115 S1451 IS: Railroad Advancement of Innovation and Leadership with Safety Act
U.S. Senate
2017-06-28
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.
1.Short title; table of contents; references
(a)
This Act may be cited as the Railroad Advancement of Innovation and Leadership with Safety Act
or the RAILS Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I—Process improvements Sec. 111. Data transparency and quality. Sec. 112. Performance-based regulations. Sec. 113. Public participation. Sec. 114. Innovative approaches to improve safety. Sec. 115. Guidance. Sec. 116. Regulatory impact analyses. Sec. 117. Periodic review of Federal Railroad Administration actions. Sec. 118. Framework for reviewing future regulations. Sec. 119. Application. Sec. 120. Effective dates. TITLE II—Miscellaneous provisions Subtitle A—Reorganization of subtitle V Sec. 211. Rail improvement grants. Sec. 212. Project delivery. Subtitle B—Miscellaneous Sec. 221. Rulemaking process. Sec. 222. Training. Sec. 223. Assessments. Sec. 224. Miscellaneous authority. Sec. 225. Applicability to States. Sec. 226. Electronic communications and record keeping. (c)References to title 49, United States CodeExcept as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code.
2.
(a)In this Act: (1)The term reportable means required under part 225 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, to be reported to the Federal Railroad Administration.
(2)The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (b)Amendments to chapter 201Section 20102 is amended—
(1)by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; (2)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
(2)guidance document means an agency statement of general applicability and future effect, other than a regulation, that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue or an interpretation of a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue.; and
(3)by adding at the end the following: (7)significant rule means any final rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget determines is likely to—
(A)have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities;
(B)create a significant inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another Federal agency;
(C)materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or
(D)raise novel legal or policy issues.
(8)supporting information includes data, studies, formulas, models, and scientific, technical, and economic findings..
<enum>I</enum><header>Process improvements</header>
<section id="idA8A7B959FFBD45558303FAF1063D0D2A"><enum>111.</enum><header>Data transparency and quality</header>
<subsection id="id5AD78BA3665144CBAB9C88B1A5280C47"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of chapter 201 is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id84383D0C63A34442850670FC4308BC89" style="USC"> <section id="idA66760415F074C45839D5BA09DF592C7"><enum>20122.</enum><header>Data transparency and quality</header> <subsection id="id48BEFF0D9BBE44CFB671EDCEF777DFB9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Data transparency</header> <paragraph id="idE757F92A50B8495C9CD9DFB7359384C1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Open government</header><text>Not later than the date on which any proposed rule is published under this subtitle, the Secretary of Transportation shall place, in the appropriate docket, all supporting information used by the Department of Transportation in relation to such proposed rule and any associated analyses.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id832E5AAF23FC4E529808E9F66CA7815A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Accessibility</header><text>The supporting information and analyses described in paragraph (1) shall be published on a public website and accessible electronically.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id786E0C1C61FE4C6B9CCED1AAFB8B0AD9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed to require the release of security-sensitive information or confidential business information.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE4B0838F700B45E3A37E057688543B6D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Data quality</header>
<paragraph id="id1E6900602DB44A6EAC15894768DB4675"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Minimum standard</header><text>The Secretary shall base each determination whether to propose or adopt a rule under this subtitle on the best reasonably obtainable supporting information, and any associated analysis, concerning—</text>
<subparagraph id="id355C5EBEA78B4D5ABA6867EA8AF38E4D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the need to be addressed;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2C1BE844B4CE47CF9BB89DF547B126D6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>how the rule addresses the need; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id92167E9CC42840709E3554DFBC30A46D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the effects, including the benefits and costs, of the rule.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idCF181666A8D74D9AAA2DEB8FE6C03066"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Sound science</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the best reasonably obtainable supporting information shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0F2E5AF62E49404AAB9C02727DCE10FB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>up-to-date and relevant data;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB26EE7E623E24B2089B08C5E1C2351F0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>appropriately validated models and formulas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF68558898336484EB776D2978EE3A874"><enum>(C)</enum><text>independent, peer-reviewed—</text> <clause id="idB09FB3C74AB447C79E0EC0D61C50A761"><enum>(i)</enum><text>studies, including, where appropriate, statistically significant findings; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id61412BB7B0714CC3A8B3574EB75DE1AC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>scientific, technical, and economic findings, including, where appropriate, statistically significant findings; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDC2C4FCA73B94CC099FCA253CF2E7B67"><enum>(D)</enum><text>evidence that accurately and completely reflects the need for or effects of the rule, as applicable.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id35ED68C98036494888B00F77DBF9E758"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize the Secretary to propose or adopt a regulation based on less stringent information standards than required under other law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idD563CB37136D47F3A9EF2082DD9C274C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20121 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id783024C622764AF4A1DE74B7D9635ED6" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20122. Data transparency and quality.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="idF815E42691884C108EDC28FC44DE38B4"><enum>112.</enum><header>Performance-based regulations</header>
<subsection id="idB6DE12D73E524277A6C9D96EAE92E10B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 111, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0A9900E974634D9C87CE758D8BA373CC" style="USC">
<section id="id0F42E30489A54CC9A2E6DE1E2DD979CE"><enum>20123.</enum><header>Performance-based regulations</header>
<subsection id="idE804FFC8B7DF4225BE44E03487E77DF2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Before proposing or adopting a rule under this subtitle, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider an approach to the rule that specifies performance objectives rather than identifies or requires the specific manner of compliance that a regulated entity must adopt.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id89E80B049D604753A955B153EBF62B46"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Explanation</header><text>If the Secretary selects a prescriptive or nonperformance-based approach to the rule, the Secretary shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="id0A130385E603418E9E47B210BF6E69DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the summary section of the preamble a statement that the selected approach is prescriptive or nonperformance-based; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id344B9A45567945EE9C2163AD0A97EC4E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a justification, with supporting information, for the prescriptive or nonperformance-based approach, as applicable.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id2361F1D978F741A693FBEDEAF5522E24"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20122 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id83C465A154904A1894EF95254E7CB9FC" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20123. Performance-based regulations.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id40D0639F659D473A9398238E8DA47E10"><enum>113.</enum><header>Public participation</header>
<subsection id="idE785C38EC2F14635BE1FBC78D5F449E1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 112, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id683D63E8766A4074A522027B8418FBA3" style="USC">
<section id="idCDFE2DC91C3F443A86F2A8691EC1F570"><enum>20124.</enum><header>Public participation</header>
<subsection id="idc04b4c73d59c428cbc90c4395e143ec7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of Transportation, before issuing a proposed rule under this part, shall publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in accordance with subsection (c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id98FA76DDA4FE4B4C81D484F9C13D1583"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>This section shall not apply if—</text> <paragraph id="id73F7DACA26CA4D1E94D2374FAC70E129"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the proposed rule is not likely to result in a significant rule; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFE55BF85BAF842B8B3EB78546327FFE8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Secretary—</text> <subparagraph id="idA92B4D935C8A47FD8F321710CA8236CB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>upon inspection, investigation, testing, or research, determines that a violation of a provision of this part, including a regulation prescribed under this part, or an unsafe condition or practice constitutes or is causing an imminent hazard of death or injury to individuals;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8E0529D924304B46A4846C621000A956"><enum>(B)</enum><text>determines that the proposed rule has the consensus, in accordance with the established rules governing the Rail Safety Advisory Committee, of the Rail Safety Advisory Committee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDEACBB5066BF47BAA98690CE93D9689F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>determines the use of a negotiated rulemaking is in the public interest and conducts a negotiated rulemaking under subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/5">chapter 5</external-xref> of title 5 to negotiate and develop the proposed rule;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCE4A5137637348DF8D7395D715AEFB4C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>determines it is necessary to waive this section in order to implement section 20157;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE6DAB01C312F49629680925D35697BEA"><enum>(E)</enum><text>is incorporating the terms of a regulatory improvement waiver under section 20125(h); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE655773EA8F44068A186BD4CC2C9A05B"><enum>(F)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7E06C77AD27D4D378A0865291456B5C6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is not required by law to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking before issuing a final rule; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA31E5D81597B46C19E4AC9DCFBEDE99C" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>does not voluntarily publish such notice of proposed rulemaking.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id69175e0af17d41a799f2f4f59c26d60f"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Advance notice of proposed rulemaking</header>
