113 S2478 IS: Short Line Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2014 U.S. Senate 2014-06-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II 113th CONGRESS2d Session S. 2478 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 17, 2014 Ms. Collins (for herself and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to partner with industry to strengthen the safety culture and safety practices of short line and regional freight railroads.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Short Line Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2014.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings:(1)The use of new oil recovery techniques, particularly in regions without a sufficient number of developed pipeline networks, has led to rapid growth in the transportation of crude oil by rail.(2)Recent accidents in North America involving trains carrying crude oil, such as the July 2013 tragedy in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, have brought the need for enhanced safety into focus.(3)Short line and regional railroads have workforces and resources that are much smaller than large Class I railroads, but these railroads are expected to handle the same commodities safely.(4)Cooperative safety reviews, assessments, and training approaches can enhance safety by fostering an enhanced safety culture. Cooperation between industry and the Federal Railroad Administration’s Research and Development Program would enhance rail safety with respect to the transportation of crude oil by rail and in all other areas of rail transportation.

3.

Short line and regional railroad safety grants

Section 20108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:(d)

Short line and regional railroad safety training initiative

(1)

Grants authorized

The Secretary may award grants to private or nonprofit organizations involved in, or affiliated with, transportation by Class II and Class III railroads.(2)

Use of funds

Grant funds awarded under this subsection shall be used for research, development, evaluation, and training efforts that are designed to enhance rail safety practices and safety culture.(3)

Authorization of appropriations

(A)

Fiscal year 2015

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 for grants under this subsection.(B)

Fiscal years 2016 through 2019

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019 for grants under this subsection.(C)

Availability

Amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph shall remain available until expended..