[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 749 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 749


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 9, 2015

    Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
  To reauthorize Federal support for passenger rail programs, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Passenger Rail 
Reform and Investment Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Authorization for Amtrak.
Sec. 102. Authorization for Amtrak Office of the Inspector General.
Sec. 103. National infrastructure investments.
Sec. 104. Northeast Corridor.
                        TITLE II--AMTRAK REFORM

Sec. 201. Amtrak planning and grant process.
Sec. 202. Five-year capital and operating plan.
Sec. 203. State-supported routes.
Sec. 204. Route and service planning decisions.
Sec. 205. Competition.
Sec. 206. Food and beverage reform.
Sec. 207. Right-of-way leveraging.
Sec. 208. Station development.
Sec. 209. Amtrak debt.
Sec. 210. Amtrak pilot program for passengers transporting domesticated 
                            cats and dogs.
Sec. 211. Amtrak boarding procedures.
               TITLE III--INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL POLICY

Sec. 301. Federal-State partnership for Northeast Corridor development 
                            and improvement.
Sec. 302. RRIF improvements.
Sec. 303. NEC fast forward.
Sec. 304. Large capital project requirements.
Sec. 305. Small business participation study.
Sec. 306. Gulf Coast rail service working group.
Sec. 307. Miscellaneous.
Sec. 308. Northeast Corridor express service.
                       TITLE IV--PROJECT DELIVERY

Sec. 401. Project delivery rulemaking.
Sec. 402. Historic preservation of railroads.
                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 501. Definition.
Sec. 502. Title 49 definitions.
Sec. 503. State action plans.
Sec. 504. Quiet zone report.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION FOR AMTRAK.

    (a) Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak for deposit into 
the Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account established under 
section 24319(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code (as added by 
section 201 of this Act), the following amounts:
            (1) For fiscal year 2016, $439,000,000.
            (2) For fiscal year 2017, $464,000,000.
            (3) For fiscal year 2018, $480,000,000.
            (4) For fiscal year 2019, $498,000,000.
    (b) National Network.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for the use of Amtrak for deposit into the National 
Network account established under section 24319(a)(2) of title 49, 
United States Code (as added by section 201 of this Act), the following 
amounts:
            (1) For fiscal year 2016, $973,000,000.
            (2) For fiscal year 2017, $974,000,000.
            (3) For fiscal year 2018, $985,000,000.
            (4) For fiscal year 2019, $997,000,000.
    (c) Project Management Oversight.--The Secretary may withhold up to 
$2,000,000 of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), and 
up to $2,000,000 of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection (b), 
for the costs of management oversight of Amtrak.

SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION FOR AMTRAK OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the 
Office of the Inspector General of Amtrak the following amounts:
            (1) For fiscal year 2016, $23,000,000.
            (2) For fiscal year 2017, $24,000,000.
            (3) For fiscal year 2018, $24,000,000.
            (4) For fiscal year 2019, $25,000,000.

SEC. 103. NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary for capital grants under chapter 244 of title 49, United 
States Code, and section 20154 of title 49, United States Code, the 
following amounts:
            (1) For fiscal year 2016, $300,000,000.
            (2) For fiscal year 2017, $300,000,000.
            (3) For fiscal year 2018, $300,000,000.
            (4) For fiscal year 2019, $300,000,000.
    (b) Federal-State Partnership for Northeast Corridor Development 
and Improvement.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
subsection (a), 50 percent for each fiscal year shall be available for 
carrying out section 24407 of title 49, United States Code, as added by 
section 301 of this Act.
    (c) Project Management Oversight.--The Secretary may withhold up to 
\1/2\ of 1 percent of amounts appropriated pursuant to chapter 244 of 
title 49, United States Code, for the costs of project management 
oversight of capital projects carried out pursuant to such chapter.

SEC. 104. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.

    For purposes of this title, the term ``Northeast Corridor'' means 
the Northeast Corridor main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the 
District of Columbia, and facilities and services used to operate and 
maintain that line.

                        TITLE II--AMTRAK REFORM

SEC. 201. AMTRAK PLANNING AND GRANT PROCESS.