<paragraph id="idCABA7019818E4F53BFFA7CAD4E94EA0F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An advance notice of proposed rulemaking published under subsection (a) shall—</text> <subparagraph id="id6a1167376b8646fb8e458796bf7746fb"><enum>(A)</enum><text>describe the need to be addressed, including—</text>
<clause id="id5844b0e0a3a645cfbd67ccb9e63e17d1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the supporting information demonstrating the need;</text> </clause><clause id="id6d5dae07eab04ad3b8d13e6d1ddb79d9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the failures of private markets that warrant new agency action, if applicable; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id57be7d56b85f446c9ae38f4735330242"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>whether existing law, including regulations, has created or contributed to the need;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id15a565906e664c1aa6244cff6848b4f1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify the legal authority under which the rule may be proposed, including—</text> <clause id="id018feb170b2c4423bea75893672e6568"><enum>(i)</enum><text>whether a rulemaking is specifically directed by statute; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id0d3c9e9c01214243baaab3cebcbbd640"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>each statutory deadline for regulatory action, if applicable;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbddaaa97d4bd45e1bff882767afddaa3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>describe, in general terms, any available regulatory alternatives, including—</text>
<clause id="id651B35CD4EA44DF38EC5FF8644B9C4CC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>if rulemaking is not specifically directed by statute, the alternative of not regulating;</text> </clause><clause id="id36E31A251F934AF5943FB0EEE5DB164A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any alternatives that specify performance objectives rather than identify or require the specific manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt;</text>
</clause><clause id="idDE39C7AE0E6D4547A668EEEE2BFC9535"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any alternatives that involve the deployment of innovative technology or practices; and</text> </clause><clause id="idE41CF8AB14C74DD389AC45075DBFEEBB"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any alternatives that involve different requirements for different types or sizes of businesses, if applicable;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7f1ff2617c65445c8da527cbce09be8a"><enum>(D)</enum><text>describe how the proposed rule addresses the need described in subparagraph (A);</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA38A7A0B36284D668DEDA71FE6AD026D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>identify at least one achievable objective for the proposed rule, and the metrics by which the Secretary expects to measure progress toward that objective; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id904e4872087844daa8f656914f2787f1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>solicit public comment, for at least 60 days, on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, including specific solicitation for comment on—</text>
<clause id="idD900EF5FFFD7486AA6084F9F44EE7AC5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any supporting information that informs the need for or effects of the available regulatory alternatives;</text>
</clause><clause id="idC6071EC291E3451BA075423200C41975"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>whether any law identified in subparagraph (A)(iii) should be modified to achieve the intended goal of the proposed rule more effectively or efficiently;</text>
</clause><clause id="id58BDF4A904DA44BB8B8E087DCF6A3239"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any available alternatives that specify performance objectives rather than identify or require the specific manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt;</text>
</clause><clause id="id133C03D001D14C458961A53EDC6B821E"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any available alternatives that involve the deployment of innovative technology or practices;</text> </clause><clause id="idD6A6EB14335C4FE5A123CDC2F24F7200"><enum>(v)</enum><text>any alternatives that involve different requirements for different types or sizes of businesses, if applicable; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id1C639ACFE3CA49A6B236F24B0412907E"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>any available alternatives to direct regulation, including providing economic incentives to encourage the desired behavior or providing information upon which choices can be made by the public.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc2cb608a189143d9ba36121b08a571f0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regulatory determination</header>
<text>After considering the information described in paragraph (1), including comments under paragraph (1)(F), and except where otherwise required by statute, the Secretary may issue a notice of proposed rulemaking only upon a reasoned determination that—</text>
<subparagraph id="id84BB48F7FA294AB29BA271D3D6F17ACE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a need exists;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD1D864E36D794329A20BBDFE5981C5D2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the proposed rule addresses that need; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4A9A89F2EC784F748F49A16D472B8C7F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the benefits of the proposed rule justify its costs.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id868CF5890C9F4E3CA080575893ED9D5A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Rules of construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this section may be construed to limit—</text> <paragraph id="id336E00D81D884D3EAAC7F7A8C596D9C9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>any requirement under other law to analyze the impacts of a proposed rule; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6D3C3D012F994DBC80784FDEDFD7C156"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the use of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in any regulatory action that is not likely to result in a significant rule.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id198789F513A9467CA4E4471AB4471407"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 112, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20123 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEF744AF58B7240A49841DEF0454E51DC" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20124. Public participation.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="idE91E368B7C3345BFADAF88C2E1C679DA"><enum>114.</enum><header>Innovative approaches to improve safety</header>
<subsection id="id7F3B1117031B44388E448FC4E444CB8C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 113, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6779B6C99BEA4742AE9562AECBF5E40B" style="USC">
<section id="id4894B7C3A4AF45698889C6A81CB6B593"><enum>20125.</enum><header>Innovative approaches to improve safety</header>
<subsection id="idC1D3881F201A42BDB2DB91F007DE0F74"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>The purposes of this section are—</text> <paragraph id="idC449717062724FB0A42E2BD891644175"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish a regulatory improvement waiver to facilitate innovative approaches to safety; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF667C75477914E18A1B89A407CB953FF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to expedite consideration of regulatory changes based on the results of the waiver.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC4528C4612504E7E80C53D3CDA0A82F8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulatory improvement waivers</header>
<text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, except subsection (i) and section 20130, the Secretary of Transportation may waive compliance with any part of a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subtitle if the waiver—</text>
<paragraph id="idEBA22B780CDF49FC9CE387B3BF82E140"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is in the public interest;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6BA2275506334BCC80F5BD798286786B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>requires the recipient to adopt an alternative technology, practice, or system that could achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the waiver; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD2E81B9296F24363BBAF968691DA1AC3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>includes an evaluation framework described in subsection (c) that has been approved by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3DA9416B876D45CDBF75163A90677DE2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Evaluation framework</header><text>An evaluation framework described in this subsection shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="id34F4FC829BFE45098AA908BAB3EF0444"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a clear statement of the objective of the waiver;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9976CFAD87E5457CA582B04E288A9F02"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a plan for assessing the effects of the waiver, including metrics to best gauge the effects on safety; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAE79303521634F84977F0C291BCA4B63"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a plan for gathering the data generated by the assessment described in paragraph (2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id92A73C4862F947E29E9A3CAD7DF79BDB"><enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Petitions</header>
<paragraph id="id13DFBE467C9845BAA6B3E6833B9B0E69"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a petition for approval of a waiver under this section, the Secretary shall notify the petitioner in writing whether the petition—</text>
<subparagraph id="idA26E5BBB893245C9A9DD216C1FC7333D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is complete or incomplete, including, if incomplete, each reason the petition is incomplete; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBB5110D0193E47E39619F03B97DAC5F8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is unusually complex or not unusually complex.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idEBFB3232EA7649DEAD687AF6B6C719E2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Corrections</header><text>The Secretary shall provide each petitioner with a reasonable opportunity—</text> <subparagraph id="idE3BB83EA7188491CBA6F067B6FEB2D81"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id24A11E88DD03459E97AED8DAD0226699"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to address each reason that the petition is incomplete; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id932F3DA77B59453DADD9A276D6701F52" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to explain why the petition is not unusually complex; and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7061BD85D3D846E2B9DEB91A0E680216"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to resubmit the petition.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id473F47756C0F42FAB0552B0346FFF134"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Approval or denial of petitions</header>
