[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 738 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        S.738

                       One Hundred Fifth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
 the seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven


                                 An Act


 
 To reform the statutes relating to Amtrak, to authorize appropriations 
                   for Amtrak, 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; AMENDMENT OF TITLE 49; TABLE OF SECTIONS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997''.
    (b) Amendment of Title 49, United States Code.--Except as otherwise 
expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is 
expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a 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.
    (c) Table of Sections.--The table of sections for this Act is as 
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; amendment of title 49; table of sections.
Sec. 2. Findings.

                            TITLE I--REFORMS

                     Subtitle A--Operational Reforms

Sec. 101. Basic system.
Sec. 102. Mail, express, and auto-ferry transportation.
Sec. 103. Route and service criteria.
Sec. 104. Additional qualifying routes.
Sec. 105. Transportation requested by States, authorities, and other 
          persons.
Sec. 106. Amtrak commuter.
Sec. 107. Through service in conjunction with intercity bus operations.
Sec. 108. Rail and motor carrier passenger service.
Sec. 109. Passenger choice.
Sec. 110. Application of certain laws.

                         Subtitle B--Procurement

Sec. 121. Contracting out.

                 Subtitle C--Employee Protection Reforms

Sec. 141. Railway Labor Act Procedures.
Sec. 142. Service discontinuance.

                 Subtitle D--Use of Railroad Facilities

Sec. 161. Liability limitation.
Sec. 162. Retention of facilities.

                     TITLE II--FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Sec. 201. Amtrak financial goals.
Sec. 202. Independent assessment.
Sec. 203. Amtrak Reform Council.
Sec. 204. Sunset trigger.
Sec. 205. Senate procedure for consideration of restructuring and 
          liquidation plans.
Sec. 206. Access to records and accounts.
Sec. 207. Officers' pay.
Sec. 208. Exemption from taxes.
Sec. 209. Limitation on use of tax refund.

               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.

                         TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 401. Status and applicable laws.
Sec. 402. Waste disposal.
Sec. 403. Assistance for upgrading facilities.
Sec. 404. Demonstration of new technology.
Sec. 405. Program master plan for Boston-New York main line.
Sec. 406. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Sec. 407. Definitions.
Sec. 408. Northeast Corridor cost dispute.
Sec. 409. Inspector General Act of 1978 amendment.
Sec. 410. Interstate rail compacts.
Sec. 411. Board of Directors.
Sec. 412. Educational participation.
Sec. 413. Report to Congress on Amtrak bankruptcy.
Sec. 414. Amtrak to notify Congress of lobbying relationships.
Sec. 415. Financial powers.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
        (1) intercity rail passenger service is an essential component 
    of a national intermodal passenger transportation system;
        (2) Amtrak is facing a financial crisis, with growing and 
    substantial debt obligations severely limiting its ability to cover 
    operating costs and jeopardizing its long-term viability;
        (3) immediate action is required to improve Amtrak's financial 
    condition if Amtrak is to survive;
        (4) all of Amtrak's stakeholders, including labor, management, 
    and the Federal Government, must participate in efforts to reduce 
    Amtrak's costs and increase its revenues;
        (5) additional flexibility is needed to allow Amtrak to operate 
    in a businesslike manner in order to manage costs and maximize 
    revenues;
        (6) Amtrak should ensure that new management flexibility 
    produces cost savings without compromising safety;
        (7) Amtrak's management should be held accountable to ensure 
    that all investment by the Federal Government and State governments 
    is used effectively to improve the quality of service and the long-
    term financial health of Amtrak;
        (8) Amtrak and its employees should proceed quickly with 
    proposals to modify collective bargaining agreements to make more 
    efficient use of manpower and to realize cost savings which are 
    necessary to reduce Federal financial assistance;
        (9) Amtrak and intercity bus service providers should work 
    cooperatively and develop coordinated intermodal relationships 
    promoting seamless transportation services which enhance travel 
    options and increase operating efficiencies;
        (10) Amtrak's Strategic Business Plan calls for the 
    establishment of a dedicated source of capital funding for Amtrak 
    in order to ensure that Amtrak will be able to fulfill the goals of 
    maintaining--
            (A) a national passenger rail system; and
            (B) that system without Federal operating assistance; and
        (11) Federal financial assistance to cover operating losses 
    incurred by Amtrak should be eliminated by the year 2002.

                            TITLE I--REFORMS
                    Subtitle A--Operational Reforms

SEC. 101. BASIC SYSTEM.

    (a) Operation of Basic System.--(1) Section 24701 is amended to 
read as follows:

``Sec. 24701. National rail passenger transportation system

    ``Amtrak shall operate a national rail passenger transportation 
system which ties together existing and emergent regional rail 
passenger service and other intermodal passenger service.''.
    (2) The item relating to section 24701 in the table of sections of 
chapter 247 is amended to read as follows:
``24701. National rail passenger transportation system.''.

    (b) Improving Rail Passenger Transportation.--Section 24702 and the 
item relating thereto in the table of sections for chapter 247 are 
repealed.
    (c) Discontinuance.--Section 24706 is amended--
        (1) by striking ``90 days'' and inserting ``180 days'' in 
    subsection (a)(1);
        (2) by striking ``24707(a) or (b) of this title,'' in 
    subsection (a)(1) and inserting ``or discontinuing service over a 
    route,'';
        (3) by inserting ``or assume'' after ``agree to share'' in 
    subsection (a)(1);
        (4) by striking ``section 24707(a) or (b) of this title'' in 
    subsection (a)(2) and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
        (5) by striking ``section 24707(a) or (b) of this title'' in 
    subsection (b)(1) and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''.
    (d) Cost and Performance Review.--Section 24707 and the item 
relating thereto in the table of sections for chapter 247 are repealed.
    (e) Special Commuter Transportation.--Section 24708 and the item 
relating thereto in the table of sections for chapter 247 are repealed.
    (f) Conforming Amendment.--Section 24312(a)(1) is amended by 
striking ``, 24701(a),''.

