REGIONAL RAIL REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1973
Public Law 93-236, as amended
REGIONAL RAIL REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1973
236
105–178
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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EN
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Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973
1802
93
1974-01-02
REGIONAL RAIL REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1973
[Public Law 93-236]
[As Amended Through P.L. 105–178, Enacted June 9, 1998]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 93-236. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To authorize and direct the maintenance of adequate and efficient rail services in the Midwest and Northeast region of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That this Act, divided into titles and sections according to the following table of contents, may be cited as the “Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973”.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE I—
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 101.
Declaration of policy.
Sec. 102.
Definitions.
TITLE II—
UNITED STATES RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
Sec. 201.
Formation and structure.
Sec. 202.
Functions of the Association.
Sec. 203.
Access to information.
Sec. 204.
Report.
Sec. 205.
Rail Services Planning Office.1
^1
The item relating to section 205 should probably be repealed.
Sec. 206.
Final system plan.
Sec. 207.
Adoption of final system plan.
Sec. 208.
Review by Congress.
Sec. 209.
Judicial review.
Sec. 210.
Obligations of the Association.
Sec. 211.
Loans.
Sec. 212.
Records, audit, and examination.
Sec. 213.
Emergency assistance pending implementation.
Sec. 214.
Authorization for appropriations.
Sec. 215.
Maintenance and improvement of plant.2
^2
Probably should be “Interim agreements.”.
Sec. 216.
Purchase of debentures and series A preferred stock.3
^3
Probably should be “Debentures and series A preferred stock.”.
Sec. 217.
Additional purchases of Series A preferred stock.
Sec. 218.
United States Railway Association reports.
Sec. 219.
Advisory Board.
TITLE III—
CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION
Sec. 301.
Formation and structure.
Sec. 302.
Powers and duties of the Corporation.
Sec. 303.
Valuation and conveyances of rail properties.
Sec. 304.
Termination and continuation of rail services.
Sec. 305.
Continuing reorganization; supplemental transactions.
Sec. 306.
Certificates of value.
Sec. 307.
Protection of Federal funds.
Sec. 308.
Abandonments.
TITLE IV—
TRANSFER OF FREIGHT SERVICE
[Repealed by Section 4033(a)(1) of Public Law 99–509]
TITLE V—
EMPLOYEE PROTECTION
[Repealed Aug. 13, 1981, P.L. 97–35, Sec. 1144, 95 Stat. 669]
TITLE VI—
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 601.
Relationship to other laws.
Sec. 602.
Annual evaluation by the Secretary.1
^1
The items relating to sections 602 and 603 probably should be repealed.
Sec. 603.
Freight rates for recyclables.1
^1
So in law. The period probably should have been a semicolon.
Sec. 604.
Separability.
Sec. 605.
Duty of transferee.2
^2
Probably should be “Tax payments to States.”.
TITLE VII—
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES
Sec. 701.
Employee protection agreement.3
^3
Public Law 99–509, section 4024(c) repealed section 701, without repealing the item relating to section 701 in the table of contents.
Sec. 702.
Termination allowance.
Sec. 703.
Preferential hiring.
Sec. 704.
Central register of railroad employment.
Sec. 705.
Election and treatment of benefits.
Sec. 706.
Assignment of work.
Sec. 707.
Contracting out.
Sec. 708.
New collective bargaining agreements.
Sec. 709.
Employee and personal injury claims.
Sec. 710.
Limitations on liability.
Sec. 711.
Preemption.
Sec. 712.
Factfinding panel.
Sec. 713.
Class II railroads receiving Federal assistance.
Sec. 714.
Arbitration.
TITLE I—

GENERAL PROVISIONS

declaration of policy
Sec. 101.
(a)

Findings.—
The Congress finds and declares that—
(1)
Essential rail service in the midwest and northeast region of the United States is provided by railroads which are today insolvent and attempting to undergo reorganization under the Bankruptcy Act.
(2)
This essential rail service is threatened with cessation or significant curtailment because of the inability of the trustees of such railroads to formulate acceptable plans of reorganization. This rail service is operated over rail properties which were acquired for a public use, but which have been permitted to deteriorate and now require extensive rehabilitation and modernization.
(3)
The public convenience and necessity require adequate and efficient rail service in this region and throughout the Nation to meet the needs of commerce, the national defense, the environment, and the service requirements of passengers, United States mail, shippers, States and their political subdivisions, and consumers.
(4)
Continuation and improvement of essential rail service in this region is also necessary to preserve and maintain adequate national rail services and an efficient national rail transportation system.
(5)
Rail service and rail transportation offer economic and environmental advantages with respect to land use, air pollution, noise levels, energy efficiency and conservation, resource allocation, safety, and cost per ton-mile of movement to such extent that the preservation and maintenance of adequate and efficient rail service is in the national interest.
(6)
These needs cannot be met without substantial action by the Federal Government.
(b)