    (a) Requirements and Procedures.--
            (1) Amendment.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        sections:
``Sec. 24317. Costs and revenues
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, 
Amtrak shall establish and maintain internal controls to ensure 
Amtrak's costs and revenues are allocated to either the Northeast 
Corridor or the National Network, including proportional shares of 
common and fixed costs.
    ``(b) Definition.--For purposes of this chapter, the term 
`Northeast Corridor' means the Northeast Corridor main line between 
Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and facilities and 
services used to operate and maintain that line.
``Sec. 24318. Grant process
    ``(a) Procedures for Grant Requests.--Not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act 
of 2015, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish and transmit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the Senate substantive and procedural requirements, 
including schedules, for grant requests under this section.
    ``(b) Grant Requests.--Amtrak shall transmit grant requests for 
Federal funds to be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak 
to--
            ``(1) the Secretary; and
            ``(2) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
        and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate.
    ``(c) Contents.--A grant request under subsection (b) shall--
            ``(1) provide a detailed financial analysis for the 
        upcoming fiscal year for the Northeast Corridor, State-
        supported routes, and long-distance routes, including 
        projections for the items listed in 24320(c)(1), as applicable, 
        in comparison to prior fiscal year projections;
            ``(2) include a description of the work to be funded, along 
        with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion 
        of the projects covered by the request;
            ``(3) include an assessment of the continuing financial 
        stability of Amtrak;
            ``(4) be displayed on Amtrak's website within a reasonable 
        timeframe following its submission to the entities described in 
        subsection (b); and
            ``(5) be in similar format and substance to those submitted 
        by executive agencies of the Federal Government.
    ``(d) Review and Approval.--
            ``(1) Thirty-day approval process.--The Secretary shall 
        complete the review of a grant request and approve or 
        disapprove the request not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which Amtrak submits the grant request. If the Secretary 
        disapproves the request or determines that the request is 
        incomplete or deficient, the Secretary shall include the reason 
        for disapproval or the incomplete items or deficiencies in a 
        notice to Amtrak.
            ``(2) Fifteen-day modification period.--Not later than 15 
        days after receiving notification from the Secretary under 
        paragraph (1), Amtrak shall submit a modified request for the 
        Secretary's review.
            ``(3) Revised requests.--Not later than 15 days after 
        receiving a modified request from Amtrak, the Secretary shall 
        either approve the modified request, or, if the Secretary finds 
        that the request is still incomplete or deficient, the 
        Secretary shall identify in writing to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the Senate the remaining 
        deficiencies and recommend a process for resolving the 
        outstanding portions of the request.
    ``(e) Payment to Amtrak.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
        each fiscal year for which amounts are authorized to be 
        appropriated, amounts appropriated shall be paid to Amtrak as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) 50 percent on October 1.
                    ``(B) 25 percent on January 1.
                    ``(C) 25 percent on April 1.
            ``(2) Exception.--The Secretary may make a payment to 
        Amtrak of appropriated funds more frequently than once every 90 
        days if Amtrak, for good cause, requests more frequent payment 
        before a 90-day period ends.
    ``(f) Availability of Amounts and Early Appropriations.--Amounts 
appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak shall remain 
available until expended. Amounts for capital acquisitions and 
improvements may be appropriated for a fiscal year before the fiscal 
year in which the amounts will be obligated.
    ``(g) Limitations on Use.--Amounts appropriated to the Secretary 
for the use of Amtrak may not be used to subsidize operating losses of 
commuter rail passenger or rail freight transportation.
``Sec. 24319. Accounts
    ``(a) Establishment of Accounts.--Amtrak shall establish--
            ``(1) a Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account; and
            ``(2) a National Network account.
    ``(b) Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund Account.--
            ``(1) Deposits.--Amtrak shall deposit in the Northeast 
        Corridor Improvement Fund account established under subsection 
        (a)(1)--
                    ``(A) grant funds appropriated for the Northeast 
                Corridor Improvement Fund pursuant to section 101(a) of 
                the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 or 
                any subsequent Act;
                    ``(B) compensation received from commuter rail 
                passenger transportation on the Northeast Corridor 
                provided to Amtrak pursuant to section 24905(c); and
                    ``(C) any operating surplus of the Northeast 
                Corridor, as allocated pursuant to section 24317.
            ``(2) Use of northeast corridor improvement fund account.--
        Except as provided in subsection (d), amounts deposited in the 
        Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account shall be made 
        available for the use of Amtrak for--
                    ``(A) capital projects described in section 
                24401(2) (A) or (B) to bring the Northeast Corridor to 
                a state-of-good-repair, including projects described in 
                section 24911(a)(2)(E)(i)(I);
                    ``(B) capital projects intended to increase 
                corridor capacity, improve service reliability, and 
                reduce travel time for rail users on the Northeast 
                Corridor, including projects described in subclauses 
                (II) and (III) of section 24911(a)(2)(E)(i), consistent 
                with the planning process established under section 
                24911; and
                    ``(C) retirement of principal and payment of 
                interest on loans for capital equipment, or capital 
                leases, attributable to the Northeast Corridor.
    ``(c) National Network Account.--
            ``(1) Deposits.--Amtrak shall deposit in the account 
        established under subsection (a)(2)--
                    ``(A) grant funds appropriated for the National 
                Network pursuant to section 101(b) of the Passenger 
                Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, or any 
                subsequent Act;
                    ``(B) compensation received from States provided to 
                Amtrak pursuant to section 209 of the Passenger Rail 
                Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 24101 
                note); and
                    ``(C) any operating surplus from the National 
                Network, as allocated pursuant to section 24317.
            ``(2) Use of national network account.--Except as provided 
        in subsection (d), amounts deposited in the National Network 
        account shall be made available for the use of Amtrak for 
        capital expenses and operating costs of the National Network 
        and retirement of principal and payment of interest on loans 
        for capital equipment, or capital leases, attributable to the 
        National Network.
    ``(d) Transfer Authority.--
            ``(1) Authority.--Amtrak may transfer any funds 
        appropriated pursuant to the Passenger Rail Reform and 
        Investment Act of 2015 or any other Act, or any surplus 
        generated by operations, between the Northeast Corridor 
        Improvement Fund and National Network accounts upon the 
        expiration of 60 days after Amtrak has notified the Amtrak 
        Board of Directors of such transfer.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the Amtrak 
        Board of Directors receives notification from Amtrak under 
        paragraph (1), the Board shall transmit a report to the 
        Secretary, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
        and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate, that includes--
                    ``(A) the amount of the transfer; and
                    ``(B) a detailed explanation of the reason for the 
                transfer, including effects on Amtrak services if no 
                transfer were made.
    ``(e) Letters of Intent.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--The Secretary shall issue a letter of 
        intent to Amtrak announcing an intention to obligate, for a 
        major capital project described in subclauses (II) and (III) of 
        section 24911(a)(2)(E)(i), an amount from future available 
        budget authority specified in law that is not more than the 
        amount stipulated as the financial participation of the 
        Secretary in the project.
            ``(2) Notice to congress.--At least 30 days before issuing 
        a letter under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify in 
        writing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
        the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate, of the proposed letter. The Secretary shall include 
        with the notification a copy of the proposed letter, the 
        criteria used for selecting the project for a grant award, and 
        a description of how the project meets criteria of this 
        section.
            ``(3) Contingent nature of obligation or commitment.--An 
        obligation or administrative commitment may be made only when 
        amounts are appropriated. The letter of intent shall state that 
        the contingent commitment is not an obligation of the Federal 
        Government, and is subject to the availability of 
        appropriations under Federal law and to Federal laws in force 
        or enacted after the date of the contingent commitment.
    ``(f) Rolling Stock Purchases.--Prior to entering into contracts in 
excess of $100,000,000 for rolling stock procurements, Amtrak shall 
submit a business case analysis to the Secretary, the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, on the utility of such purchase. This analysis shall--
            ``(1) include a cost and benefit comparison that describes 
        the total lifecycle costs and the anticipated benefits related 
        to revenue, operational efficiency, reliability, and other 
        factors;
            ``(2) set forth the total payments by fiscal year;
            ``(3) identify the specific source and amounts of funding 
        for each payment, including Federal funds, State funds, Amtrak 
        profits, Federal, State, or private loans or loan guarantees, 
        and other funding;
            ``(4) include whether any payment under the contract will 
        increase Amtrak's grant request, as required under section 
        24318, in that particular fiscal year; and
            ``(5) describe how Amtrak will adjust the procurement if 
        future funding is not available.''.
            (2) 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 items:

``24317. Costs and revenues.
``24318. Grant process.
``24319. Accounts.''.
    (b) Northeast Corridor Planning.--
            (1) Amendment.--Chapter 249 of title 49, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 24911. Northeast Corridor planning
    ``(a) Northeast Corridor Capital Investment Plan.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
        of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 
        2015, and annually thereafter, the Northeast Corridor 
        Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission established 
        under section 24905 (referred to in this section as the 
        `Commission') shall develop a capital investment plan for the 
        Northeast Corridor main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and 
        the District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor branch 
        lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, 
        Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York, and facilities and 
        services used to operate and maintain those lines.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each such plan shall--
                    ``(A) be developed to establish a coordinated 
                approach to capital spending on the Northeast Corridor;
                    ``(B) cover a period of 5 fiscal years, beginning 
                with the first fiscal year after the date of the plan;
                    ``(C) notwithstanding section 24902(b), prioritize 
                projects and investments along the Northeast Corridor 
                based on--
                            ``(i) the anticipated benefits and costs of 
                        projects;
                            ``(ii) the anticipated Federal and non-
                        Federal funding available; and
                            ``(iii) the information contained in the 
                        Northeast Corridor asset management plans 
                        required under subsection (b), once available;
                    ``(D) ensure coordination and optimization across 
                the entire Northeast Corridor and among the various 
                owners and users;
                    ``(E) include a financial plan for the investment 
                period that--
                            ``(i) categorizes each capital project as 
                        being primarily associated with--
                                    ``(I) normalized capital 
                                replacement;
                                    ``(II) replacement, rehabilitation, 
                                or repair of Northeast Corridor 
                                infrastructure assets, including 
                                tunnels, bridges, stations, and other 
                                assets; or
                                    ``(III) improvement of train 
                                performance on the Northeast Corridor, 
                                including reduced trip times, increased 
                                train frequencies, higher operating 
                                speeds, and other improvements;
                            ``(ii) identifies the anticipated funding 
                        source and financing method for each capital 
                        project described in subclauses (II) and (III) 
                        of clause (i);
                            ``(iii) describes the anticipated outcomes 
                        of each project, including--
                                    ``(I) an assessment of the 
                                potential effect on passenger 
                                accessibility, operations, safety, 
                                reliability, and resiliency, and on the 
                                ability of infrastructure owners and 
                                operators to meet regulatory 
                                requirements should the project not be 
                                funded; and
                                    ``(II) an assessment of the 
                                benefits and costs;
                            ``(iv) identifies the extent to which the 
                        capital assets are or will be jointly used by 
                        intercity passenger rail service and other 
                        users, and the proportionate share of that 
                        joint usage; and
                            ``(v) for projects that are expected to be 
                        fully or partially funded through Federal 
                        financial assistance, identifies the most 
                        appropriate public agency or entity to receive 
                        those funds and implement each capital project.
            ``(3) Additional contents.--Any plan developed under 
        paragraph (1) after the publication by the Secretary of 
        Transportation of the Northeast Corridor service development 
        plan shall also--
                    ``(A) be developed to identify, prioritize, and 
                phase the implementation of projects necessary to 
                achieve the goals and findings contained in such 
                Northeast Corridor service development plan;
                    ``(B) allow for flexibility to change 
                prioritization and programs based upon the availability 
                of Federal and non-Federal funding;
                    ``(C) inform the Secretary in developing 
                recommendations for Congress on Federal funding needs 
                for the Northeast Corridor and any corresponding 
                Federal investments in the respective capital programs 
                for Northeast Corridor infrastructure owners and users; 
                and
                    ``(D) capture the network-level anticipated 
                outcomes associated with plan implementation, including 
                the anticipated effect on passenger accessibility, 
                operations, safety, reliability, and resiliency.
    ``(b) Northeast Corridor Asset Management Plans.--
            ``(1) Contents.--Amtrak, and States and public 
        transportation entities that own infrastructure that supports 
        or provides for intercity rail passenger transportation on the 
        Northeast Corridor, shall develop and update as necessary 
        Northeast Corridor asset management plans for the Northeast 
        Corridor main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the 
        District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor branch lines 
        connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, 
        Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York, and facilities and 
        services used to operate and maintain those lines, that--
                    ``(A) are consistent with the Federal Transit 
                Administration process, as authorized under section 
                5326, when implemented; and
                    ``(B) include, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) an inventory of all capital assets 
                        owned by the developer of the plan;
                            ``(ii) an assessment of the condition of 
                        each of those assets;
                            ``(iii) a description of how the condition 
                        of each asset has changed since the previous 
                        iteration of the plan; and
                            ``(iv) a description of the necessary 
                        resources and processes for bringing or 
                        maintaining those assets in a state-of-good 
                        repair, including decision support tools and 
                        investment prioritization methodologies.
            ``(2) Transmittal to commission.--Not later than 12 months 
        after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and 
        Investment Act of 2015, each entity described in paragraph (1) 
        shall transmit to the Commission a plan developed under 
        paragraph (1). Any updates to such plan shall also be 
        transmitted to the Commission.
    ``(c) Northeast Corridor Service Development Plan Updates.--The 
Commission shall, at least once every 10 years, update the Northeast 
Corridor service development plan.''.
            (2) Table of sections amendment.--The table of sections for 
        chapter 249 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``24911. Northeast Corridor planning.''.
    (c) Repeals.--The following provisions are repealed:
            (1) Sections 206 and 211 of the Passenger Rail Investment 
        and Improvement Act of 2008, and the items relating thereto in 
        the table of contents of such Act.
            (2) Section 24104 of title 49, United States Code, and the 
        item relating thereto in the table of sections for chapter 241 
        of such title.