SEC. 102. MAIL, EXPRESS, AND AUTO-FERRY TRANSPORTATION.

    Section 24306 is amended--
        (1) by striking the last sentence of subsection (a); and
        (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Authority of Others To Provide Auto-Ferry Transportation.--
State and local laws and regulations that impair the provision of auto-
ferry transportation do not apply to Amtrak or a rail carrier providing 
auto-ferry transportation. A rail carrier may not refuse to participate 
with Amtrak in providing auto-ferry transportation because a State or 
local law or regulation makes the transportation unlawful.''.

SEC. 103. ROUTE AND SERVICE CRITERIA.

    Section 24703 and the item relating thereto in the table of 
sections for chapter 247 are repealed.

SEC. 104. ADDITIONAL QUALIFYING ROUTES.

    Section 24705 and the item relating thereto in the table of 
sections for chapter 247 are repealed.
    SEC. 105. TRANSPORTATION REQUESTED BY STATES, AUTHORITIES, AND 
      OTHER PERSONS.
    (a) Repeal.--Section 24704 and the item relating thereto in the 
table of sections of chapter 247 are repealed.
    (b) State, Regional, and Local Cooperation.--Section 24101(c)(2) is 
amended by inserting ``, separately or in combination,'' after ``and 
the private sector''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 24312(a)(1) is amended by 
striking ``or 24704(b)(2)''.

SEC. 106. AMTRAK COMMUTER.

    (a) Repeal of Chapter 245.--Chapter 245 and the item relating 
thereto in the table of chapters for subtitle V of such title, are 
repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 24301(f) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(f) Tax Exemption for Certain Commuter Authorities.--A commuter 
authority that was eligible to make a contract with Amtrak Commuter to 
provide commuter rail passenger transportation but which decided to 
provide its own rail passenger transportation beginning January 1, 
1983, is exempt, effective October 1, 1981, from paying a tax or fee to 
the same extent Amtrak is exempt.''.
    (c) Trackage Rights Not Affected.--The repeal of chapter 245 of 
title 49, United States Code, by subsection (a) of this section is 
without prejudice to the retention of trackage rights over property 
owned or leased by commuter authorities.
    SEC. 107. THROUGH SERVICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERCITY BUS 
      OPERATIONS.
    (a) In General.--Section 24305(a) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), Amtrak may enter 
into a contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity 
transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes 
only--
        ``(i) if the motor carrier is not a public recipient of 
    governmental assistance, as such term is defined in section 
    13902(b)(8)(A) of this title, other than a recipient of funds under 
    section 5311 of this title;
        ``(ii) for passengers who have had prior movement by rail or 
    will have subsequent movement by rail; and
        ``(iii) if the buses, when used in the provision of such 
    transportation, are used exclusively for the transportation of 
    passengers described in clause (ii).
    ``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to transportation funded 
predominantly by a State or local government, or to ticket selling 
agreements.''.
    (b) Policy Statement.--Section 24305(d) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) Congress encourages Amtrak and motor common carriers of 
passengers to use the authority conferred in sections 11322 and 14302 
of this title for the purpose of providing improved service to the 
public and economy of operation.''.

SEC. 108. RAIL AND MOTOR CARRIER PASSENGER SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law (other 
than section 24305(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code), Amtrak and 
motor carriers of passengers are authorized--
        (1) to combine or package their respective services and 
    facilities to the public as a means of increasing revenues; and
        (2) to coordinate schedules, routes, rates, reservations, and 
    ticketing to provide for enhanced intermodal surface 
    transportation.
    (b) Review.--The authority granted by subsection (a) is subject to 
review by the Surface Transportation Board and may be modified or 
revoked by the Board if modification or revocation is in the public 
interest.

SEC. 109. PASSENGER CHOICE.

    Federal employees are authorized to travel on Amtrak for official 
business where total travel cost from office to office is competitive 
on a total trip or time basis.

SEC. 110. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LAWS.

    (a) Application of FOIA.--Section 24301(e) is amended by adding at 
the end thereof the following: ``Section 552 of title 5, United States 
Code, applies to Amtrak for any fiscal year in which Amtrak receives a 
Federal subsidy.''.
    (b) Application of Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act.--Section 303B(m) of the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253b(m)) applies to a proposal in the 
possession or control of Amtrak.

                        Subtitle B--Procurement

SEC. 121. CONTRACTING OUT.

    (a) Repeal of Ban on Contracting Out.--Section 24312 is amended--
        (1) by striking subsection (b);
        (2) by striking ``(1)'' in subsection (a); and
        (3) by striking ``(2) Wage'' in subsection (a) and inserting 
    ``(b) Wage Rates.--Wage''.
    (b) Amendment of Existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.--
        (1) Contracting out.--Any collective bargaining agreement 
    entered into between Amtrak and an organization representing Amtrak 
    employees before the date of enactment of this Act is deemed 
    amended to include the language of section 24312(b) of title 49, 
    United States Code, as that section existed on the day before the 
    effective date of the amendments made by subsection (a).
        (2) Enforceability of amendment.--The amendment to any such 
    collective bargaining agreement deemed to be made by paragraph (1) 
    of this subsection is binding on all parties to the agreement and 
    has the same effect as if arrived at by agreement of the parties 
    under the Railway Labor Act.
    (c) Contracting-out Issues To Be Included in Negotiations.--
Proposals on the subject matter of contracting out work, other than 
work related to food and beverage service, which results in the layoff 
of an Amtrak employee--
        (1) shall be included in negotiations under section 6 of the 
    Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 156) between Amtrak and an 
    organization representing Amtrak employees, which shall be 
    commenced by--
            (A) the date on which labor agreements under negotiation on 
        the date of enactment of this Act may be re-opened; or
            (B) November 1, 1999,
    whichever is earlier;
        (2) may, at the mutual election of Amtrak and an organization 
    representing Amtrak employees, be included in any negotiation in 
    progress under section 6 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 156) 
    on the date of enactment of this Act; and
        (3) may not be included in any negotiation in progress under 
    section 6 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 156) on the date of 
    enactment of this Act, unless both Amtrak and the organization 
    representing Amtrak employees agree to include it in the 
    negotiation.
No contract between Amtrak and an organization representing Amtrak 
employees, that is under negotiation on the date of enactment of this 
Act, may contain a moratorium that extends more than 5 years from the 
date of expiration of the last moratorium.
    (d) No Inference.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) is 
without prejudice to the power of Amtrak to contract out the provision 
of food and beverage services on board Amtrak trains or to contract out 
work not resulting in the layoff of Amtrak employees.