<paragraph id="id6C0220262FDC4A7AAD4CEC66EBC333FD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which a petition is complete under subsection (d)(1) (or 270 days after such date for an unusually complex petition), the Secretary shall notify the petitioner in writing that the petition was approved or denied, including, if denied—</text>
<subparagraph id="id003021D06D674FAA8A1FA3D0EB1685C4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a justification for the denial; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3701BE7713904070B7562117F1396A4F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of each deficiency, including, if applicable, any deficiency in the proposed evaluation framework.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id557FA14352E54CE2AE3842420AAE5152"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deficiencies</header><text>The Secretary shall provide each petitioner with a reasonable opportunity—</text> <subparagraph id="idA95059997A084A0E953D20E20A4B76C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to correct each deficiency identified under paragraph (1)(B); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC3FB67822DB147EEA855FC5C34F97CB1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to resubmit a corrected petition for reconsideration.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id18CC531AB0624C41A70F3DE3C721F6EF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Approval period</header>
<subparagraph id="id0D2B1CB4AEED4FC69CE64EF5FE974E5D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>If the Secretary does not notify the petitioner in writing before the applicable deadline under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress, until the date of such notification, a monthly report on the status of the petition, including—</text>
<clause id="id32C0FF7712674944832DCB8F75D2EDA7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the reason the deadline was not met;</text>
</clause><clause id="id05079F2F3C884F2DBEEAE1310A19C56F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a staffing plan to prioritize and expedite a decision on the petition; and</text> </clause><clause id="id3AB47269598943D3A024182C9DD8E6C5"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an estimate of when the Secretary will notify the petitioner.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id303960C63D3A4A86A286874454807F96"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Period</header><text>A waiver under this section may be issued for a period of not more than 5 years.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id14BC954F331A44388B17C6E62FF9A790"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Renewal</header><text>A waiver shall be renewed for the same period as the initial waiver unless the Secretary—</text>
<clause id="idFE7D42F1191B46A7A02DE2F6892AFDE5"><enum>(i)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id313838A2C9BB4BAF80C1354B57EF0270"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determines that the alternative technology, practice, or system does not achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the waiver; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id7278ED0AF40C4589A80E14FEC25FFEB2" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>not later than 90 days before the expiration of the initial waiver, notifies the recipient of the waiver, in writing, that the waiver will not be renewed;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idF4C313951151431D8C21E4197840BFCC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>incorporates the relevant terms of the waiver as an alternative compliance approach under subsection (h); or</text>
</clause><clause id="idC4F8341090F64C788A34E83F8668FAE7"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>revokes the waiver for noncompliance with the terms of the waiver.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB6C00C403309441581CB625944088F55"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Evaluation framework results</header><text>The Secretary may request the results of the evaluation framework under subsection (c) and such other information related to the waiver as the Secretary considers necessary to make a determination under subparagraph (C)(i).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF396F727276B467B87456C1295B48378"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Public participation</header><text>Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary shall maintain similar opportunities and procedures for public notice, hearing, and comment as under the standard waiver procedure authorized under section 20103.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ide39135a8affc4ad7ae0c93f79af6f911"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Public availability</header>
<paragraph id="idCECA1C286E0E4B70A57729D2EDA4DA5A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>List</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain, on a public website, a list of each complete petition for a waiver under this section, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="idA29BD876B3FC42C08F0EE4CC005A34F3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date on which a petition is complete under subsection (d)(1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id715906F59E904A57A218A692C4F77787"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a link to the complete petition;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id247EE5A8DE0A4D33AEC8F5839459CDE9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>whether the petition was approved or denied;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id96EB4CE9939447E9957E8D2CBD70324B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the date of such approval or denial;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3403808A654540218F1C912E5303A422"><enum>(E)</enum><text>if the petition was denied, a link to the justification for the denial and the description of each deficiency; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9FD2FF9620B94FBA917A37A013E65D89"><enum>(F)</enum><text>if the petition was approved, a link to the approved waiver, including the evaluation framework.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5CBEE8C4E7A842C6B62CE80A51B03175"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Updates</header><text>The list described in paragraph (1) shall be updated—</text>
<subparagraph id="idA47C3AF1F5B948E4B7ACF5DF0F2A6363"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not later than 10 days after the date on which a petition is complete under subsection (d)(1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFF753AE163AE465393134DFF35860CEE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not later than 10 days after the date on which the Secretary notifies a petitioner that a petition was approved or denied under subsection (e)(1).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1441538400b9430daff49f07ae506fee"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Incorporation into regulation</header>
<paragraph id="id7D609FB1E6E14206989B6983775E37E0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Upon written request by a recipient of a waiver, the Secretary shall revise the applicable regulation to incorporate the relevant terms of the waiver as an alternative compliance approach, to the maximum extent practicable, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="id3AA8266095FA40E4B2E06E62BE92B803"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the waiver has been in effect for not less than 1 year, including any renewal of such waiver; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id026E23676BCD4B878E82EE40DDD6EAA2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>using the evaluation framework under subsection (c) to assess the effects of the waiver, including the metrics to best gauge the effects on safety, there is sufficient data and other information to support that the alternative technology, practice, or system under the waiver achieves a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety under the applicable regulation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idd19f5c8f65994472a56d85871a852396"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Alternative compliance approaches</header><text>As part of the revised regulation described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may allow a person, at the person’s discretion, to comply with—</text>
<subparagraph id="id9473EFACB93041379183AF2E1C98214D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the regulation as in effect on the day before the date of the revision under paragraph (1); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8D82C301D69B4E7F8C7EE9EA4CAB2E01"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the alternative compliance approach demonstrated by the waiver.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE9D0BB94EA844497BC6881269842561E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Timing</header> <subparagraph id="id3D0E3ECE614B4867B2F7101FAD54E5D8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Notifications</header><text>Not later than 60 days after receiving a request under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide written notification to the petitioner that describes whether the relevant terms of the waiver will be incorporated into regulation as an alternative compliance approach.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id092C0458BE724FCE9563D5BA53909763"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Notice of proposed rulemaking</header><text>If the relevant terms of the waiver will be incorporated into regulation as an alternative compliance approach, not later than 270 days after the date of the written notification under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking that incorporates the waiver with the least burdensome terms necessary to ensure flexibility among various operations while meeting the regulatory safety objective.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE0B9B00F92674AD38392F9D6F667685C"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Final rule</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date the notice of proposed rulemaking is issued under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall issue the final rule under this subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA3AF03E58DDA43379449B7AF56941B4E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Nonapplicability</header><text>This section does not apply to any petition that, if approved, would result in a reduction in the number of route miles that are required under section 20157 to have operations governed by a positive train control system.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id657D5D9222AD4755AA50DD0AD29C92B3"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Rules of construction</header>
<paragraph id="id11FD162D73A947A8810045B3B199936A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed—</text> <subparagraph id="id16E99BD898874A52A404A979BBF1217E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to limit the authority of the Secretary—</text>