SEC. 202. FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL AND OPERATING PLAN.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 24320. Five-year capital and operating plan
    ``(a) Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
an Act appropriating funds pursuant to section 101 of the Passenger 
Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, or any subsequent authorization 
of appropriations for the same purposes, the Amtrak Board of Directors 
shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a 5-
year capital and operating plan for the Northeast Corridor and National 
Network.
    ``(b) Consultation.--Each such plan shall be prepared in 
consultation with--
            ``(1) the Federal Railroad Administration;
            ``(2) the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations 
        Advisory Commission, with respect to the Northeast Corridor; 
        and
            ``(3) the requisite States, with respect to the National 
        Network.
    ``(c) Contents.--A plan prepared under this section shall--
            ``(1) for each of the Northeast Corridor and the National 
        Network, include--
                    ``(A) projected revenues and expenditures for the 
                Northeast Corridor, State-supported routes, long-
                distance routes, and corporate development, including 
                Federal and non-Federal funding sources;
                    ``(B) projected ridership levels for the Northeast 
                Corridor, State-supported routes, and long-distance 
                routes;
                    ``(C) projected capital and operational funding 
                requirements necessary to maintain passenger service in 
                order to accommodate predicted ridership levels and 
                predicted sources of Federal and non-Federal funding;
                    ``(D) projected capital and operating requirements, 
                ridership, revenue, and expenditures for new passenger 
                service operations or service expansions;
                    ``(E) an assessment of the continuing financial 
                stability of Amtrak, as indicated by factors including 
                anticipated Federal funding of capital and operating 
                costs, Amtrak's ability to efficiently recruit, retain, 
                and manage its workforce, and Amtrak's ability to 
                effectively provide passenger rail service;
                    ``(F) estimates of long-term and short-term debt 
                and associated principal and interest payments (both 
                current and anticipated);
                    ``(G) annual cash flow forecasts;
                    ``(H) a statement describing methods of estimation 
                and significant assumptions;
                    ``(I) specific measures that demonstrate measurable 
                improvement year over year in the financial results of 
                Amtrak's operations;
                    ``(J) prior fiscal year and projected--
                            ``(i) operating ratio, cash operating loss, 
                        and cash operating loss per passenger on a 
                        route, business line, and corporate basis;
                            ``(ii) specific costs and savings estimates 
                        resulting from reform initiatives;
                            ``(iii) productivity statistics on a route, 
                        business line, and corporate basis; and
                            ``(iv) equipment reliability statistics;
                    ``(K) capital and operating expenditures for 
                anticipated security needs; and
                    ``(L) a prioritization of capital expenditures by 
                business line; and
            ``(2) reflect the Northeast Corridor planning, as 
        applicable, and grant processes established under sections 
        24911 and 24318.
    ``(d) Conformance to Authorized Funding Levels.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any 
        financial projection for a fiscal year that is included in a 
        plan prepared under this section shall be based on the amount 
        of dedicated funding for such fiscal year.
            ``(2) Absence of appropriation.--In the absence of an 
        appropriation of funds for such fiscal year, the projection 
        shall be based on the amount of funds authorized by law to be 
        appropriated for that fiscal year, plus other dedicated 
        funding.
            ``(3) Dedicated funding defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term `dedicated funding' means any amounts appropriated for a 
        fiscal year and any other funding sources, including revenues 
        and other ancillary funding streams, for the Northeast Corridor 
        or the National Network.
    ``(e) Standards To Promote Financial Stability.--In preparing a 
plan under this section, the Board shall apply sound budgetary 
practices, including reducing costs and other expenditures, improving 
productivity, increasing revenues, or combinations of such practices.
    ``(f) Updates.--Amtrak shall provide monthly reports for the 
current fiscal year in electronic format to the Secretary and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the Senate regarding the items described in 
subsection (c)(1), which shall include a description of the work 
completed to date, any differences from projections, and the reasons 
for such differences.''.
    (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The table of sections for such 
chapter 243 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``24320. Five-year capital and operating plan.''.
    (c) Repeal.--Section 204 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note), and the item relating 
thereto in the table of contents of such Act, are repealed.