                Subtitle C--Employee Protection Reforms

SEC. 141. RAILWAY LABOR ACT PROCEDURES.

    (a) Notices.--Notwithstanding any arrangement in effect before the 
date of the enactment of this Act, notices under section 6 of the 
Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 156) with respect to all issues relating 
to employee protective arrangements and severance benefits which are 
applicable to employees of Amtrak, including all provisions of Appendix 
C-2 to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Agreement, signed 
July 5, 1973, shall be deemed served and effective on the date which is 
45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Amtrak, and each 
affected labor organization representing Amtrak employees, shall 
promptly supply specific information and proposals with respect to each 
such notice.
    (b) National Mediation Board Efforts.--Except as provided in 
subsection (c), the National Mediation Board shall complete all 
efforts, with respect to the dispute described in subsection (a), under 
section 5 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 155) not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Railway Labor Act Arbitration.--The parties to the dispute 
described in subsection (a) may agree to submit the dispute to 
arbitration under section 7 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 157), 
and any award resulting therefrom shall be retroactive to the date 
which is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Dispute Resolution.--(1) With respect to the dispute described 
in subsection (a) which--
        (A) is unresolved as of the date which is 120 days after the 
    date of the enactment of this Act; and
        (B) is not submitted to arbitration as described in subsection 
    (c),
Amtrak shall, and the labor organization parties to such dispute shall, 
within 127 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each 
select an individual from the entire roster of arbitrators maintained 
by the National Mediation Board. Within 134 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the individuals selected under the preceding 
sentence shall jointly select an individual from such roster to make 
recommendations with respect to such dispute under this subsection. If 
the National Mediation Board is not informed of the selection under the 
preceding sentence 134 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Board shall immediately select such individual.
    (2) No individual shall be selected under paragraph (1) who is 
pecuniarily or otherwise interested in any organization of employees or 
any railroad.
    (3) The compensation of individuals selected under paragraph (1) 
shall be fixed by the National Mediation Board. The second paragraph of 
section 10 of the Railway Labor Act shall apply to the expenses of such 
individuals as if such individuals were members of a board created 
under such section 10.
    (4) If the parties to a dispute described in subsection (a) fail to 
reach agreement within 150 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the individual selected under paragraph (1) with respect to such 
dispute shall make recommendations to the parties proposing contract 
terms to resolve the dispute.
    (5) If the parties to a dispute described in subsection (a) fail to 
reach agreement, no change shall be made by either of the parties in 
the conditions out of which the dispute arose for 30 days after 
recommendations are made under paragraph (4).
    (6) Section 10 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 160) shall not 
apply to a dispute described in subsection (a).
    (e) No Precedent for Freight.--Nothing in this Act, or in any 
amendment made by this Act, shall affect the level of protection 
provided to freight railroad employees and mass transportation 
employees as it existed on the day before the date of enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 142. SERVICE DISCONTINUANCE.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 24706(c) is repealed.
    (b) Existing Contracts.--Any provision of a contract entered into 
before the date of the enactment of this Act between Amtrak and a labor 
organization representing Amtrak employees relating to employee 
protective arrangements and severance benefits applicable to employees 
of Amtrak is extinguished, including all provisions of Appendix C-2 to 
the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Agreement, signed July 5, 
1973.
    (c) Special Effective Date.--Subsections (a) and (b) of this 
section shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (d) Nonapplication of Bankruptcy Law Provision.--Section 1172(c) of 
title 11, United States Code, shall not apply to Amtrak and its 
employees.

                 Subtitle D--Use of Railroad Facilities

SEC. 161. LIABILITY LIMITATION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 281 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``Sec. 28103. Limitations on rail passenger transportation liability

    ``(a) Limitations.--(1) Notwithstanding any other statutory or 
common law or public policy, or the nature of the conduct giving rise 
to damages or liability, in a claim for personal injury to a passenger, 
death of a passenger, or damage to property of a passenger arising from 
or in connection with the provision of rail passenger transportation, 
or from or in connection with any rail passenger transportation 
operations over or rail passenger transportation use of right-of-way or 
facilities owned, leased, or maintained by any high-speed railroad 
authority or operator, any commuter authority or operator, any rail 
carrier, or any State, punitive damages, to the extent permitted by 
applicable State law, may be awarded in connection with any such claim 
only if the plaintiff establishes by clear and convincing evidence that 
the harm that is the subject of the action was the result of conduct 
carried out by the defendant with a conscious, flagrant indifference to 
the rights or safety of others. If, in any case wherein death was 
caused, the law of the place where the act or omission complained of 
occurred provides, or has been construed to provide, for damages only 
punitive in nature, this paragraph shall not apply.
    ``(2) The aggregate allowable awards to all rail passengers, 
against all defendants, for all claims, including claims for punitive 
damages, arising from a single accident or incident, shall not exceed 
$200,000,000.
    ``(b) Contractual Obligations.--A provider of rail passenger 
transportation may enter into contracts that allocate financial 
responsibility for claims.
    ``(c) Mandatory Coverage.--Amtrak shall maintain a total minimum 
liability coverage for claims through insurance and self-insurance of 
at least $200,000,000 per accident or incident.
    ``(d) Effect on Other Laws.--This section shall not affect the 
damages that may be recovered under the Act of April 27, 1908 (45 
U.S.C. 51 et seq.; popularly known as the `Federal Employers' Liability 
Act') or under any workers compensation Act.
    ``(e) Definition.--For purposes of this section--
        ``(1) the term `claim' means a claim made--
            ``(A) against Amtrak, any high-speed railroad authority or 
        operator, any commuter authority or operator, any rail carrier, 
        or any State; or
            ``(B) against an officer, employee, affiliate engaged in 
        railroad operations, or agent, of Amtrak, any high-speed 
        railroad authority or operator, any commuter authority or 
        operator, any rail carrier, or any State;
        ``(2) the term `punitive damages' means damages awarded against 
    any person or entity to punish or deter such person or entity, or 
    others, from engaging in similar behavior in the future; and
        ``(3) the term `rail carrier' includes a person providing 
    excursion, scenic, or museum train service, and an owner or 
    operator of a privately owned rail passenger car.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 281 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``28103. Limitations on rail passenger transportation liability.''.