Purposes.—
It is therefore declared to be the purpose of Congress in this Act to provide for—
(1)
the identification of a rail service system in the midwest and northeast region which is adequate to meet the needs and service requirements of this region and of the national rail transportation system;
(2)
the reorganization of railroads in this region into an economically viable system capable of providing adequate and efficient rail service to the region;
(3)
the establishment of the United States Railway Association, with enumerated powers and responsibilities;
(4)
the establishment of the Consolidated Rail Corporation, with enumerated powers and responsibilities;
(5)
assistance to States and local and regional transportation authorities for continuation of local rail services threatened with cessation; and
(6)
necessary Federal financial assistance at the lowest possible cost to the general taxpayer.
[45 U.S.C. 701]

definitions
Sec. 102.
As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
(1)
“Association” means the United States Railway Association, established under section 201 of this Act;
(2)
“Commission” means the Interstate Commerce Commission;
(3)
“Commuter authority” means any State, local, or regional authority, corporation, or other entity established for purposes of providing commuter service, and includes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, any successor agencies, and any entity created by one or more such agencies for the purpose of operating, or contracting for the operation of, commuter service;
(4)
“Commuter service” means short-haul rail passenger service operated in metropolitan and suburban areas, whether within or across the geographical boundaries of a State, usually characterized by reduced fare, multiple-ride, and commutation tickets, and by morning and evening peak period operations;
(5)
“Corporation” means the Consolidated Rail Corporation required to be established under section 301 of this Act or its successor by merger, consolidation or other form of succession carried out under applicable law for the purpose of changing the State of its incorporation;
(6)
“effective date of the final system plan” means the date on which the final system plan or any revised final system plan is deemed approved by Congress, in accordance with section 208 of this Act;
(7)
“employees stock ownership plan” means a technique of corporate finance that uses a stock bonus trust or a company stock money purchase pension trust which qualifies under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 401(a)) in connection with the financing of corporate improvements, transfers in the ownership of corporate assets, and other capital requirements of a corporation and which is designed to build beneficial equity ownership of shares in the employer corporation into its employees substantially in proportion to their relative incomes, without requiring any cash outlay, any reduction in pay or other employee benefits, or the surrender of any other rights on the part of such employees;
(8)
“final system plan” means the plan of reorganization for the restructure, rehabilitation, and modernization of railroads in reorganization prepared pursuant to section 206 and approved pursuant to section 208 of this Act;
(9)
“Finance Committee” means the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Association established under section 201(i) of this Act;
(10)
“includes” and variants thereof should be read as if the phrase “but is not limited to” were also set forth;
(11)
“local or regional transportation authority” includes a political subdivision of a State.1
(12)
“Office” means the Rail Services Planning Office established under section 205 of this Act;
(13)
“profitable railroad” means a railroad which is not a railroad in reorganization. The term does not include the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region;
(14)
“rail properties” means assets or rights owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a railroad (or a person owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a railroad) which are used or useful in rail transportation service; except that the term, when used in conjunction with the phrase “railroads leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization”, shall not include assets or rights owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a Class I railroad which is not wholly owned, operated, or leased by a railroad in reorganization but is controlled by a railroad in reorganization;
(15)
“railroad” means a rail carrier subject to part A of subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code. The term includes the Corporation and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation;
(16)
“railroad in reorganization” means a railroad which is subject to a bankruptcy proceeding and which has not been determined by a court to be reorganizable or not subject to reorganization pursuant to this Act as prescribed in section 207(b) of this Act. A “bankruptcy proceeding” includes a proceeding pursuant to section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) and an equity receivership or equivalent proceeding;
(17)
“Region” means the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois; the District of Columbia; and those portions of contiguous States in which are located rail properties owned or operated by railroads doing business primarily in the aforementioned jurisdictions (as determined by the Commission by order);
(17A)
“sale date” means the date on which the initial public offering of the securities of the Corporation is closed under the Conrail Privatization Act;
(18)
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation or the designated representative of the Secretary;
(19)
“State” means any State or the District of Columbia;
(20)
“subsidiary” means any corporation 100 percent of whose total combined voting shares are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Corporation; and
(21)
“supplemental transaction” means any transaction set forth in a proposal under section 305 of this Act under section 303(b) of this Act, under which the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof would (A) acquire rail properties not designated for transfer or conveyance to it under the final system plan, (B) convey rail properties to a profitable railroad, a subsidiary of the Corporation or, other than as designated in the final system plan, to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation or to a State or a local or regional transportation authority, or to any other responsible person for use in providing rail service, or (C) enter into contractual or other arrangements with any person for the joint use of rail properties or the coordination or separation of rail operations or services.
[45 U.S.C. 702]
TITLE II—

UNITED STATES RAILWAY ASSOCIATION

formation and structure
Sec. 201.
(a)

Establishment.—
There is established in accordance with the provisions of this section, an incorporated nonprofit association to be known as the United States Railway Association.
(b)

Administration.—
The Association shall be directed by a Board of Directors. The individuals designated, pursuant to subsection (d)(2) of this section, as the Government members of such Board shall be deemed the incorporators of the Association and shall take whatever steps are necessary to establish the Association, including filing of articles of incorporation, and serving as an acting Board of Directors for a period of not more than 45 days after the date of incorporation of the Association.
(c)

Status.—
The Association shall be a government corporation of the District of Columbia subject, to the extent not inconsistent with this title, to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (D.C. Code, sec. 29–1001 et seq.). Except as otherwise provided, employees of the Association shall not be deemed employees of the Federal Government. The Association shall have succession until dissolved by Act of Congress, shall maintain its principal office in the District of Columbia, and shall be deemed to be a resident of the District of Columbia with respect to venue in any legal proceeding.
(d)

Board of Directors.—
(1)
The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of five individuals, as follows:
(A)
The Chairman, who shall be the individual serving as Chairman on the effective date of this subsection, until the expiration of his term of office or his resignation, or his replacement, who shall be selected by the outgoing Chairman and the other members of the Board.
(B)
The Secretary of Transportation.
(C)
The Comptroller General of the United States.
(D)
The Chairman of the Commission.
(E)
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(2)
The Chairman may not have any employment or other direct financial relationship with any freight railroad. The Chairman shall receive $300 per diem when engaged in the actual performance of his duties plus reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such duties.
(e)