SEC. 203. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 247 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 24712. State-supported routes
    ``(a) State-Supported Route Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 
        2015, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a State-
        Supported Route Advisory Committee to promote mutual 
        cooperation and planning pertaining to the rail operations and 
        related activities of trains operated on State-supported routes 
        and to further implement section 209 of the Passenger Rail 
        Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note).
            ``(2) Membership.--The Committee shall consist of 
        representatives of--
                    ``(A) Amtrak;
                    ``(B) the Department of Transportation, including 
                the Federal Railroad Administration; and
                    ``(C) seven States that sponsor State-supported 
                routes, selected by the Administrator of the Federal 
                Railroad Administration on the basis of appropriate 
                expertise and geographic balance, and in a manner that 
                ensures that all appropriate States are represented 
                periodically on the Committee.
            ``(3) Distribution of membership.--The membership belonging 
        to any of the groups described in each individual subparagraph 
        of paragraph (2) shall not constitute a majority of the 
        Committee's memberships.
            ``(4) Meetings; rules and procedures.--The Committee shall 
        establish a schedule and location for convening meetings, but 
        shall meet no less than 2 times every fiscal year. The 
        Committee shall develop rules and procedures to govern the 
        Committee's proceedings.
    ``(b) Cost, Service, and Ridership Forecasts.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than January 31, 2016, and 
        annually thereafter, Amtrak shall transmit to each State that 
        sponsors a State-supported route, and to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the Senate--
                    ``(A) a final statement of costs, revenues, 
                ridership, and other information determined appropriate 
                by the Committee established under subsection (a), 
                pertaining to each such route for the prior fiscal 
                year; and
                    ``(B) a cost, service, and ridership forecast for 
                each such route for the upcoming fiscal year, developed 
                pursuant to the methodology established under section 
                209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement 
                Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note).
            ``(2) Exception.--The Committee may establish a different 
        deadline than is required under paragraph (1) for submission of 
        final financial statements and cost, service, and ridership 
        forecasts.
            ``(3) Quarterly updates.--Beginning in 2016, and each year 
        thereafter, Amtrak shall transmit to each State that sponsors a 
        State-supported route quarterly updates of the cost, service, 
        and ridership forecast described in paragraph (1)(B) to enable 
        States to pace costs against State budgets, plan effectively, 
        and address unexpected changes in costs in a timely manner, on 
        the following dates:
                    ``(A) April 30, for the period encompassing January 
                through March of such year.
                    ``(B) July 31, for the period encompassing April 
                through June of such year.
                    ``(C) October 31, for the period encompassing July 
                through September of such year.
    ``(c) Invoices.--Not later than February 15, 2016, and monthly 
thereafter, Amtrak shall provide to each State that sponsors a State-
supported route a monthly invoice of the cost of operating such route, 
including fixed costs and third-party costs.
    ``(d) Dispute Resolution.--
            ``(1) Request for expedited resolution.--If a dispute 
        arises with respect to a forecast developed under subsection 
        (b), an invoice developed under subsection (c), or the terms of 
        a contract for operation of a State-supported route negotiated 
        between Amtrak and a State that sponsors the route, either 
        Amtrak or the State may request that the Surface Transportation 
        Board conduct expedited dispute resolution under this 
        subsection.
            ``(2) Procedures.--The Surface Transportation Board shall 
        establish procedures for expedited resolution of disputes 
        brought before it under this subsection.
            ``(3) Binding effect.--The decision of the Surface 
        Transportation Board under this subsection shall be binding on 
        the parties to the dispute.
    ``(e) FRA Assistance.--The Federal Railroad Administration may 
provide assistance to the parties in the course of negotiations for a 
contract for operation of a State-supported route.
    ``(f) Performance Metrics.--In negotiating a contract for operation 
of a State-supported route, Amtrak and the State or States that sponsor 
the route shall consider including provisions that provide penalties 
and incentives for performance based on metrics that take into account 
only those factors within the control of Amtrak or the State or States.
    ``(g) Definition of State.--In this section, the term `State' means 
each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.''.
    (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The table of sections for such 
chapter 247 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``24712. State-supported routes.''.

SEC. 204. ROUTE AND SERVICE PLANNING DECISIONS.

    Section 208 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 208. METHODOLOGIES FOR AMTRAK ROUTE AND SERVICE PLANNING 
              DECISIONS.

    ``(a) Methodology Development.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 
2015, as a condition of receiving a grant under section 101 of such 
Act, Amtrak shall obtain the services of an independent entity to 
develop and recommend objective methodologies for Amtrak to use in 
determining what intercity rail passenger transportation routes and 
services it should provide, including the establishment of new routes, 
the elimination of existing routes, and the contraction or expansion of 
services or frequencies over such routes.
    ``(b) Considerations.--Amtrak shall require the entity, in 
developing the methodologies described in subsection (a), to consider--
            ``(1) the current and expected performance and service 
        quality of intercity rail passenger transportation operations, 
        including cost recovery, on-time performance, ridership, on-
        board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other 
        services;
            ``(2) connectivity of a route with other routes;
            ``(3) the transportation needs of communities and 
        populations that are not well served by intercity rail 
        passenger transportation service or by other forms of intercity 
        transportation;
            ``(4) the methodologies of Amtrak and major intercity rail 
        passenger transportation service providers in other countries 
        for determining intercity passenger rail routes and services;
            ``(5) the views of States, rail carriers that own 
        infrastructure over which Amtrak operates, Amtrak employee 
        representatives, and other interested parties; and
            ``(6) the funding levels that will be available under 
        authorization levels that have been enacted into law.
    ``(c) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, 
Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the recommendations 
developed by the entity pursuant to subsection (a).
    ``(d) Consideration of Recommendations.--Not later than 90 days 
after transmitting the recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), the 
Amtrak Board of Directors shall consider the adoption of the 
recommendations and transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing 
an explanation of any reasons for adopting or not adopting the 
recommendations.''.

SEC. 205. COMPETITION.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 24711 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 24711. Alternate passenger rail service pilot program
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, the 
Federal Railroad Administration shall complete a rulemaking proceeding 
to develop a pilot program that--
            ``(1) permits a rail carrier or rail carriers that own 
        infrastructure over which Amtrak operates a passenger rail 
        service route described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of 
        section 24102(7) or in section 24702(a) to petition the Federal 
        Railroad Administration to be considered as a passenger rail 
        service provider over that route in lieu of Amtrak for an 
        operations period of 5 years;
            ``(2) requires the Federal Railroad Administration to 
        notify Amtrak within 30 days after receiving a petition under 
        paragraph (1) and establish a deadline by which both the 
        petitioner and Amtrak would be required to submit a bid to 
        provide passenger rail service over the route to which the 
        petition relates;
            ``(3) requires that each bid describe how the bidder would 
        operate the route, what Amtrak passenger equipment would be 
        needed, if any, and what sources of non-Federal funding the 
        bidder would use, including any State subsidy, among other 
        things;
            ``(4) requires the Federal Railroad Administration to 
        execute a contract within a specified, limited time after the 
        deadline established under paragraph (2) and award to the 
        winning bidder--
                    ``(A) the right and obligation to provide passenger 
                rail service over that route subject to such 
                performance standards as the Federal Railroad 
                Administration may require; and
                    ``(B) an operating subsidy--
                            ``(i) for the first year at a level not in 
                        excess of 90 percent of the level in effect for 
                        that specific route during the fiscal year 
                        preceding the fiscal year in which the petition 
                        was received, adjusted for inflation; and
                            ``(ii) for any subsequent years at the 
                        level calculated under clause (i), adjusted for 
                        inflation; and
            ``(5) requires that each bid contain a staffing plan 
        describing the number of employees needed to operate the 
        service, the job assignments and requirements, and the terms of 
        work for prospective and current employees of the bidder for 
        the service outlined in the bid, and that such staffing plan be 
        made available by the winning bidder to the public after the 
        bid award.
    ``(b) Route Limitations.--The Federal Railroad Administration may 
not make the program available with respect to more than two Amtrak 
intercity passenger rail routes.
    ``(c) Performance Standards; Access to Facilities; Employees.--If 
the Federal Railroad Administration awards the right and obligation to 
provide passenger rail service over a route under this section to a 
rail carrier or rail carriers--
            ``(1) it shall execute a contract with the rail carrier or 
        rail carriers for rail passenger operations on that route that 
        conditions the operating and subsidy rights on--
                    ``(A) the service provider continuing to provide 
                passenger rail service on the route that is no less 
                frequent, nor over a shorter distance, than Amtrak 
                provided on that route before the award; and
                    ``(B) the service provider's compliance with the 
                standards established under subsection (a)(4)(A), and 
                such additional performance standards as the 
                Administration may establish;
            ``(2) it shall, if the award is made to a rail carrier 
        other than Amtrak, require Amtrak to provide access to its 
        reservation system, stations, and facilities directly related 
        to operations to any rail carrier or rail carriers awarded a 
        contract under this section, in accordance with subsection (d), 
        necessary to carry out the purposes of this section;
            ``(3) an employee of any person used by such rail carrier 
        or rail carriers in the operation of a route under this section 
        shall be considered an employee of that carrier or carriers and 
        subject to the applicable Federal laws and regulations 
        governing similar crafts or classes of employees of Amtrak, 
        including provisions under section 121 of the Amtrak Reform and 
        Accountability Act of 1997 (49 U.S.C. 4312 note) relating to 
        employees that provide food and beverage service; and
            ``(4) the winning bidder shall provide hiring preference to 
        qualified Amtrak employees displaced by the award of the bid, 
        consistent with the staffing plan submitted by the bidder, and 
        shall be subject to the grant conditions under section 24405 of 
        this title.
    ``(d) Disputes.--If Amtrak and the rail carrier or rail carriers 
awarded a route under this section cannot agree upon terms to carry out 
subsection (c)(2), and the Surface Transportation Board finds that 
access to Amtrak's facilities or equipment, or the provision of 
services by Amtrak, is necessary to carry out subsection (c)(2) and 
that the operation of Amtrak's other services will not be impaired 
thereby, the Surface Transportation Board shall, within 120 days after 
submission of the dispute, issue an order that the facilities and 
equipment be made available, and that services be provided, by Amtrak, 
and shall determine reasonable compensation, liability, and other terms 
for use of the facilities and equipment and provision of the services.
    ``(e) Cessation of Service.--If a rail carrier or rail carriers 
awarded a route under this section cease to operate the service or fail 
to fulfill their obligations under the contract required under 
subsection (c), the Federal Railroad Administration, in collaboration 
with the Surface Transportation Board, shall take any necessary action 
consistent with this title to enforce the contract and ensure the 
continued provision of service, including the installment of an interim 
service provider and rebidding the contract to operate the service. The 
entity providing service shall either be Amtrak or a rail carrier 
defined in subsection (a)(1).
    ``(f) Adequate Resources.--Before taking any action allowed under 
this section, the Secretary shall certify that the Federal Railroad 
Administration has sufficient resources appropriated under section 
101(b) of Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, or any 
subsequent appropriation, for that purpose that are adequate to 
undertake the program established under this section.
    ``(g) Budget Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
provide to a winning bidder selected under this section appropriations 
authorized under sections 101(b) of the Passenger Rail Reform and 
Investment Act of 2015, or any subsequent appropriation for the same 
purposes, necessary to cover the operating subsidy described in 
subsection (a)(4)(B).''.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the conclusion of the 
pilot program established under the amendment made by subsection (a), 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results on the pilot program established under section 
24711 of title 49 United States Code, and any recommendations for 
further action.