SEC. 162. RETENTION OF FACILITIES.

    Section 24309(b) is amended by inserting ``or on January 1, 1997,'' 
after ``1979,''.

                    TITLE II--FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

SEC. 201. AMTRAK FINANCIAL GOALS.

    Section 24101(d) is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following: ``Amtrak shall prepare a financial plan to operate within 
the funding levels authorized by section 24104 of this chapter, 
including budgetary goals for fiscal years 1998 through 2002. 
Commencing no later than the fiscal year following the fifth 
anniversary of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, Amtrak 
shall operate without Federal operating grant funds appropriated for 
its benefit.''.

SEC. 202. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Initiation.--Not later than 15 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall contract with an 
entity independent of Amtrak and not in any contractual relationship 
with Amtrak, and independent of the Department of Transportation, to 
conduct a complete independent assessment of the financial requirements 
of Amtrak through fiscal year 2002. The entity shall have demonstrated 
knowledge about railroad industry accounting requirements, including 
the uniqueness of the industry and of Surface Transportation Board 
accounting requirements. The Department of Transportation, Office of 
Inspector General, shall approve the entity's statement of work and the 
award and shall oversee the contract. In carrying out its 
responsibilities under the preceding sentence, the Inspector General's 
Office shall perform such overview and validation or verification of 
data as may be necessary to assure that the assessment conducted under 
this subsection meets the requirements of this section.
    (b) Assessment Criteria.--The Secretary and Amtrak shall provide to 
the independent entity estimates of the financial requirements of 
Amtrak for the period described in subsection (a), using as a base the 
fiscal year 1997 appropriation levels established by the Congress. The 
independent assessment shall be based on an objective analysis of 
Amtrak's funding needs.
    (c) Certain Factors To Be Taken into Account.--The independent 
assessment shall take into account all relevant factors, including 
Amtrak's--
        (1) cost allocation process and procedures;
        (2) expenses related to intercity rail passenger service, 
    commuter service, and any other service Amtrak provides;
        (3) Strategic Business Plan, including Amtrak's projected 
    expenses, capital needs, ridership, and revenue forecasts; and
        (4) assets and liabilities.
For purposes of paragraph (3), in the capital needs part of its 
Strategic Business Plan Amtrak shall distinguish between that portion 
of the capital required for the Northeast Corridor and that required 
outside the Northeast Corridor, and shall include rolling stock 
requirements, including capital leases, ``state of good repair'' 
requirements, and infrastructure improvements.
    (d) Bidding Practices.--
        (1) Study.--The independent assessment also shall determine 
    whether, and to what extent, Amtrak has performed each year during 
    the period from 1992 through 1996 services under contract at 
    amounts less than the cost to Amtrak of performing such services 
    with respect to any activity other than the provision of intercity 
    rail passenger transportation, or mail or express transportation. 
    For purposes of this clause, the cost to Amtrak of performing 
    services shall be determined using generally accepted accounting 
    principles for contracting. If identified, such contracts shall be 
    detailed in the report of the independent assessment, as well as 
    the methodology for preparation of bids to reflect Amtrak's actual 
    cost of performance.
        (2) Reform.--If the independent assessment performed under this 
    subparagraph reveals that Amtrak has performed services under 
    contract for an amount less than the cost to Amtrak of performing 
    such services, with respect to any activity other than the 
    provision of intercity rail passenger transportation, or mail or 
    express transportation, then Amtrak shall revise its methodology 
    for preparation of bids to reflect its cost of performance.
    (e) Deadline.--The independent assessment shall be completed not 
later than 180 days after the contract is awarded, and shall be 
submitted to the Council established under section 203, the Secretary 
of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the United States Senate, and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the United States House of 
Representatives.