Term of Office.—
The term of office of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association shall expire on December 31, 1987. The Chairman may be reappointed and the term of the Chairman shall be 3 years.
(f)

Quorum.—
Three members of the Board of Directors, or their representatives, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any function of the Association.
(g)
The Board of Directors shall, on the effective date of this subsection, assume the functions previously performed by the Finance Committee.
(h)
The members of the Board of Directors may send representatives to meetings of such Board, and such representatives may exercise full powers of the members.
(g)1

Miscellaneous.—
(1)
The Association shall have a seal which shall be judicially recognized.
^1
As designated by section 1147 of P.L. 97–35; probably should have been designated as subsection (i).
(2)
The Administrator of General Services shall furnish the Association with such offices, equipment, supplies, and services as he is authorized to furnish to any other agency or instrumentality of the United States.
(3)
The Secretary is authorized to transfer to the Association or the Corporation rights in intellectual property which are directly related to the conduct of the functions of the Association or the Corporation, to the extent that the Federal Government has such rights and to the extent that transfer is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(4)
Any reference in this Act to the Chairman of the Commission is to the Chairman of the Commission or the person who is at the time performing the duties of the Chairman of the Commission in accordance with law.
(h)1

Use of Names.—
No person, except the Association, shall hereafter use the words “United States Railway Association” as a name for any business purpose. Violations of this provision may be enjoined by any court of general jurisdiction in an action commenced by the Association. In any such action, the Association may recover any actual damages flowing from such violation, and, in addition, shall be entitled to punitive damages (regardless of the existence or nonexistence of actual damage) in an amount not to exceed $100 for each day during which such violation was committed. The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over actions brought under this subsection, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties.
^1
As designated by section 1147 of P.L. 97–35; probably should have been designated as subsection (j).
[45 U.S.C. 711]

functions of the association
Sec. 202.
(a)

General.—
The Association is authorized to—
(1)
monitor the financial performance of the Corporation;
(2)
review whether the goals and requirements of this Act are met;
(3)
purchase or otherwise acquire or receive, and hold and dispose of securities (whether debt or equity) of the Corporation under sections 216 and 217 of this Act and exercise all of the rights, privileges, and powers of a holder of any such securities;
(4)
purchase accounts receivable of the Corporation in accordance with section 217 of this Act; and
(5)
appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as the Association considers necessary and appropriate.
(11)2
determine the value of the Alaska Railroad, as required by section 605 of the Alaska Railroad Transfer Act of 1982.
^2
As added by section 605(e) of the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982: probably should have been designated paragraph (6).
(b)

Investment of Funds.—
Uncommitted funds of the Association shall be kept in cash on hand or on deposit, or invested in obligations of the United States or guaranteed thereby, or in obligations, participations, or other investments which are lawful investments for fiduciary, trust, or public funds.
(c)

Exemption From Taxation.—
The Association, including its franchise, capital reserves, surplus, security holdings, and income shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United States, any commonwealth, territory, dependency, or possession thereof, or by any State or political subdivision thereof, except that any real property of the Association shall be subject to taxation to the same extent according to its value as other real property is taxed.
(d)

Reports.—
(1)1
The Association shall transmit to the Congress and the President, not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a comprehensive and detailed report on all activities of the Association during the preceding fiscal year. Each such report shall include (A) the Association's statement of specific and detailed objectives for the activities and programs conducted and assisted under this Act; (B) statements of the Association's conclusions as to the effectiveness of such activities and programs in meeting the stated objectives and the purposes of this Act, measured through the end of the preceding fiscal year; (C) recommendations with respect to any legislation or administrative action which the Association deems necessary or desirable; (D) a statistical compilation of the obligations issued, certificates of value issued, securities purchased, and loans made under this Act; (E) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the Association, in order of priority; (F) all other information required to be submitted to the Congress pursuant to any other provision of this Act; and (G) the Association's projections and plans for its activities and programs during the next fiscal year.
^1
The paragraph (1) designation was supplied editorially.
(2)
For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1977, and ending September 30, 1978, the Association shall transmit to the Congress and the President, not later than 30 days after the end of each quarter of such fiscal year, a comprehensive and detailed report on all expenditures and use of funds during the preceding fiscal quarter, including an assessment of the status of projects for such preceding fiscal quarter and a projection of activities proposed for the next fiscal quarter.
(3)
The Association shall transmit to the Congress, no later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report with respect to the proceedings before the special court to determine the valuation of rail properties conveyed to the Corporation under section 303 of this Act. Each such report shall include—
(A)
a detailed accounting of the Federal funds expended during such quarter in connection with such proceedings, and the purposes for which such funds were expended;
(B)
an explanation of the status of such proceedings, including the prospects for settlement or conclusion; and
(C)
an identification of which responsibilities in connection with such proceedings are being carried out directly by the Association, and which are being carried out by contract with private organizations.
(e)

Budget.—
The receipts and disbursements of the Association (other than administrative expenses referred to in subsection (g)1 of this section and receipts and disbursements under section 216 of this title and section 306 of this Act) in the discharge of its functions shall not be included in the totals of the budget of the United States Government, and shall be exempt from any annual expenditure and net lending (budget outlays) limitations imposed on a budget of the United States Government. The Chairman of the Association shall transmit annually to the Congress a budget for program activities and for administrative expenses of the Association. The Chairman shall report annually to the Congress the amount of net lending of the Association, which would be included in the totals of the budgets of the United States Government, if the Association's activities were not excluded from those totals as a result of this section.
^1
Probably should read “subsection (f)”.
(f)