SEC. 206. FOOD AND BEVERAGE REFORM.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 24321. Food and beverage reform
    ``(a) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, Amtrak shall 
develop and begin implementing a plan to eliminate, within 5 years of 
such date of enactment, the operating loss associated with providing 
food and beverage service on board Amtrak trains.
    ``(b) Considerations.--In developing and implementing the plan, 
Amtrak shall consider a combination of cost management and revenue 
generation initiatives, including--
            ``(1) scheduling optimization;
            ``(2) on-board logistics;
            ``(3) product development and supply chain efficiency;
            ``(4) training, awards, and accountability;
            ``(5) technology enhancements and process improvements; and
            ``(6) ticket revenue allocation.
    ``(c) Savings Clause.--Amtrak shall ensure that no Amtrak employee 
holding a position as of the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail 
Reform and Investment Act of 2015 is involuntarily separated because 
of--
            ``(1) the development and implementation of the plan 
        required under subsection (a); or
            ``(2) any other action taken by Amtrak to implement this 
        section.
    ``(d) No Federal Funding for Operating Losses.--Beginning on the 
date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail 
Reform and Investment Act of 2015, no Federal funds may be used to 
cover any operating loss associated with providing food and beverage 
service on a route operated by Amtrak or an alternative passenger rail 
service provider that operates a route in lieu of Amtrak pursuant to 
section 24711.
    ``(e) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, and annually 
thereafter for 5 years, Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report containing the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) and a 
description of progress in the implementation of the plan.''.
    (b) Conforming 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:

``24321. Food and beverage reform.''.

SEC. 207. RIGHT-OF-WAY LEVERAGING.

    (a) Request for Proposals.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall issue a Request for Proposals 
seeking private sector persons or entities to utilize Amtrak-owned 
right-of-way for telecommunications systems, energy distribution 
systems, and other activities considered appropriate by Amtrak. The 
Request for Proposals shall provide sufficient information on Amtrak's 
right-of-way real estate assets to enable respondents to propose an 
arrangement that will monetize such assets through revenue sharing 
agreements with Amtrak.
    (b) Consideration of Proposals.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Amtrak Board of Directors shall 
review and consider each proposal submitted pursuant to subsection (a). 
Amtrak may enter into such agreements as are necessary to implement any 
such proposal or proposals.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the Request for Proposals required by this section, including 
summary information of any proposals submitted to Amtrak and any 
proposals accepted by the Amtrak Board of Directors.

SEC. 208. STATION DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Report on Development Options.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on options to enhance development around Amtrak 
stations, including--
            (1) strengthening multimodal connections, including 
        intercity buses;
            (2) options for capturing development-related revenue 
        streams; and
            (3) other opportunities to better leverage station assets.
    (b) Proposals.--
            (1) Request for proposals.--Not later than 18 months after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall issue a Request 
        for Proposals seeking persons or entities, including small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, to carry out the 
        options identified under subsection (a).
            (2) Consideration of proposals.--Not later than 24 months 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Amtrak Board of 
        Directors shall review and consider each proposal submitted 
        pursuant to paragraph (1). Amtrak may enter into such 
        agreements as are necessary to implement any such proposal or 
        proposals.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the Request for Proposals required by this section, including 
summary information of any proposals submitted to Amtrak and any 
proposals accepted by the Amtrak Board of Directors.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``small business 
concern'' and ``socially and economically disadvantaged individual'' 
have the meanings given such terms in section 305(c).

SEC. 209. AMTRAK DEBT.

    Section 205 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``, to the extent 
        provided in advance in appropriations Acts'' after ``Amtrak's 
        indebtedness'';
            (2) by striking ``as of the date of enactment of this Act'' 
        each place it appears;
            (3) in subsection (a), by striking the second sentence;
            (4) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Secretary of the 
        Treasury, in consultation'' and inserting ``To the extent 
        amounts are provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the 
        Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation'';
            (5) in subsection (d), by inserting ``, to the extent 
        provided in advance in appropriations Acts'' after ``as 
        appropriate'';
            (6) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``by section 102 of 
        this division''; and
            (7) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``by section 102'' 
        and inserting ``for Amtrak''.

SEC. 210. AMTRAK PILOT PROGRAM FOR PASSENGERS TRANSPORTING DOMESTICATED 
              CATS AND DOGS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, Amtrak shall develop a pilot program that allows 
passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain trains 
operated by Amtrak.
    (b) Pet Policy.--In developing the pilot program required under 
subsection (a), Amtrak shall--
            (1) in the case of a passenger train that is comprised of 
        more than one car, designate, where feasible, at least one car 
        in which a ticketed passenger may transport a domesticated cat 
        or dog in the same manner as carry-on baggage if--
                    (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
                    (B) the pet kennel is stowed in accordance with 
                Amtrak size requirements for carriage of carry-on 
                baggage;
                    (C) the passenger is traveling on a train operating 
                on a route described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) 
                of section 24102(7) of title 49, United States Code; 
                and
                    (D) the passenger pays a fee described in paragraph 
                (3);
            (2) allow a ticketed passenger to transport a domesticated 
        cat or dog on a train in the same manner as cargo if--
                    (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
                    (B) the pet kennel is stowed in accordance with 
                Amtrak requirements for cargo stowage;
                    (C) the passenger is traveling on a train operating 
                on a route described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) 
                of section 24102(7) of title 49, United States Code;
                    (D) the cargo area is temperature controlled in a 
                manner protective of cat and dog safety and health; and
                    (E) the passenger pays a fee described in paragraph 
                (3); and
            (3) collect fees for each cat or dog transported by a 
        ticketed passenger in an amount that, in the aggregate and at a 
        minimum, covers the full costs of the pilot program.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the pilot program required 
under subsection (a) is first implemented, Amtrak shall transmit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report containing an evaluation of the 
pilot program.
    (d) Limitation on Statutory Construction.--
            (1) Service animals.--The pilot program required under 
        subsection (a) shall be separate from and in addition to the 
        policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service 
        animals. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to limit or 
        waive the rights of passengers to transport service animals.
            (2) Additional train cars.--Nothing in this section may be 
        interpreted to require Amtrak to add additional train cars or 
        modify existing train cars.
            (3) Federal funds.--No Federal funds may be used to 
        implement the pilot program required under this section.