SEC. 203. AMTRAK REFORM COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established an independent commission 
to be known as the Amtrak Reform Council.
    (b) Membership.--
        (1) In general.--The Council shall consist of 11 members, as 
    follows:
            (A) The Secretary of Transportation.
            (B) Two individuals appointed by the President, of which--
                (i) one shall be a representative of a rail labor 
            organization; and
                (ii) one shall be a representative of rail management.
            (C) Three individuals appointed by the Majority Leader of 
        the United States Senate.
            (D) One individual appointed by the Minority Leader of the 
        United States Senate.
            (E) Three individuals appointed by the Speaker of the 
        United States House of Representatives.
            (F) One individual appointed by the Minority Leader of the 
        United States House of Representatives.
        (2) Appointment criteria.--
            (A) Time for initial appointments.--Appointments under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made within 30 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (B) Expertise.--Individuals appointed under subparagraphs 
        (C) through (F) of paragraph (1)--
                (i) may not be employees of the United States;
                (ii) may not be board members or employees of Amtrak;
                (iii) may not be representatives of rail labor 
            organizations or rail management; and
                (iv) shall have technical qualifications, professional 
            standing, and demonstrated expertise in the field of 
            corporate management, finance, rail or other transportation 
            operations, labor, economics, or the law, or other areas of 
            expertise relevant to the Council.
        (3) Term.--Members shall serve for terms of 5 years. If a 
    vacancy occurs other than by the expiration of a term, the 
    individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall be appointed in the 
    same manner as, and shall serve only for the unexpired portion of 
    the term for which, that individual's predecessor was appointed.
        (4) Chairman.--The Council shall elect a chairman from among 
    its membership within 15 days after the earlier of--
            (A) the date on which all members of the Council have been 
        appointed under paragraph (2)(A); or
            (B) 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
        (5) Majority required for action.--A majority of the members of 
    the Council present and voting is required for the Council to take 
    action. No person shall be elected chairman of the Council who 
    receives fewer than 5 votes.
    (c) Administrative Support.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
provide such administrative support to the Council as it needs in order 
to carry out its duties under this section.
    (d) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Council shall serve 
without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5702 and 5703 of title 
5, United States Code.
    (e) Meetings.--Each meeting of the Council, other than a meeting at 
which proprietary information is to be discussed, shall be open to the 
public.
    (f) Access to Information.--Amtrak shall make available to the 
Council all information the Council requires to carry out its duties 
under this section. The Council shall establish appropriate procedures 
to ensure against the public disclosure of any information obtained 
under this subsection that is a trade secret or commercial or financial 
information that is privileged or confidential.
    (g) Duties.--
        (1) Evaluation and recommendation.--The Council shall--
            (A) evaluate Amtrak's performance; and
            (B) make recommendations to Amtrak for achieving further 
        cost containment and productivity improvements, and financial 
        reforms.
        (2) Specific considerations.--In making its evaluation and 
    recommendations under paragraph (1), the Council shall consider all 
    relevant performance factors, including--
            (A) Amtrak's operation as a national passenger rail system 
        which provides access to all regions of the country and ties 
        together existing and emerging rail passenger corridors;
            (B) appropriate methods for adoption of uniform cost and 
        accounting procedures throughout the Amtrak system, based on 
        generally accepted accounting principles; and
            (C) management efficiencies and revenue enhancements, 
        including savings achieved through labor and contracting 
        negotiations.
        (3) Monitor work-rule savings.--If, after January 1, 1997, 
    Amtrak enters into an agreement involving work-rules intended to 
    achieve savings with an organization representing Amtrak employees, 
    then Amtrak shall report quarterly to the Council--
            (A) the savings realized as a result of the agreement; and
            (B) how the savings are allocated.
    (h) Annual Report.--Each year before the fifth anniversary of the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Council shall submit to the Congress 
a report that includes an assessment of--
        (1) Amtrak's progress on the resolution of productivity issues; 
    or
        (2) the status of those productivity issues,
and makes recommendations for improvements and for any changes in law 
it believes to be necessary or appropriate.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Council such sums as may be necessary to enable the 
Council to carry out its duties.

SEC. 204. SUNSET TRIGGER.

    (a) In General.--If at any time more than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act and implementation of the financial plan referred 
to in section 24104(d) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by 
section 201 of this Act, the Amtrak Reform Council finds that--
        (1) Amtrak's business performance will prevent it from meeting 
    the financial goals set forth in section 24104(d) of title 49, 
    United States Code, as amended by section 201 of this Act; or
        (2) Amtrak will require operating grant funds after the fifth 
    anniversary of the date of enactment of this Act,
then the Council shall immediately notify the President, the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the United States Senate, 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the United 
States House of Representatives.
    (b) Factors Considered.--In making a finding under subsection (a), 
the Council shall take into account--
        (1) Amtrak's performance;
        (2) the findings of the independent assessment conducted under 
    section 202;
        (3) the level of Federal funds made available for carrying out 
    the financial plan referred to in section 24104(d) of title 49, 
    United States Code, as amended by section 201 of this Act; and
        (4) Acts of God, national emergencies, and other events beyond 
    the reasonable control of Amtrak.
    (c) Action Plan.--Within 90 days after the Council makes a finding 
under subsection (a)--
        (1) it shall develop and submit to the Congress an action plan 
    for a restructured and rationalized national intercity rail 
    passenger system; and
        (2) Amtrak shall develop and submit to the Congress an action 
    plan for the complete liquidation of Amtrak, after having the plan 
    reviewed by the Inspector General of the Department of 
    Transportation and the General Accounting Office for accuracy and 
    reasonableness.
    SEC. 205. SENATE PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF RESTRUCTURING AND 
      LIQUIDATION PLANS.
    (a) In General.--If, within 90 days (not counting any day on which 
either House is not in session) after a restructuring plan is submitted 
to the House of Representatives and the Senate by the Amtrak Reform 
Council under section 204 of this Act, an implementing Act with respect 
to a restructuring plan (without regard to whether it is the plan 
submitted) has not been passed by the Congress, then a liquidation 
disapproval resolution shall be introduced in the Senate by the 
Majority Leader of the Senate, for himself and the Minority Leader of 
the Senate, or by Members of the Senate designated by the Majority 
Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate. The liquidation disapproval 
resolution shall be held at the desk at the request of the Presiding 
Officer.
    (b) Consideration in the Senate.--
        (1) Referral and reporting.--A liquidation disapproval 
    resolution introduced in the Senate shall be placed directly and 
    immediately on the Calendar.
        (2) Implementing resolution from house.--When the Senate 
    receives from the House of Representatives a liquidation 
    disapproval resolution, the resolution shall not be referred to 
    committee and shall be placed on the Calendar.
        (3) Consideration of single liquidation disapproval 
    resolution.--After the Senate has proceeded to the consideration of 
    a liquidation disapproval resolution under this subsection, then no 
    other liquidation disapproval resolution originating in that same 
    House shall be subject to the procedures set forth in this section.
        (4) Amendments.--No amendment to the resolution is in order 
    except an amendment that is relevant to liquidation of Amtrak. 
    Consideration of the resolution for amendment shall not exceed one 
    hour excluding time for recorded votes and quorum calls. No 
    amendment shall be subject to further amendment, except for 
    perfecting amendments.
        (5) Motion nondebatable.--A motion to proceed to consideration 
    of a liquidation disapproval resolution under this subsection shall 
    not be debatable. It shall not be in order to move to reconsider 
    the vote by which the motion to proceed was adopted or rejected, 
    although subsequent motions to proceed may be made under this 
    paragraph.
        (6) Limit on consideration.--
            (A) After no more than 20 hours of consideration of a 
        liquidation disapproval resolution, the Senate shall proceed, 
        without intervening action or debate (except as permitted under 
        paragraph (9)), to vote on the final disposition thereof to the 
        exclusion of all amendments not then pending and to the 
        exclusion of all motions, except a motion to reconsider or 
        table.
            (B) The time for debate on the liquidation disapproval 
        resolution shall be equally divided between the Majority Leader 
        and the Minority Leader or their designees.
        (7) Debate of amendments.--Debate on any amendment to a 
    liquidation disapproval resolution shall be limited to one hour, 
    equally divided and controlled by the Senator proposing the 
    amendment and the majority manager, unless the majority manager is 
    in favor of the amendment, in which case the minority manager shall 
    be in control of the time in opposition.
        (8) No motion to recommit.--A motion to recommit a liquidation 
    disapproval resolution shall not be in order.
        (9) Disposition of senate resolution.--If the Senate has read 
    for the third time a liquidation disapproval resolution that 
    originated in the Senate, then it shall be in order at any time 
    thereafter to move to proceed to the consideration of a liquidation 
    disapproval resolution for the same special message received from 
    the House of Representatives and placed on the Calendar pursuant to 
    paragraph (2), strike all after the enacting clause, substitute the 
    text of the Senate liquidation disapproval resolution, agree to the 
    Senate amendment, and vote on final disposition of the House 
    liquidation disapproval resolution, all without any intervening 
    action or debate.
        (10) Consideration of house message.--Consideration in the 
    Senate of all motions, amendments, or appeals necessary to dispose 
    of a message from the House of Representatives on a liquidation 
    disapproval resolution shall be limited to not more than 4 hours. 
    Debate on each motion or amendment shall be limited to 30 minutes. 
    Debate on any appeal or point of order that is submitted in 
    connection with the disposition of the House message shall be 
    limited to 20 minutes. Any time for debate shall be equally divided 
    and controlled by the proponent and the majority manager, unless 
    the majority manager is a proponent of the motion, amendment, 
    appeal, or point of order, in which case the minority manager shall 
    be in control of the time in opposition.
    (c) Consideration in Conference.--
        (1) Convening of conference.--In the case of disagreement 
    between the two Houses of Congress with respect to a liquidation 
    disapproval resolution passed by both Houses, conferees should be 
    promptly appointed and a conference promptly convened, if 
    necessary.
        (2) Senate consideration.--Consideration in the Senate of the 
    conference report and any amendments in disagreement on a 
    liquidation disapproval resolution shall be limited to not more 
    than 4 hours equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader 
    and the Minority Leader or their designees. A motion to recommit 
    the conference report is not in order.
    (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
        (1) Liquidation disapproval resolution.--The term ``liquidation 
    disapproval resolution'' means only a resolution of either House of 
    Congress which is introduced as provided in subsection (a) with 
    respect to the liquidation of Amtrak.
        (2) Restructuring plan.--The term ``restructuring plan'' means 
    a plan to provide for a restructured and rationalized national 
    intercity rail passenger transportation system.
    (e) Rules of Senate.--This section is enacted by the Congress--
        (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, and 
    as such they are deemed a part of the rules of the Senate, but 
    applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the 
    Senate in the case of a liquidation disapproval resolution; and 
    they supersede other rules only to the extent that they are 
    inconsistent therewith; and
        (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of the 
    Senate to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of 
    the Senate) at any time, in the same manner and to the same extent 
    as in the case of any other rule of the Senate.