Accountability.—
(1)
Section 201 of the Government Corporation Control Act (31 U.S.C. 856) is amended by striking out “and” at the end of clause (6) and by inserting immediately before the period at the end thereof the following: “, (8) the United States Railway Association”.
(2)
The Chairman of the Association shall transmit annually to the Office of Management and Budget a budget for administrative expenses of the Association. Whenever the Association submits any budget estimate or request to the Office of Management and Budget, it shall concurrently transmit a copy of the estimate or request to the Congress. Within budgetary constraints of the Congress, the maximum feasible and prudent budgetary flexibility shall be provided to the Association to permit effective operations.
(g)

Transfer of Litigation.—
No later than March 1, 1980, the Association and the Attorney General of the United States shall develop and submit to the Congress a feasibility study for the transfer, to the appropriate department or agency of the Federal Government, of all responsibility for representing the United States in the proceedings before the special court to determine the valuation of rail properties conveyed to the Corporation under section 303 of this Act.
(h)

Transfer of Other Functions.—
No later than March 1, 1980, the Association and the Secretary of Transportation shall develop and submit to the Congress a feasibility study for the transfer of all functions of the Association, other than those referred to in subsection (h)1 of this section, to the appropriate department or agency of the Federal Government, including the abolition of those functions which will no longer be necessary.
^1
Probably should read “subsection (g)”.
(i)

Monitoring of Contractors.—
The Board of Directors of the Association shall adopt procedures to insure (1) that contractors, including law firms, provide reports containing written verification of tasks assigned, work performed, time worked, and costs incurred, including periodic status reports on work performed, (2) that such reports are audited by the Association, (3) that no funds are paid to contractors without written reports complying with the requirements of this subsection, and (4) that the Association applies such procedures uniformly to all contractors.
[45 U.S.C. 712]

access to information
Sec. 203.
The Corporation shall make available to the Association such information as the Association determines necessary for the Association to carry out its functions under this Act. The Association shall request from other parties which are affected by this Act information which will enable the Association to fulfill its functions under this Act.
[45 U.S.C. 713]

report
Sec. 204.
(a)

Preparation.—
Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a comprehensive report containing his conclusions and recommendations with respect to the geographic zones within the region in and between which rail service should be provided and the criteria upon which such conclusions and recommendations are based. The Secretary may use as a basis for the identification of such geographic zones the standard metropolitan statistical areas, groups of such areas, counties, or groups of counties having similar economic characteristics such as mining, manufacturing, or farming.
(b)

Submission.—
The Secretary shall submit the report required by subsection (a) of this section to the Office, the Association, the Governor and public utilities commission of each State studied in the report, local governments, consumer organizations, environmental groups, the public, and the Congress. The Secretary shall further cause a copy of the report to be published in the Federal Register.
[45 U.S.C. 714]
[Section 205 repealed by section 4(b) of Public Law 95–473 (92 Stat. 1466).]

final system plan
Sec. 206.
(a)

Goals.—
The final system plan shall be formulated in such a way as to effectuate the following goals:
(1)
the creation, through a process of reorganization, of a financially self-sustaining rail and express service system in the region;
(2)
the establishment and maintenance of a rail service system adequate to meet the rail transportation needs and service requirements of the region;
(3)
the establishment of improved high-speed rail passenger service, consonant with the recommendations of the Secretary in his report of September 1971, entitled “Recommendations for Northeast Corridor Transportation”;
(4)
the preservation, to the extent consistent with other goals, of existing patterns of service by railroads (including short-line and terminal railroads), and of existing railroad trackage in areas in which fossil fuel natural resources are located, and the utilization of those modes of transportation in the region which require the smallest amount of scarce energy resources and which can most efficiently transport energy resources;
(5)
the retention and promotion of competition in the provision of rail and other transportation services in the region;
(6)
the attainment and maintenance of any environmental standards, particularly the applicable national ambient air quality standards and plans established under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970, taking into consideration the environmental impact of alternative choices of action;
(7)
the movement of passengers and freight in rail transportation in the region in the most efficient manner consistent with safe operation, including the requirements of commuter and intercity rail passenger service; the extent to which there should be coordination with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and similar entities; and the identification of all short-to-medium distance corridors in densely populated areas in which the major upgrading of rail lines for high-speed passenger operation would return substantial public benefits; and
(8)
the minimization of job losses and associated increases in unemployment and community benefit costs in areas in the region presently served by rail service.
(b)

Factors.—
The final system plan shall be based upon due consideration of all factors relevant to the realization of the goals set forth in subsection (a) of this section. Such factors include the need for and the cost of rehabilitation and modernization of track, equipment, and other facilities; methods of achieving economies in the cost of rail operations in the region; means of achieving rationalization of rail services and the rail service system in the region; marketing studies; the impact on railroad employees; consumer needs; traffic analyses; financial studies; and any other factors identified by the Association under section 202(b) of this title or in the report of the Secretary required under section 204(a) of this title.
(c)