SEC. 211. AMTRAK BOARDING PROCEDURES.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Amtrak Office of Inspector General shall transmit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that--
            (1) evaluates Amtrak's boarding procedures for passengers, 
        including passengers using or transporting non-motorized 
        transportation such as wheelchairs and bicycles at its 10 
        stations through which the most people pass;
            (2) compares Amtrak's boarding procedures to--
                    (A) commuter railroad boarding procedures at 
                stations shared with Amtrak;
                    (B) international intercity passenger rail boarding 
                procedures; and
                    (C) fixed guideway transit boarding procedures; and
            (3) makes recommendations, as appropriate, to improve 
        Amtrak's boarding procedures, including recommendations 
        regarding the queuing of passengers and free-flow of all 
        station-users.
    (b) Consideration of Recommendations.--Not later than 6 months 
after the release of the report required under subsection (a), the 
Amtrak Board of Directors shall consider each recommendation provided 
under subsection (a)(3) for implementation across the Amtrak system.

               TITLE III--INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL POLICY

SEC. 301. FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR NORTHEAST CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT 
              AND IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 244 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 24407. Federal-State partnership for Northeast Corridor 
              rehabilitation and improvement
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall develop 
and implement a program for issuing grants to applicants, on a 
competitive basis, for the purpose of financing the capital projects 
included in the Northeast Corridor Priority Project List developed 
under subsection (c).
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
            ``(1) Applicant.--The term `applicant' means a State 
        (including the District of Columbia), a group of States, an 
        Interstate Compact, or a public agency established by one or 
        more States and having responsibility for providing intercity 
        passenger or commuter rail service.
            ``(2) Major state-of-good-repair project.--The term `major 
        state-of-good-repair project' means a capital project primarily 
        intended to replace, rehabilitate or repair major Northeast 
        Corridor infrastructure assets utilized for providing intercity 
        rail passenger transportation, including tunnels, bridges, 
        stations, and other assets as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Improvement project.--The term `improvement project' 
        means a capital project primarily intended to improve intercity 
        passenger rail performance on the Northeast Corridor, including 
        reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher 
        operating speeds, and other improvements as determined by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(c) Northeast Corridor Priority Project List.--The Northeast 
Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission, established 
under section 24905, shall develop and approve a Northeast Corridor 
Priority Project List that shall include--
            ``(1) a list of prioritized individual major state-of-good-
        repair projects and improvement projects along the Northeast 
        Corridor that--
                    ``(A) can be completed based on--
                            ``(i) the funding authorized under section 
                        103(b) of the Passenger Rail Reform and 
                        Investment Act of 2015;
                            ``(ii) any subsequent applicable 
                        authorization in effect;
                            ``(iii) in the absence of such an 
                        authorization, a 5-year funding amount based on 
                        the most recent appropriation; or
                            ``(iv) the requirements of subsection (d); 
                        and
                    ``(B) are consistent with the Northeast Corridor 
                capital investment plan required under section 
                24911(a);
            ``(2) an identification of the applicant for each 
        individual project;
            ``(3) an identification of the sources of non-Federal 
        matching funds for each project; and
            ``(4) a description of the benefits each project will bring 
        to intercity rail passenger services.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--The Federal grants authorized under this 
section shall be for no more than 50 percent of the net project cost of 
the project involved.
    ``(e) Applicability of Capital Grant Requirements.--Except as 
specifically provided in this section, the use of any amounts 
appropriated for grants under this section shall be subject to the 
requirements of this chapter.
    ``(f) Match Requirements.--No grants may be obligated to an 
applicant under this section unless the applicant has transmitted to 
the Secretary of Transportation a binding written commitment to provide 
all amounts necessary for the purpose of matching Federal contributions 
as required by this section.
    ``(g) Updates to List.--The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and 
Operations Advisory Commission shall revise the NEC Priority Project 
List as necessary to reflect--
            ``(1) any differences in the availability of Federal 
        funding from the levels assumed for purposes of subsection 
        (c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii);
            ``(2) any elimination or addition of projects; and
            ``(3) any reduction or increase in benefits to be derived 
        from a project.
    ``(h) Availability.--Amounts appropriated for carrying out this 
section shall remain available until expended.
    ``(i) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall supplant the 
requirement of applicants to compensate Amtrak for the use of Amtrak 
facilities or services pursuant to section 24905(c).
    ``(j) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`Northeast Corridor' means the Northeast Corridor main line between 
Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and the Northeast 
Corridor branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 
Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York, and 
facilities and services used to operate and maintain those lines.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 244 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new item:

``24407. Federal-State partnership for Northeast Corridor 
                            rehabilitation and improvement.''.

SEC. 302. RRIF IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations 
implementing the amendments made by this section.
    (b) Collateral.--Section 502(h)(2) of the Railroad Revitalization 
and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 822(h)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(2) The Secretary'' and inserting 
        ``(2)(A) The Secretary'';
            (2) by inserting ``The Secretary may subordinate rights of 
        the Secretary under any provision of title 49 or title 23 of 
        the United States Code, to the rights of the Secretary under 
        this section and section 503.'' after ``from another source.''; 
        and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) The Secretary shall, for purposes of making a finding under 
subsection (g)(4), accept the net present value on a future stream of 
State or local subsidy income or dedicated revenue as collateral 
offered to secure the loan.''.
    (c) Office of Management and Budget Review.--Section 502(i) of such 
Act (45 U.S.C. 822(i)) is amended by inserting ``In order to enable 
compliance with such time limit, the Office of Management and Budget 
shall take any actions required with respect to the application within 
such 90-day period.'' after ``disapprove the application.''.
    (d) RRIF Application.--Section 502(i) of such Act (45 U.S.C. 
822(i)) is further amended--
            (1) by striking ``Disapproval.--Not later than 90 days 
        after receiving'' and inserting ``Disapproval.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after an 
        application is determined pursuant to paragraph (2) to be''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(2) Completion of application.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures for making a determination, not later than 
        45 days after submission of an application under this section, 
        whether the application is complete. Such procedures shall--
                    ``(A) provide for a checklist of the required 
                components of a complete application;
                    ``(B) require the Secretary to provide to the 
                applicant a description of the specific components of 
                the application that remain incomplete if an 
                application is determined to be incomplete; and
                    ``(C) permit reapplication without prejudice for 
                applications determined to be incomplete.
            ``(3) Independent financial analyst.--The Secretary shall 
        assign an independent financial analyst within 45 days of 
        submittal of a complete application.''.
    (e) Positive Train Control.--Section 502(c)(1) of such Act (45 
U.S.C. 822(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, including projects for 
the installation of a positive train control (as defined in section 
20157(i) of title 49, United States Code) system'' after ``public 
safety''.
    (f) Report to Congress.--Section 502 of such Act (45 U.S.C. 822) is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report 
on the program under this section that provides information on loans 
approved and disapproved by the Secretary during the previous year. 
Such report shall not disclose the identity of direct loan or loan 
guarantee recipients. The report shall describe--
            ``(1) the number of pre-application meetings with potential 
        applicants;
            ``(2) the number of applications received and determined 
        complete under subsection (i)(2), including the requested loan 
        amounts;
            ``(3) the dates of receipt of applications;
            ``(4) the dates applications were determined complete under 
        subsection (i)(2);
            ``(5) the number of applications determined incomplete 
        under subsection (i)(2);
            ``(6) the final decision dates for both approvals and 
        disapprovals of applications;
            ``(7) the number of applications withdrawn from 
        consideration; and
            ``(8) the annual loan portfolio asset quality.''.

SEC. 303. NEC FAST FORWARD.

