[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4111 Reported in House (RH)]

                                                 Union Calendar No. 380

103d CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 4111

                          [Report No. 103-698]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

    To authorize appropriations for the National Railroad Passenger 
                  Corporation, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            August 11, 1994

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed





                                                 Union Calendar No. 380
103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4111

                          [Report No. 103-698]

    To authorize appropriations for the National Railroad Passenger 
                  Corporation, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 22, 1994

    Mr. Swift (by request) introduced the following bill; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

                            August 11, 1994

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
 [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 
                               22, 1994]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To authorize appropriations for the National Railroad Passenger 
                  Corporation, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Investment Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) intercity rail passenger service is an essential 
        component of the integrated national transportation system; 
        however, to achieve its full potential the National Railroad 
        Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) must provide a quality 
        transportation product in the form of clean, comfortable, and 
        on-time service;
            (2) Amtrak's management and employees are dedicated to 
        providing the high quality service that Amtrak's customers 
        deserve; however, additional capital investment is needed to 
        acquire the modern equipment and efficient facilities that are 
        essential to satisfy the demand for superior intercity rail 
        passenger service;
            (3) significant levels of Federal capital investment will 
        enable Amtrak to provide the world class service American rail 
        passengers deserve, and will reduce operating costs in the long 
        term;
            (4) Amtrak's management should be held accountable to 
        ensure that all capital investment by the Federal Government is 
        effectively used to improve the quality of service and the 
        long-term financial health of Amtrak;
            (5) the Secretary of Transportation, as an ex officio 
        member of Amtrak's board of directors, should use this position 
        to evaluate Amtrak's costs and revenue elements to ensure that 
        Amtrak provides excellent service to its customers and that 
        Amtrak uses its Federal investment wisely and efficiently;
            (6) States can play a significant role in providing cost-
        efficient intercity rail passenger transportation and in 
        addressing local transportation needs and air quality control; 
        and
            (7) the freight railroads represent a critical part of the 
        Nation's transportation infrastructure, which should help to 
        provide expeditious and cost-effective delivery of passenger 
        trains.

SEC. 3. WORLD CLASS SERVICE.

    Section 24101(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) manage capital investment in such a way as to 
        provide its customers with world class service.''.

SEC. 4. RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

    Section 24315(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) shall include projections of the anticipated benefits 
        of the projects proposed for funding under this part and a 
        report on the benefits actually realized from all projects 
        previously funded under this part, or legislation on which this 
        part is based, beginning with funds provided in fiscal year 
        1994.
Such report shall include an identification of improvements in the 
quality of service offered by Amtrak, facility improvements that 
demonstrate a productivity gain, equipment improvements that lower 
operating costs, environmental benefits (including air quality and land 
use), enhancements to local transportation needs, enhancements to 
mobility of physically and economically disadvantaged persons, an 
improvement to the revenue-to-cost ratio, reduced dependence on Federal 
operating support, and reductions in the need for alternative 
transportation investments. To the extent practicable, the benefits 
addressed in each report shall also be expressed as return on invested 
capital.''.

SEC. 5. STATE REQUESTED RAIL PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) State/Federal Formula.--(1) Section 24704 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)(1)(C)--
                    (i) by striking ``short term'' both places it 
                appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``long-term''; 
                and
                    (ii) by striking ``65 percent'' and inserting in 
                lieu thereof ``55 percent'';
            (B) in subsection (b)--
                    (i) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the 
                following new sentence: ``Any such renewal shall 
                require the State, agency, or person to provide a 
                statement that such State, agency, or person agrees to 
                pay in each year of operation, beginning with the first 
                year of operation of service under such renewed 
                agreement, at least 55 percent of the long-term 
                avoidable losses of operating such service and at least 
                50 percent of the associated capital costs.''; and
                    (ii) by inserting at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3) Amtrak is authorized to contribute in each year of operation 
of any service instituted or retained pursuant to this section no more 
than--
            ``(A) 55 percent in the first year of such operation; and
            ``(B) 45 percent in each year of operation thereafter,
of the long-term avoidable losses of operating such service and no more 
than 50 percent of the associated capital costs.''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall only apply with 
respect to fiscal year 1996 and subsequent fiscal years.
    (b) Review of Program.--Within 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
comprehensive review of the program of State-assisted rail passenger 
services operated by Amtrak under section 24704 of title 49, United 
States Code, and shall submit a report to the Congress detailing the 
Secretary's findings and conclusions, including any recommendations the 
Secretary may have for revising such section 24704. The Secretary's 
report shall address, among other things, whether and at what point 
services originated under section 24704 should become a part of the 
basic system of intercity rail passenger transportation and shall 
identify any other avenues for initiating and implementing new rail 
passenger transportation.