Designations.—
The final system plan shall designate—
(1)
which rail properties of railroads in reorganization in the region or of railroads leased, operated, or controlled by any railroad in reorganization in the region—
(A)
shall be transferred to the Corporation: Provided, That the Corporation shall, within 95 days after the effective date of the final system plan, give notice to the Association of which such rail properties, if any, are to be transferred to a subsidiary of the Corporation in the event that the Board of Directors of the Association finds that such transfer would be consistent with the final system plan;
(B)
shall be offered for sale to a profitable railroad operating in the region and, if such offer is accepted, operated by such railroad; the plan shall designate what additions shall be made to the designation under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and what alternative designations shall be made under this paragraph in the event such profitable railroad fails to accept such offer;
(C)
shall be purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired from the Corporation by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation in accordance with the exercise of its option under section 601(d) of this Act for improvement to achieve the goal set forth in subsection (a)(3) of this section;
(D)
may be purchased or leased from the Corporation by (i) a State or a local or regional transportation authority to meet the needs of commuter and intercity rail passenger service, or (ii) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to meet the needs of improved rail passenger service over intercity routes, other than properties designated pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; and
(E)
if not otherwise required to be operated by the Corporation, a government entity, or a responsible person, are suitable for use for other public purposes, including highways, other forms of transportation, conservation, energy transmission, education or health care facilities, or recreation. In carrying out this subparagraph, the Association shall solicit the views and recommendations of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies of the Federal Government and of the States and political subdivisions thereof within the region, and the general public; and
(2)
which rail properties of profitable railroads operating in the region may be offered for sale to the Corporation or to other profitable railroads operating in the region subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (d) of this section. Any rail properties designated to be offered for sale to the Corporation may be sold instead to a subsidiary of the Corporation.
(d)

Transfers.—
All transfers or conveyances pursuant to the final system plan shall be made in accordance with, and subject to, the following principles:
(1)
All rail properties to be transferred to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof by a profitable railroad, by trustees of a railroad in reorganization, or by any railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region, shall be transferred in exchange for stock and other securities of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof (including obligations of the Association) and the other benefits accruing to such railroad by reason of such transfer.
(2)
All rail properties to be conveyed to a profitable railroad operating in the region by trustees of a railroad in reorganization, or by any railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region, shall be conveyed in exchange for compensation from the profitable railroad.
(3)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no acquisition under this Act shall be made by any profitable railroad operating in the region without a determination with respect to each such transaction and all such transactions cumulatively (A) by the Association, upon adoption and release of the preliminary system plan, that such acquisition or acquisitions will not materially impair the profitability of any other profitable railroad operating in the region or of the Corporation, and (B) by the Commission, which shall be made within 90 days after adoption and release by the Association of the preliminary system plan, that such acquisition or acquisitions will be in full accord and comply with the provisions and standards of section 5 of part I of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 5). All determinations made by the Association in the correction to the preliminary system plan published on April 11, 1975 (40 Fed. Reg. 16377), shall be treated for all purposes as if they had been made upon adoption and release by the Association of the preliminary system plan. All determinations made by the Commission with respect to such correction shall be treated for all purposes as if they had been made within 90 days after adoption and release by the Association of the preliminary system plan. All determinations made by the Commission with respect to acquisitions by profitable railroads referred to in any supplement to the preliminary system plan published under section 207(b)(2) of this title shall be deemed to be timely if made prior to the adoption of the final system plan under section 207(c) of this title. The determination by the Association shall not be reviewable in any court. The determination by the Commission shall not be reviewable in any court.
(4)
Where the final system plan designates specified rail properties of a railroad in reorganization in the region, or of a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region, to be offered for sale to and operated by a profitable railroad operating in the region, such designation shall terminate 7 days after the date of the enactment of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 unless, prior to such date, such profitable railroad has notified the Association in writing of its acceptance of such offer. Any such offer may be modified until the date of acceptance thereof, unless such modification results in an offer for the sale of rail properties at less than the net liquidation value thereof. Where the final system plan designates specified rail properties of a profitable railroad operating in the region as authorized to be offered for sale or lease to the Corporation or to other profitable railroads operating in the region, such designation and authorization shall terminate 95 days after the effective date of the final system plan unless, prior to such date, a binding agreement with respect to such properties has been entered into and concluded.
(5)
All properties—
(A)
transferred by the Corporation pursuant to sections 206(c)(1)(C) and 601(d) of this Act;
(B)
transferred by the Corporation to any State (or local or regional transportation authority), pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(D) of this section, or
(C)
transferred by the Corporation to any State, local or regional transportation authority, or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, within 3 years after the date of conveyance, pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, to meet the needs of commuter or intercity rail passenger service,
shall be transferred at a value related to the value received from the Corporation pursuant to the final system plan for the transfer to such Corporation of such properties. The value of any such properties, which are transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of this paragraph, shall be adjusted to reflect the value attributable to any applicable maintenance and improvement provided by the Corporation (to the extent the Corporation has not been released from the obligation to pay for such improvements) and the cost to the Corporation of transferring such properties. The Corporation, its Board of Directors, and its individual directors shall not be liable to any party, for money damages or in any other manner, solely by reason of the fact that the Corporation transferred property pursuant to section 303 of this Act to meet the needs of commuter or intercity rail passenger service or for purposes of providing rail marine freight floating service, except as otherwise provided with respect to the Corporation pursuant to section 303(c)(2) of this Act.
(6)
Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in the final system plan, a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) shall not be required to deliver to the Corporation a firm commitment to acquire rail properties designated to such State or authority prior to 7 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph.
(7)
Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the options conveyed to the Corporation by railroads in reorganization, or railroads leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization, with respect to the acquisition by the Corporation pursuant to the final system plan, on behalf of a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) of rail properties designated under section 206(c)(1)(D) of this title, such options shall not be deemed to have expired prior to 7 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph. The exercise by the Corporation of any such option shall be effective if it is made, prior to the expiration of such 7-day period, in the manner prescribed in such options.
(e)