    (a) Northeast Corridor Authority.--Section 502(d) of the Railroad 
Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 822(d)) is 
amended by inserting ``40 percent shall be available solely for 
projects described in subsection (l)(1), and'' after ``Of this 
amount,''.
    (b) Northeast Corridor Fast Forward Program.--Section 502 of such 
Act is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(l) Northeast Corridor Fast Forward.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The Secretary, as part of the Railroad 
        Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program, shall provide 
        direct loans and loan guarantees to eligible entities described 
        in subsection (a) for capital projects to improve the Northeast 
        Corridor (as used in section 24911 of title 49, United States 
        Code).
            ``(2) Collateral.--Loans made or guaranteed under this 
        subsection shall require collateral equal to the loan amount 
        requested.
            ``(3) Investment grade rating.--A direct loan or loan 
        guarantee shall be made under this subsection only if a rating 
        agency has assigned an investment grade rating of BBB minus, 
        Baa3, bbb minus, BBB (low), (or equivalent) or higher to the 
        project obligation. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
        `rating agency' means a credit rating agency registered with 
        the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nationally 
        recognized statistical rating organization (as that term is 
        defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
        (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
            ``(4) Inclusion in nec planning.--Loans and loan guarantees 
        made under this subsection shall be for projects that are 
        included in the most recent 5-year budget and business plan 
        prepared pursuant to section 24911(a) of title 49, United 
        States Code.
            ``(5) Refinancing.--Loans made or guaranteed under this 
        subsection shall not be used for the refinancing of outstanding 
        debt incurred.
            ``(6) Cohort of loans.--Subsection (f)(4) shall not apply 
        to loans made or guaranteed under this subsection.''.
    (c) Report on Leveraging RRIF.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report identifying potential revenue 
sources, projects, and service improvements that could be achieved by 
the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b).
    (d) Conditions of Funding.--
            (1) Grants.--Section 24405 of title 49, United States Code, 
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``15 days'' and inserting ``30 
                days'' in subsection (a)(4)(B); and
                    (B) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
                following:
    ``(12) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a 
report listing any waiver issued under this section during the 
preceding year.''.
            (2) RRIF.--Section 502(h)(3) of the Railroad Revitalization 
        and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 822(h)(3)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (A);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) the requirements of section 24405(a) of title 49, 
        United States Code.''.

SEC. 304. LARGE CAPITAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 24402 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following subsection:
    ``(m) Large Capital Project Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--For a grant awarded under this chapter 
        for an amount in excess of $1,000,000,000, the following 
        conditions shall apply:
                    ``(A) The Secretary of Transportation shall not 
                obligate any funding unless the applicant demonstrates 
                to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has 
                committed and will be able to fulfill the non-Federal 
                share required for the grant within the applicant's 
                proposed project completion timetable.
                    ``(B) The Secretary shall not obligate any funding 
                for work activities that occur after the completion of 
                final design unless--
                            ``(i) the applicant transmits to the 
                        Secretary a financial plan that generally 
                        identifies the sources of the non-Federal 
                        funding required for any subsequent segments or 
                        phases of the corridor service development 
                        program covering the project for which the 
                        grant is made;
                            ``(ii) the grant will result in a useable 
                        segment, a transportation facility, or 
                        equipment, that has operational independence; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the intercity passenger rail 
                        benefits anticipated to result from the grant, 
                        such as increased speed, improved on-time 
                        performance, reduced trip time, increased 
                        frequencies, new service, safety improvements, 
                        improved accessibility, or other significant 
                        enhancements are detailed by the grantee and 
                        approved by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) The Secretary shall ensure that the project 
                is maintained to the level of utility that is necessary 
                to support the benefits approved under subparagraph 
                (B)(iii) for a period of 20 years from the date the 
                useable segment, transportation facility, or equipment 
                described in subparagraph (B)(ii) is placed in service. 
                If the project property is not maintained as required 
                by this subparagraph for a period of time in excess of 
                12 months, then a pro-rata share of the Federal 
                contribution, based upon the percentage remaining of 
                the 20-year period that commenced when the project 
                property was placed in service, shall be refunded.
            ``(2) Early work.--The Secretary may allow a grantee 
        subject to this subsection to engage in at-risk work activities 
        subsequent to the conclusion of final design where the 
        Secretary determines that such work activities are reasonable 
        and necessary.''.

SEC. 305. SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION STUDY.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
nationwide disparity and availability study on the availability and use 
of small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals and veteran-owned small 
businesses in publically funded intercity rail passenger transportation 
(as defined in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code) projects 
administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Small business concern.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``small business 
                concern'' means a small business concern as the term is 
                used in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632).
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``small business 
                concern'' does not include any concern or group of 
                concerns controlled by the same socially and 
                economically disadvantaged individual or individuals 
                that have average annual gross receipts during the 
                preceding 3 fiscal years in excess of $22,410,000, as 
                adjusted annually by the Secretary for inflation.
            (2) Socially and economically disadvantaged individual.--
        The term ``socially and economically disadvantaged individual'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 8(d) of the Small 
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting 
        regulations issued pursuant to that Act, except that women 
        shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged 
        individuals for purposes of this section.
            (3) Veteran-owned small business.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``veteran-owned small 
                business'' has the meaning given the term ``small 
                business concern owned and controlled by veterans'' in 
                section 3(q)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632(q)(3)).
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``veteran-owned small 
                business'' does not include any concern or group of 
                concerns controlled by the same veterans that have 
                average annual gross receipts during the preceding 3 
                fiscal years in excess of $22,410,000 as adjusted 
                annually by the Secretary for inflation.
    (d) Funding.--Of the total amount made available to the Office of 
the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the Federal 
Railroad Administration, for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, 
$3,000,000 shall be used to implement the requirements of this section.

SEC. 306. GULF COAST RAIL SERVICE WORKING GROUP.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Federal Railroad Administration shall convene a 
working group to evaluate the restoration of intercity rail passenger 
service in the Gulf Coast region between New Orleans, Louisiana, and 
Orlando, Florida.
    (b) Membership.--The working group shall consist of representatives 
of--
            (1) Amtrak;
            (2) the States along the proposed route or routes;
            (3) regional transportation planning organizations and 
        metropolitan planning organizations, municipalities, and 
        communities along the proposed route or routes, selected by the 
        Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration;
            (4) the Southern Rail Commission;
            (5) freight railroad carriers whose tracks may be used for 
        such service; and
            (6) other entities determined appropriate by the 
        Administrator.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The working group shall--
            (1) evaluate all options for restoring intercity rail 
        passenger service in the Gulf Coast region, including options 
        outlined in the report transmitted to Congress pursuant to 
        section 226 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement 
        Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432);
            (2) select a preferred option for restoring such service;
            (3) develop a prioritized inventory of capital projects and 
        other actions required to restore such service and cost 
        estimates for such projects or actions; and
            (4) identify Federal and non-Federal funding sources 
        required to restore such service, including options for 
        entering into public-private partnerships to restore such 
        service.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the working group shall transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure in the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate a 
report that includes--
            (1) the preferred option selected under subsection (c)(2) 
        and the reasons for selecting such option;
            (2) the information described in subsection (c)(3);
            (3) the funding sources identified under subsection (c)(4);
            (4) the costs and benefits of restoring intercity rail 
        passenger transportation in the region; and
            (5) any other information the working group determines 
        appropriate.

SEC. 307. MISCELLANEOUS.

    (a) Title 49 Amendments.--Title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in section 22106(b), by striking ``interest thereof'' 
        and inserting ``interest thereon'';
            (2) in section 24101(b), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (c)''; and
            (3) in section 24706--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``a 
                discontinuance under section 24704 or or'';
                    (B) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``section 
                24704 or''; and
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``section 24704 
                or''.
    (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The item relating to section 
24316 in the table of sections for chapter 243 of such title is amended 
by striking ``Plan to assist'' and inserting ``Plans to address needs 
of''.
    (c) Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act Amendments.--
Section 305 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting after ``equipment 
        manufacturers,'' the following: ``nonprofit organizations 
        representing employees who perform overhaul and maintenance of 
        passenger railroad equipment,'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``, and may establish a 
        corporation, which may be owned or jointly-owned by Amtrak, 
        participating States, or other entities, to perform these 
        functions''; and
            (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``and establishing a 
        jointly-owned corporation to manage that equipment''.

SEC. 308. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR EXPRESS SERVICE.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory 
Committee, in consultation with Amtrak, shall transmit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report that analyzes the implementation of nonstop, high-speed 
express passenger rail service between Washington, District of 
Columbia, and New York, New York, and between New York, New York, and 
Boston, Massachusetts. The report shall consider--
            (1) estimated trip time, ridership, revenue, total cost, 
        capacity, and other metrics for each service;
            (2) impacts on existing Amtrak and commuter rail services; 
        and
            (3) impacts on Northeast Corridor infrastructure.
    (b) Consideration.--Not later than 90 days after the transmittal of 
the report required under subsection (a), the Amtrak Board of Directors 
shall consider implementing such services.