SEC. 206. ACCESS TO RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS.

    Section 24315 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(h) Access to Records and Accounts.--A State shall have access to 
Amtrak's records, accounts, and other necessary documents used to 
determine the amount of any payment to Amtrak required of the State.''.

SEC. 207. OFFICERS' PAY.

    Section 24303(b) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
``The preceding sentence shall not apply for any fiscal year for which 
no Federal assistance is provided to Amtrak.''.

SEC. 208. EXEMPTION FROM TAXES.

    Section 24301(l)(1) is amended--
        (1) by striking so much as precedes ``exempt from a tax'' and 
    inserting the following:
        ``(1) In general.--Amtrak, a rail carrier subsidiary of Amtrak, 
    and any passenger or other customer of Amtrak or such subsidiary, 
    are'';
        (2) by striking ``tax or fee imposed'' and all that follows 
    through ``levied on it'' and inserting ``tax, fee, head charge, or 
    other charge, imposed or levied by a State, political subdivision, 
    or local taxing authority on Amtrak, a rail carrier subsidiary of 
    Amtrak, or on persons traveling in intercity rail passenger 
    transportation or on mail or express transportation provided by 
    Amtrak or such a subsidiary, or on the carriage of such persons, 
    mail, or express, or on the sale of any such transportation, or on 
    the gross receipts derived therefrom''; and
        (3) by amending the last sentence thereof to read as follows: 
    ``In the case of a tax or fee that Amtrak was required to pay as of 
    September 10, 1982, Amtrak is not exempt from such tax or fee if it 
    was assessed before April 1, 1997.''.

SEC. 209. LIMITATION ON USE OF TAX REFUND.

    (a) In General.--Amtrak may not use any amount received under 
section 977 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997--
        (1) for any purpose other than making payments to non-Amtrak 
    States (pursuant to section 977(c) of that Act), or the financing 
    of qualified expenses (as that term is defined in section 977(e)(1) 
    of that Act); or
        (2) to offset other amounts used for any purpose other than the 
    financing of such expenses.
    (b) Report by ARC.--The Amtrak Reform Council shall report 
quarterly to the Congress on the use of amounts received by Amtrak 
under section 977 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 24104(a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Transportation--
        ``(1) $1,138,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
        ``(2) $1,058,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
        ``(3) $1,023,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
        ``(4) $989,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
        ``(5) $955,000,000 for fiscal year 2002,
for the benefit of Amtrak for capital expenditures under chapters 243, 
247, and 249 of this title, operating expenses, and payments described 
in subsection (c)(1) (A) through (C). In fiscal years following the 
fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997 no funds authorized for Amtrak shall be used 
for operating expenses other than those prescribed for tax liabilities 
under section 3221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that are more 
than the amount needed for benefits of individuals who retire from 
Amtrak and for their beneficiaries.''.
    (b) Amtrak Reform Legislation.--This Act constitutes Amtrak reform 
legislation within the meaning of section 977(f)(1) of the Taxpayer 
Relief Act of 1997.