Corporation Features.—
The final system plan shall set forth—
(1)
pro forma earnings for the Corporation, as reasonably projected and considering the additions or changes in the designation of rail properties to be operated by the Corporation which may be made under subsection (d)(4) of this section;
(2)
the capital structure of the Corporation, based on the pro forma earnings of the Corporation as set forth, including such debt capitalization as shall be reasonably deemed to conform to the requirements of the public interest with respect to railroad debt securities, including the adequacy of coverage of fixed charges; and
(3)
the manner in which employee stock ownership plans may, to the extent practicable, be utilized for meeting the capitalization requirements of the Corporation, taking into account (A) the relative cost savings compared to conventional methods of corporate finance; (B) the labor cost savings; (C) the potential for minimizing strikes and producing more harmonious relations between labor organizations and railway management; (D) the projected employee dividend incomes; (E) the impact on quality of service and prices to railway users; and (F) the promotion of the objectives of this Act of creating a financially self-sustaining railway system in the region which also meets the service needs of the region and the Nation.
(f)

Value.—
The final system plan shall designate the value of all rail properties to be transferred under the final system plan and the value of the securities and other benefits to be received for transferring those rail properties to the Corporation in accordance with the final system plan.
(g)

Other Provisions.—
The final system plan may recommend arrangements among various railroads for joint use or operation of rail properties on a shared ownership, cooperative, pooled, or condominium-type basis, subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the final system plan. The final system plan shall also make such designations as are determined to be necessary in accordance with the provisions of section 402 or 403 of this Act.
(h)

Obligational Authority.—
The final system plan shall recommend the amount of obligations of the Association which are necessary to enable it to implement the final system plan.
(i)

Terms and Conditions for Securities.—
The final system plan may include terms and conditions for any securities to be issued by the Corporation in exchange for the conveyance of rail properties under the final system plan which in the judgment of the Association will minimize any actual or potential debt burden on the Corporation. Any such terms and conditions for securities of the Corporation which purport to directly obligate the Association shall not become effective without affirmative approval, with or without modification by a joint resolution of the Congress.
(j)
Any rail properties over which rail service was being provided as of the date of enactment of this Act, and which were recommended in the preliminary system plan for transfer to the Corporation, shall be deemed to be designated in the final system plan for transfer to the Corporation under subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section. Any designation in the final system plan, pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section, of overhead trackage rights to be acquired by a profitable railroad operating in the region over specified rail properties to be acquired by the Corporation, where such designation does not (1) authorize such profitable railroad to interchange traffic with at least one railroad, or (2) provide for the connection of portions of such profitable railroad's rail properties, and where the transfer of ownership of such rail properties (including trackage rights) to such profitable railroad was recommended in the preliminary system plan, and the Commission has made a determination with respect thereto, in accordance with subsection (d)(3) of this section, shall be deemed to authorize such profitable railroad to interchange traffic with the Corporation and any other profitable railroad connecting with such specified rail properties.
[45 U.S.C. 716]

adoption of final system plan
Sec. 207.
(a)

Preliminary System Plan.—
(1)
Within 420 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Association shall adopt and release a preliminary system plan prepared by it on the basis of reports and other information submitted to it by the Secretary, the Office, and interested persons in accordance with this Act and on the basis of its own investigations, consultations, research, evaluation, and analysis pursuant to this Act. Copies of the preliminary system plan shall be transmitted by the Association to the Secretary, the Office, the Governor and public utility commission of each State in the region, the Congress, each court having jurisdiction over a railroad in reorganization in the region, the special court, and interested persons, and a copy shall be published in the Federal Register. The Association shall invite and afford interested persons an opportunity to submit comments on the preliminary system plan to the Association within 60 days after the date of its release.
(2)
The Office is authorized and directed to hold public hearings on the preliminary system plan and to make available to the association a summary and analysis of the evidence received in the course of such proceedings, together with its critique and evaluation of the preliminary system plan, not later than 60 days after the date of release of such plan. The Office is authorized to hold public hearings on any supplement to the preliminary system plan and to make available to the Association a summary and analysis of the evidence received in the course of such proceedings, together with its critique and evaluation of such supplement, not later than 30 days after the release of such supplement.
(b)