                       TITLE IV--PROJECT DELIVERY

SEC. 401. PROJECT DELIVERY RULEMAKING.

    (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking to govern the 
Federal review, permitting, and approval or disapproval of--
            (1) freight railroad and intercity rail passenger 
        transportation infrastructure projects, including those that 
        are carried out or planned to be carried out with the use of 
        Federal funds administered by the Department of Transportation 
        through a grant, contract, loan, or other financing instrument; 
        and
            (2) commuter rail passenger transportation (as defined in 
        section 24102(3) of title 49, United States Code) 
        infrastructure projects that are funded in whole or in part 
        through a direct loan or loan guarantee under title V of the 
        Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 
        U.S.C. 801 et seq.).
    (b) Deadline.--The Secretary shall complete the rulemaking required 
under subsection (a) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act.
    (c) Requirements and Considerations.--The rulemaking under 
subsection (a) shall include procedures that--
            (1) reduce the aggregate time for review and permitting of 
        infrastructure projects described under subsection (a) while 
        preserving existing statutory requirements for public comment 
        or assessing the impact of a proposed project;
            (2) institutionalize or expand best practices or process 
        improvements that agencies are already implementing to improve 
        the efficiency of reviews;
            (3) identify high-performance attributes of infrastructure 
        projects described under subsection (a) that demonstrate how 
        projects seek to advance existing statutory and policy 
        objectives, thereby facilitating a more efficient review and 
        permitting process;
            (4) create a process to invite Federal agencies and State, 
        local, and tribal governments to participate in the review 
        process, expand coordination with such agencies and 
        governments, and require the identification as early as 
        practicable in the process of any--
                    (A) Federal agency or State, local, or tribal 
                government with jurisdiction over the project or 
                required by law to conduct or issue a review or make a 
                determination with regard to the project; and
                    (B) review, analysis, opinion, and permit, license, 
                or approval required for the project;
            (5) create process efficiencies, including--
                    (A) designating Federal agencies and State, local, 
                and tribal governments as cooperating and participating 
                agencies;
                    (B) conducting concurrent and integrated reviews, 
                analyses, opinions, and permits, licenses, or approvals 
                to the maximum extent practicable;
                    (C) establishing timelines, in coordination with 
                affected Federal agencies, for completion of those 
                reviews, analyses, opinions, and permits, licenses, or 
                approvals;
                    (D) developing a coordination plan and schedule, in 
                coordination with affected Federal agencies, for 
                participation in the review by Federal agencies, State, 
                local, and tribal governments, and the public; and
                    (E) implementing a process to effectively identify 
                and resolve issues that may affect completion of 
                reviews in a timely manner;
            (6) effectively engage the public and interested 
        stakeholders as early in the review process as possible;
            (7) include opportunities to use existing share-in-cost 
        authorities and other nonappropriated funding sources to 
        support early coordination and project review;
            (8) expand the use of information technology tools and 
        identify priority areas for information technology investment 
        to replace paperwork processes, enhance effective project 
        siting decisions, enhance interagency collaboration, and 
        improve the monitoring of project impacts and mitigation 
        commitments;
            (9) ensure that documents developed under the procedures 
        are adopted and used by other Federal agencies, and State, 
        local, and tribal governments, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, to eliminate redundancy and duplicative reviews;
            (10) include improvements to mitigation policies to provide 
        added predictability, facilitate landscape-scale mitigation 
        based on conservation plans and regional environmental 
        assessments, facilitate interagency mitigation plans where 
        appropriate, ensure accountability and long-term effectiveness 
        of mitigation activities, and utilize innovative mechanisms 
        where appropriate; and
            (11) develop a process for periodically considering 
        expansion of categorical exclusions for infrastructure projects 
        described under subsection (a) that conform to those of other 
        modal administrations.

SEC. 402. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF RAILROADS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
Federal agencies, including the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation 
Officers, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation 
Officers, and nongovernmental stakeholders representing the railroad 
industry and historic preservation concerns, shall--
            (1) administratively pursue program alternatives (as that 
        term is used in 36 CFR 800.14) to promote a consistent approach 
        in the treatment of railroad and rail-related properties for 
        historic preservation review under section 106 of the National 
        Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f); and
            (2) develop mechanisms for streamlining compliance with the 
        requirements of section 303 of title 49, United States Code, 
        for railroad and rail-related properties.
    (b) Considerations.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall--
            (1) consider, among other options, the development of--
                    (A) programmatic agreements, program comments, 
                exempted categories of undertakings, and guidance for 
                historic reviews under section 106 of the National 
                Historic Preservation Act (as those terms are used in 
                36 CFR 800.14); and
                    (B) programmatic evaluations, de minimis impact 
                determinations, and regulatory guidance for reviews 
                under section 303 of title 49, United States Code (as 
                those terms are used in 23 CFR 774); and
            (2) take into account, at a minimum--
                    (A) maintenance and repair of railroad and rail-
                related property;
                    (B) repair and replacement of bridges, structures, 
                or facilities in a like-for-like manner, or when the 
                bridge, structure, or facility is not a contributing 
                element of a historic district;
                    (C) safety-related projects, including 
                installation, maintenance, and repair of positive train 
                control systems;
                    (D) management of railroad and rail-related 
                properties that include both historic and non-historic 
                components;
                    (E) integration of reviews under section 106 of the 
                National Historic Preservation Act, reviews under 
                section 303 of title 49, United States Code, and 
                environmental reviews; and
                    (F) consistency in treatment of railroads 
                nationwide for historic preservation purposes.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. DEFINITION.

    For purposes of this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the 
Secretary of Transportation.

SEC. 502. TITLE 49 DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Title 49 Amendments.--Section 24102 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (7) through (11), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(5) `long-distance route' means a route described in 
        subparagraph (C) of paragraph (7).
            ``(6) `National Network' includes long-distance routes and 
        State-supported routes.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(12) `state-of-good-repair' means a condition in which 
        physical assets, both individually and as a system, are--
                    ``(A) performing at a level at least equal to that 
                called for in their as-built or as-modified design 
                specification during any period when the life cycle 
                cost of maintaining the assets is lower than the cost 
                of replacing them; and
                    ``(B) sustained through regular maintenance and 
                replacement programs.
            ``(13) `State-supported route' means a route described in 
        subparagraph (B) or (D) of paragraph (7), or in section 24702, 
        that is operated by Amtrak, excluding those trains operated by 
        Amtrak on the routes described in paragraph (7)(A).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 217 of the Passenger Rail 
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24702 note) is 
amended by striking ``24102(5)(D)'' and inserting ``24102(7)(D)''.

SEC. 503. STATE ACTION PLANS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall require--
            (1) each State, other than those States identified pursuant 
        to section 202 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (49 
        U.S.C. 22501 note), to develop and implement, not later than 18 
        months after the date of enactment of this Act, a State grade 
        crossing action plan; and
            (2) each State that was identified pursuant to section 202 
        of such Act to update its plan and submit to the Secretary, not 
        later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a 
        report describing what the State did to implement the plan.
    (b) Contents.--Each plan required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) identify specific solutions for improving safety at 
        crossings, including highway-rail grade crossing closures or 
        grade separations; and
            (2) focus on crossings that have experienced recent grade 
        crossing accidents or multiple accidents, or are at high risk 
        for accidents.
    (c) Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to the 
States in developing and carrying out, as appropriate, the plan 
required under subsection (a).
    (d) Conditions.--The Secretary may condition the awarding of any 
grants under section 103 of this Act to a State on the development of 
such State's grade crossing action plan.
    (e) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make each plan and 
report publicly available on an official Internet Web site.

SEC. 504. QUIET ZONE REPORT.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General shall transmit to Congress a report evaluating 
the rule issued by the Federal Railroad Administration on the use of 
locomotive horn at rail crossings. Such report shall--
            (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the rule in reducing 
        accidents and fatalities at rail crossings;
            (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the rule in establishing 
        quiet zones;
            (3) identify any barriers to the establishment of quiet 
        zones; and
            (4) estimate the costs associated with their establishment.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 4, 2015.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.