<clause id="id346A7C8D1EA14D398D31A38BFCDF665F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to grant a waiver under other law, including the authority to grant any waiver that is not a regulatory improvement waiver; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id84810FAA811D41BF8DE2D3757A001EDE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to promulgate, rescind, or revise such regulations as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Secretary under this subtitle;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9FF4A2D0BB984735BB9AA9F821CB94D4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to prohibit a person from requesting a waiver under other law, including any waiver that is not a regulatory improvement waiver; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id11F24AE2BBBC4B37812CB8CE1A517BA7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to require the release of security-sensitive, proprietary, or confidential business information.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idA690E9EAB0BE4AC082F40E2E4273CF00"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Net benefits</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to rescind or revise such regulations under this subtitle based on the results of the evaluation framework under subsection (c), or other supporting information derived from the waiver, demonstrating that the benefits of rescinding or revising such regulations would justify the costs.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id6B3B6B3FB4EB4D7AB937CF9685AB1356"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 113, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20124 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBF967977F1A84FB6A0D11485B0F2B0E4" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20125. Innovative approaches to improve safety.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id7FC1284823384423A8BFD792CEE91C92"><enum>115.</enum><header>Guidance</header>
<subsection id="id4E8A3F02FDD14171A9C81857BC11C126"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 114, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0726CFA7C624483CBAC532A3855B75DB" style="USC">
<section id="id292DBF72DA6045F384BFC9FD13E1884F"><enum>20126.</enum><header>Guidance</header>
<subsection id="id2e9b175c2380442d96b42f2c18c4f395"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Transportation may not issue a guidance document under this subtitle—</text>
<paragraph id="id213b307390a2446eacc6fa7ae3caf329"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish a standard, right, or obligation that is new or inconsistent with a regulation addressing the same or a directly related issue;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idd644c962c1d348a0b3b7baacd3d4c4a3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>as legal grounds for agency action; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idED5FC72910A94FFA9C4606BA32738859"><enum>(3)</enum><text>that will, as a practicable matter, operate with the force of law or have any other coercive effect.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7f5e3291bc9946e1826164f07f5f704b"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public participation</header>
<paragraph id="id858154d0b32a42ba9e5a63107111acbd"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requests</header><text>The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for an interested person to submit a request for a guidance document—</text>
<subparagraph id="id727b57d3b6c3429dbff2eed824451fb2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to be issued, revised, or rescinded;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEC373812537D47E7B70D6CFE175A5EC5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>incorporated into regulation; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id189fe31841324248bc69f0e8645fc7e5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if applicable, to be added to the list maintained under subsection (d).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida54215b503124f6fa8eb442ed7370e57"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Responses</header><text>Not later than 90 days after receiving a request under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide a written response to the interested person that includes—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0E6B4D7EE5D548DABA52958BB9F423D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>whether the Secretary plans for a guidance document to be issued, revised, rescinded, incorporated into regulation, or added to the list under subsection (d); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0A2B0A50DE7541F8826F370D14EF21FB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a justification for such planned action or inaction.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2741E408AEE7434CBA51D556822AC548"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Legal statement</header><text>Each guidance document issued under this subtitle shall include a statement, in a plain, prominent, and permanent manner, that it is not legally binding.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id005d9601a303490c9f88f69073d3ef20"><enum>(d)</enum><header>List of guidance documents</header>
<paragraph id="id280d8337b0bf4df9b16b0ba8aff1a9ed"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish and maintain, on a public website, a list of all guidance documents issued under this subtitle that are in effect.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF428C39816B8492EBEFB38D063ACD4C2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The Secretary shall include, for each guidance document on the list—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4de4493e0f9b4261bff83bc116d27251"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a document identification number;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id947efe6d42a949f7946f9b693a82c881"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the title;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb4a45806f801496996b9f3f5e4ec8682"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the date of issuance;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb9d2e93ac70445f79973395f585490d5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the date it was last revised, if applicable;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd7d5256d127e44af941ac41c02939bae"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a brief summary;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide9ee8e15e1194ceb9679a6028fc34e94"><enum>(F)</enum><text>a link to the guidance document;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id29ea61fdd0714f889fc5f101299ee842"><enum>(G)</enum><text>a note if it is a revision or replacement to a previously issued guidance document and, if so, identify the document that it revises or replaces and the date of its original issuance;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id82ff4fd384ce4a3db75a48be19a7b182"><enum>(H)</enum><text>the citation to the statutory provision or regulation (in Code of Federal Regulations format) which it applies to or interprets;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id302fe0914c5540148e2201444cdffb11"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the name and contact information for an official who can respond to relevant questions; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5319000617364632bb211f6ef98def84"><enum>(J)</enum><text>a description of the person or group of persons to whom the guidance document applies.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idFBE29579ED7B42A8A22A1954508CDC15"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Updates</header><text>The Secretary shall update the list whenever a guidance document is issued, revised, or rescinded, not later than 10 days after such date of issuance, revision, or rescission, as applicable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id78371D88A6294DB5A967C3D864E9CD64"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="idB24DF7180F75444E94281F225AFFD5A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than December 31, 2018, publicize on the Department of Transportation website the procedure for making a request under subsection (b)(1); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id310F06978DFE4A04AA2C6BA4DBA42F09"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not later than December 31, 2018, make the list under subsection (d) publicly available and accessible on the Department of Transportation website.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD93BA51D12044602B1E16617EEF864C0"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rules of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed—</text> <paragraph id="idFE122BB4A66B4C97BFAFEAAFBFEA18AC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to require the release of security-sensitive, proprietary, or confidential business information; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9E66334E55DE4331912540D8080E6033"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to affect any request for the issuance, revision, revocation, or incorporation into regulation of any guidance under this subtitle made before December 31, 2018.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idA5AD4306DD27446BA4AA8B0C7CC2AB0A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 114, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20125 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08CE48E198554469A1F64045D5F930B6" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20126. Guidance.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id8EA596BEDEE142EC8025223AF5E5E306"><enum>116.</enum><header>Regulatory impact analyses</header>
<subsection id="idE6DBA7E130EE41ADA77BD211B730EF95"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 115, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBF92C3598CC04FC79189941D8AE31859" style="USC">
<section id="id33E93F6150B842E3BF327CD5928DA684"><enum>20127.</enum><header>Regulatory impact analyses</header>
<subsection id="id8c49e8781f334acb83d04ac1d98c65c1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Before issuing any proposed rule or final rule under this subtitle, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a regulatory impact analysis to evaluate the proposed rule or final rule, as applicable.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idc76bee6aa8ea48cb9b897988cec6399a"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulatory impact analyses</header><text>An analysis under subsection (a) shall—</text> <paragraph id="id0fd42c6816cb4b108c6846f21798fa36"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be based upon the best reasonably obtainable supporting information, consistent with section 20122;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE1E324D31F334EECAB8A2CB91966E4D9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>describe the need to be addressed and how the rule addresses that need;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF3BCCE1246B04550B355274F9A0164B9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>analyze effects, including the benefits and costs, of the rule;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1bfc4fea4544466ca0d1fdf12d374583"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable, consider the cumulative regulatory burden on the regulated entity under subsection (d);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC7A4917BCB554F7CB057998D4F15DFC6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>consider the effects on different types and sizes of businesses, if applicable;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC36C3499E7DD43C88CA9B8F2AD13F399"><enum>(6)</enum><text>for a proposed rule that is likely to lead to a significant rule, or a final rule that is a significant rule—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4312ABB6D52B49A3A81C84C81030005C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>describe the need to be addressed, including—</text>