Approval.—
(1)
Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act each United States district court or other court having jurisdiction over a railroad in reorganization shall decide whether the railroad is reorganizable on an income basis within a reasonable time under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) and that the public interest would be better served by continuing the present reorganization proceedings than by a reorganization under this Act. Within 60 days after the submission of the report by the Office, under section 205(d)(1) of this title, on the Secretary's report on rail services in the region, each United States disctrict court or other court having jurisdiction over a railroad in reorganization shall decide whether or not such railroad shall be reorganized by means of transferring some of its rail properties to the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Because of the strong public interest in the continuance of rail transportation in the region pursuant to a system plan devised under the provisions of this Act, each such court shall order that the reorganization be proceeded with pursuant to this Act unless it (1) has found that the railroad is reorganizable on an income basis within a reasonable time under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) and that the public interest would be better served by such a reorganization than by a reorganization under this Act, or (2) finds that this Act does not provide a process which would be fair and equitable to the estate of the railroad in reorganization in which case it shall dismiss the reorganization proceeding. If a court does not enter an order or make a finding as required by this subsection, the reorganization shall be proceeded with pursuant to this Act. An appeal from an order made under this section may be made only to the special court. Appeal to the special court shall be taken within 10 days following entry of an order pursuant to this subsection, and the special court shall complete its review and render its decision within 80 days after such appeal is taken. There shall be no review of the decision of the special court.
(2)
Whenever it has been finally determined pursuant to the procedures of paragraph (1) of this subsection, that the reorganization of a railroad subject to reorganization under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) shall not be proceeded with pursuant to this Act, the court having jurisdiction over such railroad may, upon a petition which is filed within 10 days after the date of enactment of this subsection by the trustees of such railroad, reconsider such order. Such reorganization court shall (i) affirm its previous order or (ii) issue an order that the reorganization of such railroad be proceeded with pursuant to this Act unless it finds that this Act does not provide a process which would be fair and equitable. The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection are applicable in such reconsideration, except that (A) such reorganization court shall make its decision within 30 days after such petition is filed, and (B) any decision by the special court on appeal from such a decision shall be rendered within 30 days after such reorganization court decision is made. There shall be no review of the decision of the special court. The Association shall take any steps it finds necessary, consistent with time limitations and other provisions of this Act, to effectuate the consequences of such a revised order, including the preparation and submission of any necessary or appropriate supplements to the preliminary system plan.
(c)

Adoption.—
Within 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the executive committee of the Association shall prepare and submit a final system plan for the approval of the Board of Directors of the Association. A copy of such submission shall be simultaneously presented to the Commission. The submission shall reflect evaluation of all responses and summaries of responses received, testimony at any public hearings, and the results of additional study and review. Within 30 days thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Association shall by a majority vote of all its members approve a final system plan which meets all of the requirements of section 206 of this title.
(d)

Review of Commission.—
Within 30 days following the adoption of the final system plan by the Association under subsection (c) of this section and the submission of such plan to Congress under section 208(a) of this title, the Commission shall submit to the Congress an evaluation of the final system plan delivered to both Houses of Congress.
[45 U.S.C. 717]

review by congress
Sec. 208.
(a)

General.—
The Board of Directors of the Association shall deliver the final system plan adopted by the Association to both Houses of Congress and to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce of the Senate. The final system plan shall be deemed approved at the end of the first period of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after such date of transmittal unless either the House of Representatives or the Senate passes a resolution during such period stating that it does not favor the final system plan.
(b)

Revised Plan.—
If either the House or the Senate passes a resolution of disapproval under subsection (a) of this section, the Association, with the cooperation and assistance of the Secretary and the Office, shall prepare, determine, and adopt a revised final system plan. Each such revised plan shall be submitted to Congress for review pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(c)

Computation.—
For purposes of this section—
(1)
continuity of session of Congress is broken only by an adjournment sine die; and
(2)
the days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain are excluded in the computation of the 60-day period.
(d)

Additions.—
(1)
The supplemental report, dated September 18, 1975, to the final system plan, and the provisions of the Association's official errata supplement to the final system plan, dated December 1, 1975, including all designations made therein, shall be treated for all purposes as if they had been part of and included in the final system plan adopted by the Association and reviewed by the Congress. The final system plan shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be approved as modified and amended by such supplemental report and such supplement.
(2)
The Association may, upon petition of any State, modify the final system plan to make further designations with respect to rail properties of railroads in reorganization in the region designated for transfer to the Corporation under such plan, if such designations (A) are likely to result in improved rail service on such rail properties and connecting rail properties, and (B) would not materially impair the profitability of the Corporation. Such designations, including designations of such rail properties to a State, a profitable railroad, or a responsible person, may be made at any time prior to delivery of the final system plan to the special court under section 209(c) of this title. Such further designations shall be treated for all purposes as if they had been included in the final system plan adopted by the Association and reviewed by the Congress, and the final system plan shall for all purposes be deemed to be approved as modified by such designations. Any action of the Association with respect to any such petition shall not be subject to review by any court.
(3)
(A)
Within 20 days after the date of enactment of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, the Association may, by notice to the Congress and by publication in the Federal Register, modify, supplement, or add to the designations of rail properties in the final system plan if the Association finds such actions are necessary to—
(i)
achieve the efficient implementation of the final system plan, or
(ii)
provide for the offer to profitable railroads of rail properties designated in the final system plan to the Corporation, if such properties are not essential in the operation of other rail properties of the Corporation but are or would be integrally related to the operation of rail properties of (or which are offered pursuant to the final system plan to) such profitable railroad, or
(iii)
provide for the designation of additional rail properties to the Corporation or to a subsidiary thereof to enable the Corporation to serve efficiently a line of railroad designated to the Corporation in the final system plan if such line does not connect with any other line of railroad so designated to the Corporation or if such line would be served more efficiently as a consequence of such designation.
Any designation to a profitable railroad pursuant to this paragraph shall comply with the second sentence of section 206(d)(4) of this title, and shall only be made upon a finding by the Association that such designation is integrally related to an offer of rail properties to a profitable railroad in the final system plan, that the goals of the final system plan require that the rail properties be operated as a part of the rail properties included in such offer, and that the implementation of such designation will not materially and adversely affect the impact of such offer on the profitability of the Corporation or any profitable railroad operating in the region. Any designation to a profitable railroad pursuant to this subsection, which amends any prior offer, shall terminate 30 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph unless, prior to such date, such profitable railroad has notified the Association in writing of its acceptance of such amendment to the prior offer.
(B)
If a line of railroad or any segment thereof is designated for rail service in the final system plan, no designation may be made by the Association pursuant to this paragraph which would result in such line or segment not being so designated. Any designations made pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated for all purposes as if they had been included in the final system plan adopted by the Association and reviewed by the Congress. The final system plan shall for all purposes be deemed to be approved as amended by such designations.
(C)
Any designations made pursuant to this paragraph shall not be subject to review by any court.
(D)
Any labor agreements entered into under section 508 of this Act shall be subject to further negotiations for any modifications which may be necessary to implement designations made pursuant to this paragraph.
[45 U.S.C. 718]

judicial review
Sec. 209.
(a)

