[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8615 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8615

  To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for 
 Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail 
                     yards, and for other purposes.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 29, 2022

 Mr. Johnson of South Dakota introduced the following bill; which was 
     referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

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                                 A BILL


 
  To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for 
 Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail 
                     yards, 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. LIMITATION OF PREFERENCE FOR AMTRAK.

    Section 24308(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Except in an emergency'' and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) or 
        paragraph (3) or in an emergency''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Limitation of preference.--Beginning on the date of 
        enactment of this paragraph and ending on the date that is 5 
        years after such date, intercity and commuter rail passenger 
        transportation provided by or for Amtrak shall not have 
        preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, 
        junction, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or crossing 
        is located within 50 miles of a port or rail yard.
            ``(3) Waiver by secretary.--The Secretary may issue such 
        regulations as are necessary to continue the preference waiver 
        described in paragraph (2).''.
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