<clause id="id49B7E43292DB4F93876D7976CCCCA0F9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the supporting information demonstrating the need;</text> </clause><clause id="id127C5BF6D6A94673A40DD41FE889B932"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the failures of private markets that warrant new agency action, if applicable; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id17184FDB7A324B8E8E0F1C2C9A9A7E50"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>whether existing law, including regulations, has created or contributed to the need;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5AA9FE3242EF4C368CEDBA3A591E6A8B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>define the baseline for the analysis;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2BD30365602948F7AACA8FCA888AFF9B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>set the timeframe of the analysis;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id006A3C29367D4559BBEF3E1CCDC6D61D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>analyze any available regulatory alternatives, including—</text> <clause id="id8DF2EB1877D140F283C02AF634BF1713"><enum>(i)</enum><text>if rulemaking is not specifically directed by statute, the alternative of not regulating;</text>
</clause><clause id="id3EB8568D3CAD4A0C8B40036DDB3D7693"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any alternatives that specify performance objectives rather than identify or require the specific manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt;</text>
</clause><clause id="id59F522A8FC8F416994B8B670A18AA7D6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any alternatives that involve the deployment of innovative technology or practices; and</text> </clause><clause id="idE2DE8C212E4F47A2B4300FA7D1A3BE8F"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any alternatives that involve different requirements for different types or sizes of businesses, if applicable;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDCF3CF53CBA24343BE42934E55A67430"><enum>(E)</enum><text>identify the effects of the available regulatory alternatives described in subparagraph (D);</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1906D84DD02C4532BE43918707F29E4B"><enum>(F)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable, quantify and monetize the benefits and costs of the selected regulatory alternative and the available alternatives under consideration;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA6C9CD1AD0C1455A8B377A6D9A7D7303"><enum>(G)</enum><text>discount future benefits and costs quantified and monetized under subparagraph (F);</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4134812C9C86440987F2A46502157BBF"><enum>(H)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable, evaluate non-quantified and non-monetized benefits and costs of the selected regulatory alternative and the available alternatives under consideration; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6A811274CCFC43CEB1E3175DB9BF0B05"><enum>(I)</enum><text>characterize any uncertainty in benefits, costs, and net benefits.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id715D787F7CEE4F0AB4C858687046E618"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Less burdensome alternatives</header><text>If after conducting an analysis under subsection (a) for a proposed rule that is likely to lead to a significant rule, or a final rule that is a significant rule, the Secretary selects a regulatory approach that is not the least burdensome compared to an available regulatory alternative, the Secretary shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="idA0ACC887C3CE406EA4BA1F1F36D09657"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the summary section of the preamble a statement that the selected approach is more burdensome than an available regulatory alternative; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id349FD849578A4E3182F483424F7C1BA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a justification, with supporting information, for the selected approach.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7a6aff018c5b43e7a8442320231488d3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cumulative regulatory burden</header><text>In considering the cumulative regulatory burden under subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id2841A9930D644A9F8A1C860B3143123E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify other regulations that attempt to achieve similar regulatory objectives;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id496CB5E6BA14429C85A54FD10AF54FE6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>evaluate whether the rule is inconsistent, incompatible, or duplicative with other regulations issued by the Secretary; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ideae3ee7ad3b24eae887779ae4a03d4af"><enum>(3)</enum><text>consider whether the estimated benefits and costs of the rule increase or decrease as a result of other regulations, issued by the Secretary, that are not yet fully implemented, compared to the benefits and costs of the rule in the absence of such regulations.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA7ACF8A8715741E0B2EDF8E7441F311C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>Before the Secretary issues a proposed rule or a final rule under this subtitle, the head of the Office of Regulation in the Office of General Counsel, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Economist (or successor offices), shall—</text>
<paragraph id="idE3AAF1F4560846CF967C165FC3B21D11"><enum>(1)</enum><text>certify compliance with subsections (b), (c), and (d); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id526F384201DB41D6B7A81A7E65E0FDD4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>include the certification in the docket of the rule.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF7EBA75A386A4DB29D33ED661C20008C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Regulatory determination</header><text>Except where otherwise required by statute, the Secretary may issue a proposed rule or final rule only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the rule justify its costs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idB3A4813C37284A71AEF7894F117E1056"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>Not later than the date that the proposed rule or final rule, as applicable, is published, the Secretary shall make publicly available the regulatory impact analysis for that regulation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3E651C432A784B5D9D228DAF8092BF56"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the requirements under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/6">chapter 6</external-xref> of title 5.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idFF1F98A6F38E41A39E11E9496501146C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 115, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20126 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF0024EFE91654262A77A2A704EAB6BA4" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20127. Regulatory
impact analyses.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="idC1B9A11C39FA4F7FA974978A1B445761"><enum>117.</enum><header>Periodic review of Federal Railroad Administration actions</header>
<subsection id="id75A8D21D101F46D8802F77AFAE71623C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 116, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD96A83C7454B4B8EA8BC536564C56E82" style="USC">
<section id="idBB79A4383DF54B438BAF46A8DCC289FE"><enum>20128.</enum><header>Periodic comprehensive review
of agency actions</header>
<subsection id="ide6ccfb02a2f34b8283e260cfc4ed606c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<text>Except as provided under subsection (f), not later than June 1, 2019, and at least every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete, based on the public recommendations under subsection (b), a comprehensive review of the regulations, orders, and guidance documents issued under this subtitle.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id630D55868C9048FE904178502B408F53"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public comments</header>
<paragraph id="idFCAFAB1521ED46929A63F687F868249C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Before conducting a review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a request for public comment on recommendations for regulations, orders, or guidance documents to be revised or repealed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id29d1419f5a7d43ab96ade58afd637ce6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>A request for public comment under paragraph (1) shall solicit—</text>
<subparagraph id="idcfe04c210bab4819a08474d406c4d610"><enum>(A)</enum><text>recommendations for regulations, orders, or guidance documents to be revised or repealed, including a reference to the applicable citation (in Code of Federal Regulations format);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id645dff9f7e4e4de4bd1bb9ba273ee39f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>justifications, including any supporting information, for revising or repealing a regulation, order, or guidance document identified under subparagraph (A); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id662C02AB78604C86A3C3688B2A4820CB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if applicable, specific suggestions for improving a regulation, order, or guidance document identified under subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id25C84BC39E5D40199E30AD1461172641"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public comment period</header><text>The Secretary shall provide 90 days for public comment under this subsection.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idb447eb5002df4dd18748f0e5a5459d01"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>A review under subsection (a) shall include for each regulation, order, or guidance document recommended for revision or repeal under subsection (b)(2)(A)—</text>