                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 401. STATUS AND APPLICABLE LAWS.

    Section 24301 is amended--
        (1) by striking ``rail carrier under section 10102'' in 
    subsection (a)(1) and inserting ``railroad carrier under section 
    20102(2) and chapters 261 and 281''; and
        (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Application of Subtitle IV.--Subtitle IV of this title shall 
not apply to Amtrak, except for sections 11301, 11322(a), 11502, and 
11706. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Amtrak shall continue to 
be considered an employer under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, 
the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and the Railroad Retirement 
Tax Act.''.

SEC. 402. WASTE DISPOSAL.

    Section 24301(m)(1)(A) is amended by striking ``1996'' and 
inserting ``2001''.

SEC. 403. ASSISTANCE FOR UPGRADING FACILITIES.

    Section 24310 and the item relating thereto in the table of 
sections for chapter 243 are repealed.

SEC. 404. DEMONSTRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY.

    Section 24314 and the item relating thereto in the table of 
sections for chapter 243 are repealed.

SEC. 405. PROGRAM MASTER PLAN FOR BOSTON-NEW YORK MAIN LINE.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 24903 is repealed and the table of sections 
for chapter 249 is amended by striking the item relating to that 
section.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
        (1) Section 24902 is amended--
            (A) by striking subsections (a), (c), and (d) and 
        redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (a) and subsections 
        (e) through (m) as subsections (b) through (j), respectively; 
        and
            (B) in subsection (j), as so redesignated by subparagraph 
        (A) of this paragraph, by striking ``(m)''.
        (2) Section 24904(a) is amended--
            (A) by inserting ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
            (B) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (7) and 
        inserting a period; and
            (C) by striking paragraph (8).

SEC. 406. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990.

    (a) Application to Amtrak.--
        (1) Access improvements at certain shared stations.--Amtrak is 
    responsible for its share, if any, of the costs of accessibility 
    improvements required by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 
    1990 at any station jointly used by Amtrak and a commuter 
    authority.
        (2) Certain requirements not to apply until 1998.--Amtrak shall 
    not be subject to any requirement under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3), 
    or (e)(2) of section 242 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 
    1990 (42 U.S.C. 12162) until January 1, 1998.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 24307 is amended--
        (1) by striking subsection (b); and
        (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

SEC. 407. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 24102 is amended--
        (1) by striking paragraphs (2) and (11);
        (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) as paragraphs 
    (2) through (9), respectively; and
        (3) by inserting ``, including a unit of State or local 
    government,'' after ``means a person'' in paragraph (7), as so 
    redesignated.

SEC. 408. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR COST DISPUTE.

    Section 1163 of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 (45 U.S.C. 
1111) is repealed.

SEC. 409. INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT OF 1978 AMENDMENT.

    (a) Amendment.--
        (1) In general.--Section 8G(a)(2) of the Inspector General Act 
    of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking ``Amtrak,''.
        (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
    take effect at the beginning of the first fiscal year after a 
    fiscal year for which Amtrak receives no Federal subsidy.
    (b) Amtrak Not Federal Entity.--Amtrak shall not be considered a 
Federal entity for purposes of the Inspector General Act of 1978. The 
preceding sentence shall apply for any fiscal year for which Amtrak 
receives no Federal subsidy.
    (c) Federal Subsidy.--
        (1) Assessment.--In any fiscal year for which Amtrak requests 
    Federal assistance, the Inspector General of the Department of 
    Transportation shall review Amtrak's operations and conduct an 
    assessment similar to the assessment required by section 202(a). 
    The Inspector General shall report the results of the review and 
    assessment to--
            (A) the President of Amtrak;
            (B) the Secretary of Transportation;
            (C) the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations;
            (D) the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation;
            (E) the United States House of Representatives Committee on 
        Appropriations; and
            (F) the United States House of Representatives Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure.
        (2) Report.--The report shall be submitted, to the extent 
    practicable, before any such committee reports legislation 
    authorizing or appropriating funds for Amtrak for capital 
    acquisition, development, or operating expenses.
        (3) Special effective date.--This subsection takes effect 1 
    year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 410. INTERSTATE RAIL COMPACTS.

    (a) Consent to Compacts.--Congress grants consent to States with an 
interest in a specific form, route, or corridor of intercity passenger 
rail service (including high speed rail service) to enter into 
interstate compacts to promote the provision of the service, 
including--
        (1) retaining an existing service or commencing a new service;
        (2) assembling rights-of-way; and
        (3) performing capital improvements, including--
            (A) the construction and rehabilitation of maintenance 
        facilities;
            (B) the purchase of locomotives; and
            (C) operational improvements, including communications, 
        signals, and other systems.
    (b) Financing.--An interstate compact established by States under 
subsection (a) may provide that, in order to carry out the compact, the 
States may--
        (1) accept contributions from a unit of State or local 
    government or a person;
        (2) use any Federal or State funds made available for intercity 
    passenger rail service (except funds made available for Amtrak);
        (3) on such terms and conditions as the States consider 
    advisable--
            (A) borrow money on a short-term basis and issue notes for 
        the borrowing; and
            (B) issue bonds; and
        (4) obtain financing by other means permitted under Federal or 
    State law.

