[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 197 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 197

  To improve safety and reduce traffic congestion at grade crossings.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 26, 2005

  Mrs. Boxer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To improve safety and reduce traffic congestion at grade crossings.

    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 ``Rail Crossing Safety Act''.

SEC. 2. REPORT REGARDING IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY OF TRAIN TRAVEL IN 
              COMMUNITIES WITHOUT GRADE SEPARATION.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Transporation shall, in consultation 
with State and local government officials, conduct a study of the 
impact of blocked highway-railroad grade crossings on the ability of 
emergency responders to perform public safety and security duties.
    (b) Report on the Impact of Blocked Highway-Railroad Grade 
Crossings on Emergency Responders.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the results 
of the study and recommendations for reducing the impact of blocked 
crossings on emergency response to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure.

SEC. 3. GRADE CROSSING SEPARATION FUND.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transporation shall award grants 
to States and units of local government to construct tunnels, bridges 
and other means of separating rail tracks and roads.
    (b) Priority.--
            (1) In general.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to--
                    (A) grade separations that would have the most 
                impact on improving safety; and
                    (B) rail lines that have a high volume of goods 
                movement.
            (2) Priority adjustment.--After completion of the report 
        required under section 2, the Secretary shall take the report's 
        findings and recommendations into account when determining 
        priorities.
    (c) Regulations.--In order to carry out this section, the Secretary 
may establish any appropriate policies, procedures, or requirements.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
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