<paragraph id="id2BC87E33CF614A40979DC12E40F6C505"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consideration of each justification under subsection (b)(2)(B) and, if applicable, each suggestion under subsection (b)(2)(C);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id438bdc1937104590a0003a5c9ea9e973"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an assessment of whether the regulation, order, or guidance document is—</text> <subparagraph id="id38755D22EC8E4128AACAD5AF08F5AFF3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>outmoded or outdated in light of changed circumstances, including the availability of new technologies;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC481DD1315FD49EA88DD27A122CD4A5B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>excessively burdensome due to, among other things—</text> <clause id="id482EF595B1D740A3BBB021E57AB793ED"><enum>(i)</enum><text>disproportionate costs on small businesses; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idC39F0CBFCC8A4A2E872F3834794F2169"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>costs that exceed benefits;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA2F0DEE1437D469F91E646FAA5501082"><enum>(C)</enum><text>ineffective or insufficient for achieving its objective;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC1676E73DAFB435098DF2CB0BD3C7D4F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>unclear;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id01B1B4B39A014FD892CEEEFD41DD820E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>inconsistent with other law; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0D22129B58894E5395F4DF0C74C1EC18"><enum>(F)</enum><text>not uniformly or inconsistently enforced;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id99071DF73BDF4122AABF15C845477DDA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to the extent feasible, a comparison of the actual regulatory cost or burden of the regulation, order, or guidance document to the cost or burden estimated in the analysis of—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBC2A09ED27534ED1B7D2775795D6168F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the regulation during the rulemaking process;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id263197F8290B43E294DE5C3C731BD95E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the order; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAAB5864E6A3543F8A4572094C3B2F20C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the guidance document;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id29a65c46cad14ed0b95bff578cd802a9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a determination, based on the information compiled under paragraphs (1) through (3), whether it is appropriate to revise or repeal the regulation, order, or guidance document; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5A3F4A304D1F492CB273AC78A09A549C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>a justification for each determination under paragraph (4).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida07fa7e2bddd417faab67a7b8e6f01f8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Regulatory actions</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of completion of the review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="idB696C5E60EDB4AB49A74F34B60DC205D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>initiate a rulemaking to revise or repeal, as applicable, each regulation that the Secretary determines under subsection (c)(4) is necessary to revise or repeal;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCAE5B4B7514440C285585C2F5505970D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>take action to revise or repeal, as applicable, each order the Secretary determines under subsection (c)(4) is necessary to revise or repeal; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id61049C9E7A7C417684D53F7ADA5E204A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>take action to revise or repeal, as applicable, each guidance document the Secretary determines under subsection (c)(4) is necessary to revise or repeal.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id86c0017b949d4249a6646668a67ca53a"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the completion of a review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit a report to the <committee-name committee-id="SSCM00">Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate</committee-name> and the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives</committee-name> that includes—</text>
<paragraph id="id6d22ca208dc946349c2837abff1a2468"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the findings of the review under subsection (a) and any review conducted under section 20129(c);</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8fa036c24fe04bf6bb501572eaff49db"><enum>(2)</enum> <text>a list of each determination for the repeal or revision of a regulation, order, or guidance document under subsection (c)(4), including the justification for the determination under subsection (c)(5); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDF218C939A8E4EEC905163A3A19CDDA1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the status and timeline of each action under subsection (d).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id53C701297BA743E5A62E116F8FDE1721"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The review under subsection (a) shall not apply to any regulation that has a framework described under section 20129.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id7A6259F409584D52941B93F7ADA439A6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 116, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20127 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5730DD6EDE8A488AA70DFCD313F2E42C" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20128. Periodic comprehensive review
of agency actions.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id1F9AC95A9ED94D62813C715458C0F96E"><enum>118.</enum><header>Framework for reviewing future regulations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9353835678DE4D0D83B9C9B65A67CFAC"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 117, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3541CE91F1F84CAE84163E4483BEB189" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27DECBEBF27C4C23B7AB34F7559D41C6"><enum>20129.</enum><header>Framework for reviewing future regulations</header>
<subsection id="id799F01906EB64E8E8E812DC74ED8B7E0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall include, in each significant rule prescribed under this subtitle on or after December 31, 2017, a framework for assessing the effects of the rule.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id150e3df22f4f4912a3d0628c7c39671e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>The framework for assessing the effects of a rule required under subsection (a) shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="id5b98f3fdcdf940a893524c40ff2b96f0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a clear statement of the objectives of the rule, including the need to be addressed and how the rule addresses that need;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5c96c3da5432446baea7cb955d638fcd"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a plan for assessing the effects of the rule, including—</text> <subparagraph id="id1F5365DB6A7F402B89A14F5F9A62778F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>metrics to best gauge the effects on safety; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id49F36260BF174E4EBB47AC701466FFCD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>costs associated with the rule; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4b6dd8bf50e146a0b27ef1899c116d04"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a plan for gathering the data generated by the assessment required under paragraph (2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2BE70F6F9EF04BD8844CD9C13A6765F0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><text>Using the framework described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct a review of the rule, in a manner that is substantially similar to the review described in section 20128, not later than 5 years after the effective date of the regulation and every 5 years thereafter.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idEC90A0C0D349464FAE9B4BB07616210C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 117, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20128 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id023A4F067F0A404381D3F5345F9284B5" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20129. Framework for reviewing future regulations.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="idE1DAD1382AAC4ED990AD536B7F0FADD3"><enum>119.</enum><header>Application</header>
<subsection id="idCC24E780479C4BC383881433ECE35991"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 201, as amended by section 118, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB4DE558E8C674CC5A4AD36CC48C2162C" style="USC">
<section id="id3423524367804505BD42C4394C8557BB"><enum>20130.</enum><header>Nonapplicability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Sections 20122 through 20127 and section 20129 shall not apply to sections 20104 and 20109(j).</text></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id270C22A3E53E4B1CA8939B0F75A023D3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 201, as amended by section 118, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20129 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1535C92988C9447BAA1E454ED48328AC" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">20130. Nonapplicability.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id81EAF638D04141AD910D63D2B11FB6AD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 51 is amended by inserting after section 5110 the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id275A5B3E839447D5945AED9D15856E59" style="USC"> <section id="idA6C3C64331954A2C8F0A8D983F7F5A5B"><enum>5111.</enum><header>Regulatory process improvement</header> <subsection id="idCB06B14855F84048813F6AF1AE8FE26C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (b), sections 20122, 20123, 20124, 20127, and 20129 shall apply to a proposed rule and, if applicable, a final rule issued under this chapter if a primary purpose or material outcome of the rule is to affect the safe or secure transportation by railroad of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id4E183476256948F1BC8CFF14B6628D42"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Special permits</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in section 20122, 20124, 20127, or 20129 shall be construed to apply to any action taken pursuant to section 5117.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id30DAA53FE9074101BD799726EF6E54AC"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for chapter 51 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5110 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8A456DD14F1C4D899BBE70AE0E42BA93" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">5111. Regulatory process improvement.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="idD458261B9E38458BB98B6BD2A40D1B45"><enum>120.</enum><header>Effective dates</header>
<subsection id="idB6D8842C901244D68B6232F8EFC7B2B6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by sections 111, 112, 115, and 116 shall apply with respect to proposed rules, final rules, and guidance documents issued on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idEE1B8596390648C3A59E255CD7CEEEDE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Section 113</header><text>The amendment made by section 113 shall apply with respect to proposed rules issued on or after the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idCDBC14D67CE14ABC9533B323EBD5ECCF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Section 114</header><text>The amendment made by section 114 shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Miscellaneous provisions</header>
<subtitle id="id5925376FE0874BADBFAD5C4CB1A9DB92" style="OLC"><enum>A</enum><header>Reorganization of subtitle V</header>
<section id="idF54A1BF392294E758390665F8FA4C9E6"><enum>211.</enum><header>Rail improvement grants</header>
