------------------------------------------- 24103(a) 45:547(a) (1st Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. sentence less words 91-518, Sec. 307(a) (1st between 13th-15th sentence), (b), 84 Stat. commas). 1333. 24103(b) 45:547(a) (last Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. sentence). 91-518, 84 Stat. 1327, Sec. 307(a) (last sentence); added Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1179, 95 Stat. 693. 24103(c) 45:547(a) (1st sentence words between 13th-15th commas), (b). -------------------------------------------------------------------- In subsections (a) and (b), the words "may bring a civil action", "may bring the civil action", and "in a civil action brought by" are substituted for "upon petition of" and "on petition of" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the words "Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection" are added for clarity. The word "only" is added for clarity. See National Railroad Passenger Corp. et al. v. National Association of Railroad Passengers, 414 U.S. 453 (1974). In clauses (A) and (D)(i), the words "the policies and purposes of" are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(2), the word "duly" is omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words "in any court" are omitted as surplus. Subsection (c) is substituted for 45:547(a) (1st sentence words between 13th-15th commas) for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The text of 45:547(b) is omitted as surplus. -End- -CITE- 49 USC Sec. 24104 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- Sec. 24104. Authorization of appropriations -STATUTE- (a) In General. - There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation - (1) $1,138,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; (2) $1,058,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; (3) $1,023,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; (4) $989,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and (5) $955,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, for the benefit of Amtrak for capital expenditures under chapters 243, 247, and 249 of this title, operating expenses, and payments described in subsection (c)(1)(A) through (C). In fiscal years following the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 no funds authorized for Amtrak shall be used for operating expenses other than those prescribed for tax liabilities under section 3221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that are more than the amount needed for benefits of individuals who retire from Amtrak and for their beneficiaries. (b) Operating Expenses. - (1) Not more than $381,000,000 may be appropriated to the Secretary for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1993, and September 30, 1994, for the benefit of Amtrak for operating expenses. Not more than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year shall be used to pay operating expenses under section 24704 (!1) of this title for transportation in operation on September 30, 1992. (2)(A) Not more than the following amounts may be appropriated to the Secretary for the benefit of Amtrak for operating losses under section 24704 (!1) of this title for transportation beginning after September 30, 1992: (i) $7,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993. (ii) $9,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1994. (B) The expenditure by Amtrak of an amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is deemed not to be an operating expense when calculating the revenue-to-operating expense ratio of Amtrak. (c) Mandatory Payments. - (1) Not more than $150,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993, and amounts that may be necessary for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1994, may be appropriated to the Secretary to pay - (A) tax liabilities under section 3221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3221) due in those fiscal years that are more than the amount needed for benefits for individuals who retire from Amtrak and for their beneficiaries; (B) obligations of Amtrak under section 8(a) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. 358(a)) due in those fiscal years that are more than obligations of Amtrak calculated on an experience-related basis; and (C) obligations of Amtrak due under section 3321 of the Code (26 U.S.C. 3321). (2) Amounts appropriated under this subsection are not a United States Government subsidy of Amtrak. (d) Payment to Amtrak. - Amounts appropriated under this section shall be paid to Amtrak under the budget request of the Secretary as approved or modified by Congress when the amounts are appropriated. A payment may not be made more frequently than once every 90 days, unless Amtrak, for good cause, requests more frequent payment before a 90-day period ends. In each fiscal year in which amounts are authorized to be appropriated under this section, amounts appropriated shall be paid to Amtrak as follows: (1) 50 percent on October 1. (2) 25 percent on January 1. (3) 25 percent on April 1. (e) Availability of Amounts and Early Appropriations. - (1) Amounts appropriated under this section remain available until expended. (2) Amounts for capital acquisitions and improvements may be appropriated in a fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the amounts will be obligated. (f) Limitations on Use. - Amounts appropriated under this section may not be used to subsidize operating losses of commuter rail passenger or rail freight transportation. -SOURCE- (Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 902; Pub. L. 105-134, title III, Sec. 301(a), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2585.) -MISC1- HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) Section -------------------------------------------------------------------- 24104(a) 45:601(a). Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-518, Sec. 601, 84 Stat. 1338; June 22, 1972, Pub. L. 92-316, Sec. 9, 86 Stat. 231; Nov. 3, 1973, Pub. L. 93-146, Sec. 12, 87 Stat. 553; Oct. 28, 1974, Pub. L. 93-496, Sec. 8, 88 Stat. 1530; May 26, 1975, Pub. L. 94-25, Sec. 10, 89 Stat. 92; Oct. 19, 1976, Pub. L. 94-555, Sec. 102(a), (b), 90 Stat. 2613; Oct. 5, 1978, Pub. L. 95-421, Secs. 2(a), (b)(1), 3, 92 Stat. 923; Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96-73, Sec. 122(a), (b)(1), 93 Stat. 550; May 30, 1980, Pub. L. 96-254, Secs. 208, 211, 94 Stat. 414, 415; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97-35, Secs. 1138, 1139(a), 1185, 95 Stat. 652, 697; Jan. 14, 1983, Pub. L. 97-468, Sec. 302(c), 96 Stat. 2550; Apr. 7, 1986, Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 4002, 100 Stat. 106; July 6, 1990, Pub. L. 101-322, Sec. 2, 104 Stat. 295; restated Oct. 27, 1992, Pub. L. 102-533, Sec. 7(a), 106 Stat. 3517. 24104(b) 45:601(b). 24104(c) 45:601(c). 24104(d) 45:601(d) (3d, last sentences), (e). 24104(e)(1) 45:601(d) (2d sentence). 24104(e)(2) 45:601(d) (1st sentence). 24104(f) 45:854(b)(1) Feb. 5, 1976, Pub. L. (related to 45:601). 94-210, Sec. 704(b)(1) (related to Sec. 601), 90 Stat. 123; Jan. 14, 1983, Pub. L. 97-468, Sec. 301(4)(A), 96 Stat. 2549. -------------------------------------------------------------------- In subsection (a)(2), before clause (A), the words "In addition to amounts that may be appropriated under section 24909 of this title" are added for clarity. In subsection (a)(3)(B) and (C), the words "or States" are omitted because of 1:1. Before each clause (i), the words "Except as provided in clause (ii)" are omitted as surplus. In subsection (d), before clause (1), the words "by the Secretary" and "for expenditure by it" are omitted as surplus. In subsection (e)(2), the words "Funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be made available to the Secretary during the fiscal year for which appropriated" are omitted as surplus. -REFTEXT- REFERENCES IN TEXT The enactment of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105-134, which was approved Dec. 2, 1997. Section 3221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified to section 3221 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Section 24704 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by Pub. L. 105-134, title I, Sec. 105(a), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2573. -MISC2- AMENDMENTS 1997 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-134 amended heading and text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to capital acquisition and corridor development. LIMITATION ON USE OF TAX REFUND Pub. L. 105-134, title II, Sec. 209, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2584, provided that: "(a) In General. - Amtrak may not use any amount received under section 977 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 [Pub. L. 105-34, 26 U.S.C. 172 note] - "(1) for any purpose other than making payments to non-Amtrak States (pursuant to section 977(c) of that Act), or the financing of qualified expenses (as that term is defined in section 977(e)(1) of that Act); or "(2) to offset other amounts used for any purpose other than the financing of such expenses. "(b) Report by ARC. - The Amtrak Reform Council shall report quarterly to the Congress on the use of amounts received by Amtrak under section 977 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997." REFORM BOARD Pub. L. 105-134, title IV, Sec. 411(b), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2589, provided that: "If the Reform Board has not assumed the responsibilities of the Board of Directors of Amtrak before July 1, 1998, all provisions authorizing appropriations under the amendments made by section 301(a) of this Act [amending this section] for a fiscal year after fiscal year 1998 shall cease to be effective. The preceding sentence shall have no effect on funds provided to Amtrak pursuant to section 977 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 [Pub. L. 105-34, 26 U.S.C. 172 note]." -FOOTNOTE- (!1) See References in Text note below. -End- -CITE- 49 USC Sec. 24105 01/03/2012 (112-90) -EXPCITE- TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS PART C - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 241 - GENERAL -HEAD- Sec. 24105. Congestion grants -STATUTE- (a) Authority. - The Secretary of Transportation may make grants to States, or to Amtrak in cooperation with States, for financing the capital costs of facilities, infrastructure, and equipment for high priority rail corridor projects necessary to reduce congestion or facilitate ridership growth in intercity rail passenger transportation. (b) Eligible Projects. - Projects eligible for grants under this section include projects - (1) identified by Amtrak as necessary to reduce congestion or facilitate ridership growth in intercity rail passenger transportation along heavily traveled rail corridors; (2) identified by the Surface Transportation Board as necessary to improve the on time (!1) performance and reliability of intercity rail passenger transportation under section 24308(f); and (3) designated by the Secretary as being sufficiently advanced in development to be capable of serving the purposes described in subsection (a) on an expedited schedule. (c) Federal Share. - The Federal share of the cost of a project financed under this section shall not exceed 80 percent. (d) Grant Conditions. - The Secretary of Transportation shall require each recipient of a grant under this section to comply with the grant requirements of section 24405 of this title. (e) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated, from amounts made available under section 301 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, to the Secretary to carry out this section - (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; (3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and (4) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. -SOURCE- (Added Pub. L. 110-432, div. B, title III, Sec. 302(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4947.) -REFTEXT- REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 301 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e), is section 301 of Pub. L. 110- 432, which enacted chapter 244 (Sec. 24401 et seq.) of this title and enacted provisions set out as a note under section 24405 of this title. -FOOTNOTE- (!1) So in original. Probably should be "on-time". -End-