SEC. 6. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Capital Improvements.--(1) Section 24902(h) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``If practicable''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Amtrak shall make capital improvements for the Northeast 
Corridor improvement program under this chapter as necessary to operate 
reliable, high-speed rail passenger service, to enhance capacity for 
intercity and commuter passenger transportation, and as otherwise may 
be necessary to ensure continued reliable high-speed service. Amtrak 
shall also acquire train equipment to be used on the Northeast 
Corridor, mitigate environmental impacts related to the Northeast 
Corridor improvement program, and provide adequate parking at and 
improve Northeast Corridor rail stations.''.
    (2) Section 24909 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (A) by striking subsection (e); and
            (B) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively.
    (b) Boston-New Haven Electrification Project.--(1) Section 24902(f) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Improvements under''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Amtrak shall design and construct the electrification system 
between Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, to 
accommodate the installation of a third mainline track between 
Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode Island, to be used for double-stack 
freight service to and from the Port of Davisville. Wherever 
practicable, Amtrak shall use portal structures and realign existing 
tracks on undergrade and overgrade bridges to minimize the width of the 
right-of-way required to add the third track. Amtrak shall take such 
other steps as may be required to coordinate and facilitate design and 
construction work.''.
    (2) Amtrak shall, not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, transmit to the Congress a report detailing its 
electrification design between Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode 
Island, and describing efforts to comply with section 24902(f)(2) of 
title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 24104 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``and not more than 
        $332,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $335,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 1996 may be appropriated to the Secretary,'' after 
        ``September 30, 1994,'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraphs:
            ``(C) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.
            ``(D) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.'';
            (3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``Not more than 
        $373,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $373,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 1996 may be appropriated to the Secretary for the benefit 
        of Amtrak for operating expenses.'' after ``for operating 
        expenses.'';
            (4) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the 
        following new clauses:
            ``(iii) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.
            ``(iv) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.'';
            (5) in subsection (c)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``September 30, 
                1993,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``$156,000,000 for fiscal year 
                1995, and $165,000,000 for fiscal year 1996,'' after 
                ``September 30, 1994,''; and
            (6) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Administration of Appropriations.--Notwithstanding section 
6304 of title 31, United States Code, funds appropriated pursuant to 
this section shall be provided to Amtrak upon appropriation when 
requested by Amtrak.''.

SEC. 8. CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION ACCOUNT.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 24316. CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION ACCOUNT.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Amtrak shall establish a Capital and 
Equipment Acquisition Account. Amounts in this account shall be used by 
Amtrak to--
            ``(1) acquire passenger equipment and locomotives;
            ``(2) encourage State and local investment in facilities 
        and equipment used to provide intercity rail passenger 
        transportation; and
            ``(3) address other critical capital priorities.
    ``(b) Deposits.--Amtrak may deposit into the Capital and Equipment 
Acquisition Account--
            ``(1) payments received for the use of its equipment or 
        facilities;
            ``(2) claims recovered by Amtrak; and
            ``(3) amounts from any other source to the extent 
        authorized by Federal law.''.
    (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new item:

``24316. Capital and equipment acquisition account.''.

SEC. 9. ON-TIME PERFORMANCE.

    (a) Comparison.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
direct comparison of the on-time performance of Amtrak compared to 
other modes of commercial passenger transportation, using consistent 
methodologies.
    (b) Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Transportation shall, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, transmit to 
the Congress a report on the results of the comparison required by 
subsection (a), along with an explanation of the differences found in 
on-time performance between modes of transportation, including 
consideration of the age and condition of equipment and any other 
differences among the modes that affect the ability to achieve on-time 
service.

SEC. 10. COOPERATION WITH STUDY.

    Amtrak shall cooperate with the efforts of the Virginia State 
Department of Transportation in designing and carrying out a study on 
the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Washington, 
D.C., and Bristol, Virginia.

SEC. 11. BURBANK-GLENDALE-PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, STATION FACILITIES.