<subsection id="idB0B133D89F614643AD7BD832B3212812"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Redesignation</header><text>Subtitle V is amended—</text> <paragraph id="idCD1A6D8722E34504937BDD83919C3265"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 24401 through 24408 as sections 22901 through 22908, respectively;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA0820742C9524CE8BB1E7E5F21E8FB2B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating chapter 244 as chapter 229;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id30131280FE094FDA90DE41572B6CF8FD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by moving chapter 229, as redesignated, to appear at the end of part B;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB03C3861A6864D2D972C9BA966553A5C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in the table of chapters—</text> <subparagraph id="id7EA60BC15B0A4FEE8CC207F512E0457B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking the item relating to chapter 244; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id472BD9AE433142699E362210E879B92C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to chapter 227 the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4C869C3F956E463C9978CD45F3830819" style="OLC"><toc><multi-column-toc-entry bold="off" level="section"><toc-enum>Chapter 229. </toc-enum><level-header level="section">Rail Improvement Grants</level-header><target>22901</target></multi-column-toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>; </after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">and</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph id="idB02FA58F1D484246AB83ADD117EBD2AE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by amending the table of sections for chapter 229, as redesignated, to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEE0BD54B2D34400B8DC858E03C3A1A97" style="OLC">
<chapter id="idB7D7B81E0921423D8FA31064E9400486" style="OLC"><enum>229</enum><header>Rail improvement grants</header><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">Sec.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22901. Definitions.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22902. Capital investment grants to support intercity passenger rail services.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22903. Project management oversight.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22904. Use of capital grants to finance first-dollar liability of grant project.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22905. Grant conditions.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22906. Authorization of appropriations.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22907. Consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">22908. Restoration and enhancement grants.</toc-entry></toc></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3991A7E481F340EF9F2CCFD0D90E3EF2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendments</header>
<paragraph id="id44539C19660C420799F8CC5987BC4B1B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Technical amendments</header><text>Chapter 229, as redesignated, is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="idE1C22A04C25B423EB80522741D905AF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in section 22902, as redesignated—</text>
<clause id="id85412F5896CA49A5BFBB9BC2001E3329"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subsection (c)(3)(A)—</text> <subclause id="idADD67D101F914C8FA4F247D1EFB3D610"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting <quote>of</quote> after <quote>other modes</quote>; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id5962326DC7D24DEEB1CC3C511ECD05A5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in clause (vi) by striking <quote>environmentally</quote> and inserting <quote>environmental</quote>; and</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="id08D1380260E04476AE87CC47528726FE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subsection (k), by striking <quote>state rail plan</quote> and inserting <quote>State rail plan</quote>; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAB061205BC2843E8B94954F2D5F9DCE1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in section 22905(e)(1), as redesignated—</text> <clause id="id5F5CF67F14EC4EAA9C4E695881897561"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>government authority</quote> and inserting <quote>governmental authority</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idDEE6AFCEB555430E8B9C393DA0B1704C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>section 5302(11) and (6), respectively, of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>section 5302</quote>.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id66FAB1B772F742B98322C3C2362880BF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Chapter 229, as redesignated, is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7F4425A08F2840DE8D187ADBC6424447"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in section 22901(2)(D), as redesignated, by striking <quote>24404</quote> and inserting <quote>22904</quote>;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0922318253784493BEE6CB55448E919C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in section 22904, as redesignated, by striking <quote>24402</quote> and inserting <quote>22902</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE4185C236D6A49ABA9212BC016D2D999"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in section 22907, as redesignated—</text> <clause id="idDA12C8DF48044554953AA25530F5478B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subsection (c)(2), by striking <quote>24401(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>22901(2)</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id9FE30EFA0B994AE1A934A86E751B1DC4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subsection (k), by striking <quote>of sections 24402, 24403, and 24404 and the definition contained in 24401(1)</quote> and inserting <quote>under sections 22902, 22903, and 22904, and the definition contained in section 22901(1)</quote>; and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA86AFD2795BD49CFA4CDFF0C517AC281"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in section 22908, as redesignated—</text>
<clause id="id6034D7228D214F80999FE6384C0B2F30"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>24401(1)</quote> and inserting <quote>22901(1)</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="idAD009C7C30324C0484C9227769CC0DAA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subsection (i)(3), by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idC0DDB036AAA546B2B57518AC7E52F58C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Additional conforming amendments</header>
<subparagraph id="id19F9DFBF289D4CE288817D4009834214"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Subtitle V</header><text>Subtitle V is amended—</text> <clause id="id70367291DF8B46A58FE002FDB6903A7A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in part C—</text>
<subclause id="id83206399E8F84253BE7E6C7A0D3446B5"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in section 24711(c)(3), by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="id148DC1A9356E41DD9290C8E8F2F7FA8F"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in section 24911(i), by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idCC6D6577DD364CF4A09D452AC85F7D02"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in part D, in section 26106(e)(3), by striking <quote>24405 of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9DE0FCF487D742F19E87661B6BDED00F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Railroad safety enhancement act of 2008</header><text>The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (division B of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/110/432">Public Law 110–432</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<clause id="id39C487DCA3094F1EBAC8AB36E98F0710"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in section 301(c) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/24405">49 U.S.C. 24405</external-xref> note), by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="id77A6C71DE74943439F0A90B1AD4F1425"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in section 502(a)(4)(I) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/26106">49 U.S.C. 26106</external-xref> note), by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD985EA481100499EB596128F72ABEABF"><enum>(C)</enum><header>High-speed rail corridor development</header><text>Section 26106(e)(3) is amended by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id389CCFCA1B52470E9E517001799B9B4B"><enum>(D)</enum><header>FAST Act</header><text>Section 11308(a)(4)(I) of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/114/94">Public Law 114–94</external-xref>; 129 Stat. 1312) is amended by striking <quote>24405</quote> and inserting <quote>22905</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idCB91C9C2493640D18C668FEF5601C1E7"><enum>212.</enum><header>Project delivery</header>
<subsection id="id2A6207E152FD48F096B504C6200B1431"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Redesignation</header><text>Subtitle V is amended—</text> <paragraph id="id81E0C9BD799E4DE283244049DA26C2E8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 24201 and 24202 as sections 28701 and 28702, respectively;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE2B43DAE3A014E15A76F3AF99B4F0B69"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating chapter 242 as chapter 287;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id62B1B736D0C44C22B24C02CDEFBD7BD2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by moving chapter 287, as redesignated, to appear at the end of part E;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA5F5300F3E1044D7A4E833D692FA0074"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in the table of chapters—</text> <subparagraph id="idE6DE5355BF2A4257B408CABCC86392F1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking the item relating to chapter 242; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2C5B33D7686D4E8B86EFE536868D8575"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to chapter 285 the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE91F49E496E64FEE9159EFF1224AD8FE" style="OLC"><toc><multi-column-toc-entry bold="off" level="section"><toc-enum>Chapter 287.</toc-enum><level-header level="section">Project Delivery</level-header><target>28701</target></multi-column-toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">and</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2227D16B0D4E4CD5AB0FA70CAFB19D58"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by amending the table of sections for chapter 287, as redesignated, to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id17460E84E81A45098ED4AB09049AA95F" style="OLC">
<chapter id="id34094AA04E2A4E0AA5CFCCA30B1CCAF3" style="OLC"><enum>287</enum><header>Project delivery</header><toc><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">Sec.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">28701. Efficient environmental reviews.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">28702. Railroad rights-of-way.</toc-entry></toc></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF20D27BB994D4E97B1FDF3BB7AC027FA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Efficient environmental reviews</header><text>Section 28701, as redesignated, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="id7741A6D5EEC145B5A45DF2016917D375"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE35CF3333047431EB6D920C492D6FB45"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idE3661D9F789F45719381FCECA5C3C9DE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id245379952D6541088931CD802F156754" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id1C3DFAC7CE01400E88457BE511A587D5"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the adoption of new categorical exclusions for railroad projects that require the approval of the Secretary under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321</external-xref> et seq.), including categorical exclusions proposed as part or as a result of a notice of proposed rulemaking.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id414CA8A3D42B486298BF87191F865595" style="OLC"><enum>B</enum><header>Miscellaneous</header>