SEC. 411. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 24302 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 24302. Board of Directors

    ``(a) Reform Board.--
        ``(1) Establishment and duties.--The Reform Board described in 
    paragraph (2) shall assume the responsibilities of the Board of 
    Directors of Amtrak by March 31, 1998, or as soon thereafter as at 
    least 4 members have been appointed and qualified. The Board 
    appointed under prior law shall be abolished when the Reform Board 
    assumes such responsibilities.
        ``(2) Membership.--(A)(i) The Reform Board shall consist of 7 
    voting members appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
    and consent of the Senate, for a term of 5 years.
        ``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if the Secretary of 
    Transportation is appointed to the Reform Board, such appointment 
    shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. If 
    appointed, the Secretary may be represented at Board meetings by 
    his designee.
        ``(B) In selecting the individuals described in subparagraph 
    (A) for nominations for appointments to the Reform Board, the 
    President should consult with the Speaker of the House of 
    Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of 
    Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the 
    Minority Leader of the Senate.
        ``(C) Appointments under subparagraph (A) shall be made from 
    among individuals who--
            ``(i) have technical qualifications, professional standing, 
        and demonstrated expertise in the fields of transportation or 
        corporate or financial management;
            ``(ii) are not representatives of rail labor or rail 
        management; and
            ``(iii) in the case of 6 of the 7 individuals selected, are 
        not employees of Amtrak or of the United States.
        ``(D) The President of Amtrak shall serve as an ex officio, 
    nonvoting member of the Reform Board.
        ``(3) Confirmation procedure in senate.--
            ``(A) This paragraph is enacted by the Congress--
                ``(i) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the 
            Senate, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of the 
            Senate, but applicable only with respect to the procedure 
            to be followed in the Senate in the case of a motion to 
            discharge; and it supersedes other rules only to the extent 
            that it is inconsistent therewith; and
                ``(ii) with full recognition of the constitutional 
            right of the Senate to change the rules (so far as relating 
            to the procedure of the Senate) at any time, in the same 
            manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other 
            rule of the Senate.
            ``(B) If, by the first day of June on which the Senate is 
        in session after a nomination is submitted to the Senate under 
        this section, the committee to which the nomination was 
        referred has not reported the nomination, then it shall be 
        discharged from further consideration of the nomination and the 
        nomination shall be placed on the Executive Calendar.
            ``(C) It shall be in order at any time thereafter to move 
        to proceed to the consideration of the nomination without any 
        intervening action or debate.
            ``(D) After no more than 10 hours of debate on the 
        nomination, which shall be evenly divided between, and 
        controlled by, the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, the 
        Senate shall proceed without intervening action to vote on the 
        nomination.
    ``(b) Board of Directors.--Five years after the establishment of 
the Reform Board under subsection (a), a Board of Directors shall be 
selected--
        ``(1) if Amtrak has, during the then current fiscal year, 
    received Federal assistance, in accordance with the procedures set 
    forth in subsection (a)(2); or
        ``(2) if Amtrak has not, during the then current fiscal year, 
    received Federal assistance, pursuant to bylaws adopted by the 
    Reform Board (which shall provide for employee representation), and 
    the Reform Board shall be dissolved.
    ``(c) Authority to Recommend Plan.--The Reform Board shall have the 
authority to recommend to the Congress a plan to implement the 
recommendations of the 1997 Working Group on Inter-City Rail regarding 
the transfer of Amtrak's infrastructure assets and responsibilities to 
a new separately governed corporation.''.
    (b) Effect on Authorizations.--If the Reform Board has not assumed 
the responsibilities of the Board of Directors of Amtrak before July 1, 
1998, all provisions authorizing appropriations under the amendments 
made by section 301(a) of this Act for a fiscal year after fiscal year 
1998 shall cease to be effective. The preceding sentence shall have no 
effect on funds provided to Amtrak pursuant to section 977 of the 
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

SEC. 412. EDUCATIONAL PARTICIPATION.

    Amtrak shall participate in educational efforts with elementary and 
secondary schools to inform students on the advantages of rail travel 
and the need for rail safety.

SEC. 413. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON AMTRAK BANKRUPTCY.

    Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall submit a report identifying financial and 
other issues associated with an Amtrak bankruptcy to the United States 
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and to the 
United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. The report shall include an analysis of the 
implications of such a bankruptcy on the Federal Government, Amtrak's 
creditors, and the Railroad Retirement System.

SEC. 414. AMTRAK TO NOTIFY CONGRESS OF LOBBYING RELATIONSHIPS.

    If, at any time, during a fiscal year in which Amtrak receives 
Federal assistance, Amtrak enters into a consulting contract or similar 
arrangement, or a contract for lobbying, with a lobbying firm, an 
individual who is a lobbyist, or who is affiliated with a lobbying 
firm, as those terms are defined in section 3 of the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602), Amtrak shall notify the United 
States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and 
the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of--
        (1) the name of the individual or firm involved;
        (2) the purpose of the contract or arrangement; and
        (3) the amount and nature of Amtrak's financial obligation 
    under the contract.
This section applies only to contracts, renewals or extensions of 
contracts, or arrangements entered into after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

SEC. 415. FINANCIAL POWERS.

    (a) Capitalization.--(1) Section 24304 is amended to read as 
follows:

``Sec. 24304. Employee stock ownership plans

    ``In issuing stock pursuant to applicable corporate law, Amtrak is 
encouraged to include employee stock ownership plans.''.
    (2) The item relating to section 24304 in the table of sections of 
chapter 243 is amended to read as follows:
``24304. Employee stock ownership plans.''.

    (b) Redemption of Common Stock.--Amtrak shall, before October 1, 
2002, redeem all common stock previously issued, for the fair market 
value of such stock.
    (c) Elimination of Liquidation Preference and Voting Rights of 
Preferred Stock.--(1)(A) Preferred stock of Amtrak held by the 
Secretary of Transportation shall confer no liquidation preference.
    (B) Subparagraph (A) shall take effect 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.
    (2)(A) Preferred stock of Amtrak held by the Secretary of 
Transportation shall confer no voting rights.
    (B) Subparagraph (A) shall take effect 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Status and Applicable Laws.--(1) Section 24301(a)(3) is amended 
by inserting ``, and shall not be subject to title 31'' after ``United 
States Government''.
    (2) Section 9101(2) of title 31, United States Code, relating to 
Government corporations, is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and 
redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (L) as subparagraphs (A) 
through (K), respectively.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.