    Amtrak shall develop a plan for new station facilities at the 
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport to accommodate the intercity rail 
passenger requirements of Amtrak, along with the needs of the commuter 
rail services serving the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena metropolitan area. 
In developing the plan, Amtrak shall consider use of a facility at the 
airport as a primary facility for handling intercity and commuter 
passengers, shall evaluate sources of State, local, and private funding 
for the new station facilities, and shall propose the allocation of 
space and costs in the new facilities among all transportation services 
using the facilities. The plan shall be predicated upon completing the 
project with State, local, and private funding, and without Federal 
funds appropriated for Amtrak. Amtrak shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
containing such plan no later than April 1, 1995.

SEC. 12. CITY OF ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, STATION FACILITIES.

    Amtrak shall develop a plan for new or redeveloped station 
facilities in the City of Ontario, California, to accommodate the 
intercity rail passenger requirements of Amtrak, along with the needs 
of the commuter rail services servicing the City of Ontario. In 
developing the plan, Amtrak shall consider use of a facility at the 
Ontario International Airport as the primary facility for handling 
intercity passengers, shall evaluate sources of State, local, and 
private funding for the new or redeveloped station facilities, and 
shall propose the allocation of space and costs in the new facilities 
among all transportation services using the facilities. The plan shall 
be predicated upon completing the project with State, local, and 
private funding, and without Federal funds appropriated for Amtrak. 
Amtrak shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate containing such plan no later than 
April 1, 1995.

SEC. 13. LAND CONVEYANCE.

    (a) Validation and Confirmation.--The conveyance described in 
subsection (b)(1) involving certain real property in Tulare County, 
California, forming a part of the right-of-way granted by the United 
States to the Southern Pacific Railroad under the Act entitled ``An Act 
granting Lands to aid in the Construction of a Railroad and Telegraph 
Line from the States of Missouri and Arkansas to the Pacific Coast'', 
approved July 27, 1866 (14 Stat. 292), is legalized, validated, and 
confirmed in the Redevelopment Agency of the city of Tulare, the 
grantee in such conveyance, and their successors in interest, with 
respect to all interests of the United States in the rights to the real 
property described in subsection (b)(2).
    (b) Conveyance and Real Property Described.--
            (1) Conveyance.--The conveyance referred to in subsection 
        (a) was made by a Judgment in Condemnation and Final Order of 
        Condemnation of the Superior Court in and for the county of 
        Tulare, State of California in Action No. 150298 entitled 
        ``Redevelopment Agency of the City of Tulare v. Southern 
        Pacific Transportation Company'' filed and entered March 10, 
        1992, by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company to the 
        Redevelopment Agency of the city of Tulare.
            (2) Real property described.--The real property referred to 
        in subsection (a) is a parcel of land in the northwest quarter 
        of section 11, township 20 south, range 24 east, Mount Diablo 
        Base and meridian in the city of Tulare, county of Tulare, 
        State of California, more particularly described as follows:
            Commencing at the intersection of the centerlines of Tulare 
        Avenue and ``J'' Street;
            Thence north 10 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds west 208.54 
        feet along the centerline of ``J'' Street;
            Thence south 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds west 40.00 
        feet to the westerly right-of-way line of ``J'' Street and the 
        True Point of Beginning;
            Thence south 10 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds east 148.54 
        feet along said westerly right-of-way line to the beginning of 
        a tangent curve concave to the northwest having a radius of 
        20.00 feet, a radial line through which bears north 79 degrees 
        40 minutes 00 seconds east;
            Thence south, southwesterly and westerly along said curve 
        and right-of-way line through a central angle of 89 degrees 59 
        minutes 36 seconds to the northerly right-of-way line of Tulare 
        Avenue;
            Thence south 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds west 159.89 
        feet along last said right-of-way line;
            Thence leaving said right-of-way line north 10 degrees 20 
        minutes 00 seconds west 168.54 feet parallel with the 
        centerline of ``J'' Street;
            Thence north 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds east 179.88 
        feet to the Point of Beginning.
            Containing 0.69 acres.

SEC. 14. RESIDENCE OF EMPLOYEES.

    The amendments made by section 7 of the Amtrak Reauthorization and 
Improvement Act of 1990 shall apply to all periods before and after the 
date of their enactment.