<section id="id0FFDD2C8A10D40FCA24BDB5DCF3EE84D"><enum>221.</enum><header>Rulemaking process</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 20116 is amended in the heading by striking <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Rulemaking process</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Incorporation by reference</header-in-text></quote>.</text> </section><section id="idDB0A7EA78107417BB6AD95DBC84E03AE"><enum>222.</enum><header>Training</header> <subsection id="id3B28D3570F0A48A2BF4EFB2D81F2FBD3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Minimum training standards and plans</header> <text>Section 20162 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id906C6B2C6C664756B218D1E839B4E650"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text> <subparagraph id="id1C6429968DC448EBA5AE9FAD38D82478"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008,</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id26FC0EB1C2FD44E2A290B118A22000CA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0384AC089FC84DE797E1F95818D222D6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id51B6F6899D074189B7BF709194450D8A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id99E15567DE5D4AEA81A47996D80B02E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsection (b); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id991F2865D2364799B45457DC1CA3DDDC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0BC81016A8B341FF8FEF3364DCBAF885" style="OLC"> <subsection id="idD3EC6E9987B64CC48E8FEA004E0ED6DA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exemptions</header><text>The Secretary shall exempt railroad carriers and railroad carrier contractors and subcontractors, or the employees thereof, from any training standard, curriculum, or ongoing criteria, testing, or skills evaluation measure, or any other requirement under this section if—</text>
<paragraph id="id0DE284784A884E8CA981B43A3E69F391"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Secretary makes a reasoned determination that the benefits do not justify the costs of such requirement;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEB2296FF42A242F196D7B4039AE2ACF1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>there is insufficient supporting information to support the need for such requirement; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA33E474F369A4D74A8F4B16D926B4F44"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Secretary has issued other training regulations covering the same subject or designed to achieve the same objective.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id47119A7A18DD49408EB8DF779BB04142"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise the regulations under part 243 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to reduce the burden on railroad carriers, railroad carrier contractors and subcontractors, and employees thereof in accordance with section 20162, as amended by subsection (a) of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id93B322ED1C354313AAD7194857A0C8B7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The regulations under part 243 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall not be in effect before the date that is 30 days after the date of publication of the final rule required by subsection (b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5041A8F0C26C48918CC4333838CCC3C0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, may be construed to affect part 214 or 232 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as revised by the final rule, <quote>Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees</quote> (79 Fed. Reg. 66459).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id85138DD433384FEE91A2252A4C1B8CF6"><enum>223.</enum><header>Assessments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 20156 is amended—</text> <paragraph id="id6BFD87A793EE414C8BFC237399421729"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idADB6AF80B4CD499DAC2347BA3CB6AC90"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the</quote> and inserting <quote>The</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7394C4FE91DC4160A79AE7C0E794F62C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>Class II</quote> before <quote>railroad carrier that has inadequate safety performance</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4AAAFEC89D724264B5389AA23B789A64"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id45A6B903A41E4AE8BFDC176CF8B3BEE0" style="OLC"> <subsection id="idFA48532E46AC4737A31CDB323868193D"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Class III railroad carriers</header><text>The Secretary may require a railroad carrier that is a Class III railroad and that has an inadequate safety performance (as determined by the Secretary) to conduct a safety assessment, including a safety assessment conducted under a grant made by the Secretary to a private or nonprofit organization involved in or affiliated with transportation by a Class II railroad or Class III railroad for research, development, evaluation, and training efforts, to enhance rail safety practices and safety culture.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idE32C12A0B7E74D9CA221BAA2E0941A5F"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Necessary improvements</header>
<paragraph id="idAD5D7D79E20A4541BB765F2D07D43F72"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For each railroad carrier described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall define the criteria the railroad carrier must meet in order to demonstrate that it has adequate safety performance.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1CC58E0B272C4D2B866E3F60FEA08A53"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Railroad carriers described</header><text>A railroad carrier described in this paragraph is—</text> <subparagraph id="id5ECAAB3047D445928DF90685E44E3CBC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a Class II railroad or a Class III railroad; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8742FB11213B4066A2EB81D9C0DBAB93"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has inadequate safety performance (as determined by the Secretary).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id49F3B3D051D84B3D9A4B57A553D36973"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Subsection (a), and the components of the program required under that subsection, shall not apply to a railroad carrier that is a Class III railroad.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>. </after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8A20DAFB617649A18F9B09F91F9E4756"><enum>224.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Miscellaneous authority</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 24305(c)(4) is amended by inserting <quote>subject to section 24321,</quote> before <quote>provide food</quote>.</text> </section><section id="idE652834C49FB430185899CC1FF847F0A"><enum>225.</enum><header>Applicability to States</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 270 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to exclude a State, or a political subdivision of a State, that provides equipment, track, right-of-way, or financial support for intercity passenger service pursuant to section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (division B of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/110/432">Public Law 110–432</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/49/24101">49 U.S.C. 24101</external-xref> note) if such State or political subdivision does not directly operate such service.</text>
</section><section id="id23CD35DA009F4048A204F86632210799"><enum>226.</enum><header>Electronic communications and record keeping</header>
<subsection id="id920906D004D54310AA755C2B4D83447F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="idF268D708BD534ABC9C4418FE28751C6E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>review part A of subtitle V of title 49, United States Code, including all relevant regulations, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id39ed1145375f454abfd4d5e9b83333a6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify each requirement for a person—</text>
<clause id="idAAEACD197F7E4D1F81ED9295E9FDC69B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to maintain a record;</text> </clause><clause id="id0e6e9ffd8df54e45a20152278c9f68cc"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to communicate with the Department of Transportation; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idC148860D59AD410C8F344CBBA230C250"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to file information with the Department of Transportation; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id57669ACF4CC046868CC02F8E2B66384A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>determine whether current regulations or other requirements allow for—</text> <clause id="id84F4A09F36804504BC387DC817972647"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an electronic record to be substituted for a paper record;</text>
</clause><clause id="id39AC11F480E84F3C9C51A1B6F5FD8E47"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a digital transmission, or such other electronic form of transmission as the Secretary considers appropriate, to be substituted for a paper or voice communication; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id806c84498b20460fadaeb90dc7678246"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an electronic filing of information to be substituted for a paper filing of information; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD3A84D29BC3F47279EB943B033EB3FD9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>submit to the <committee-name committee-id="SSCM00">Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate</committee-name> and the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives</committee-name> a report of the findings of the review, including any recommendations.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9097d524329c4fbda83e2d662dbaec50"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Permissible communications and record keeping</header><text>After conducting the review under subsection (a), the Secretary may authorize a person to substitute an electronic record, transmission, or filing for a paper or voice record, transmission, or filing, as applicable, if the Secretary makes a reasoned determination that the benefits outweigh the costs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5FE05ECEC89C4D42BD31DC1B0CAECC86"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law in part A of subtitle V of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, the Secretary may revise any regulation as necessary to carry out subsection (b) of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id304c1a62fc9a4a36b4b86425a8be455d"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed as expanding any record keeping or reporting requirement.</text></subsection></section></subtitle>