General.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the final system plan which is adopted by the Association and which becomes effective after review by the Congress is not subject to review by any court except in accordance with this section. After the final system plan becomes effective under section 208 of this title, it may be reviewed with respect to matters concerning the value of the rail properties to be conveyed under the plan and the value of the consideration to be received for such properties.
(b)

Special Court.—
(1)
Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Association shall make application to the judicial panel on multi-district litigation authorized by section 1407 of title 28, United States Code, for the consolidation in a single, three-judge district court of the United States of all judicial proceedings with respect to the final system plan. Within 30 days after such application is received, the panel shall make the consolidation in a district court (cited herein as the “special court”) which the panel determines to be convenient to the parties and the one most likely to be able to conduct any proceedings under this section with the least delay and the greatest possible fairness and ability. Such proceedings shall be conducted by the special court which shall be composed of three Federal judges who shall be selected by the panel, except that none of the judges selected may be a judge assigned to a proceeding involving any railroad in reorganization in the region under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205). The special court is authorized to exercise the powers of a district judge in any judicial district with respect to such proceedings and such powers shall include those of a reorganization court. The special court shall have the power to order the conveyance of rail properties of railroads leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region. The special court may issue rules for the conduct of any proceedings under this section and under section 305 of this Act, including rules with respect to the time within which motions may be filed, and with respect to appropriate representation of interests not otherwise represented (including the Secretary with respect to a petition by the Association in the case of a proposal developed by the Secretary, under such section 305). No determination by the panel under this subsection may be reviewed in any court.
(2)
The special court referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is abolished effective 90 days after the date of enactment of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1996. On such effective date, all jurisdiction and other functions of the special court shall be assumed by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. With respect to any proceedings that arise or continue after the date on which the special court is abolished, the references in the following provisions to the special court established under this subsection shall be deemed to refer to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia:
(A)
Subsections (c), (e)(1), (e)(2), (f) and (g) of this section.
(B)
Sections 202 (d)(3), (g), 207 (a)(1), (b)(1), (b)(2), 208(d)(2), 301 (e)(2), (g), (k)(3), (k)(15), 303 (a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), (b)(6)(A), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), 304 (a)(1)(B), (i)(3), 305 (c), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(5), (d)(8), (e), (f)(1), (f)(2)(B), (f)(2)(D), (f)(2)(E), (f)(3), 306 (a), (b), (c)(4), and 601 (b)(3), (c) of this Act (45 U.S.C. 712 (d)(3), (g), 717 (a)(1), (b)(1), (b)(2), 718(d)(2), 741 (e)(2), (g), (k)(3), (k)(15), 743 (a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), (b)(6)(A), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), 744 (a)(1)(B), (i)(3), 745 (c), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(5), (d)(8), (e), (f)(1), (f)(2)(B), (f)(2)(D), (f)(2)(E), (f)(3), 746 (a), (b), (c)(4), 791 (b)(3), (c)).
(C)
Sections 1152(a) and 1167(b) of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 (45 U.S.C. 1105(a), 1115(a)).
(D)
Sections 4023 (2)(A)(iii), (2)(B), (2)(C), (3)(C), (3)(E), (4)(A) and 4025(b) of the Conrail Privatization Act (45 U.S.C. 1323 (2)(A)(iii), (2)(B), (2)(C), (3)(C), (3)(E), (4)(A), 1324(b)).
(E)
Section 24907(b) of title 49, United States Code.
(F)
Any other Federal law (other than this subsection and section 605 of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1996), Executive order, rule, regulation, delegation of authority, or document of or relating to the special court as previously established under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(c)

Delivery of Plan to Special Court.—
Within 90 days after its effective date, the Association shall deliver a certified copy of the final system plan to the special court and shall certify to the special court—
(1)
which rail properties of the respective railroads in reorganization in the region and of any person leased, operated, or controlled by such railroads in reorganization are to be transferred to the Corporation, or any subsidiary thereof, in accordance with the final system plan;
(2)
which rail properties of the respective railroads in reorganization in the region or person leased, operated, or controlled by such railroads in reorganization are to be conveyed to profitable railroads, in accordance with the final system plan;
(3)
the amount, terms, and value of the securities of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof (including any certificates of value of the Association) to be exchanged for those rail properties to be transferred to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof pursuant to the final system plan, and as indicated in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(4)
that the transfer of rail properties in exchange for securities of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof (including any certificates of value of the Association) and other benefits is fair and equitable and in the public interest.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection and subsection (d) of this section, the time for the delivery of a certified copy of the final system plan shall be March 12, 1976, and may be extended to a date not more than 30 days thereafter, prescribed in a notice filed by the Association not later than February 17, 1976, with the special court, the Congress, and each court referred to in such subsection (d). Such notice shall contain the certification of the Association that an orderly conveyance of rail properties cannot reasonably be effected before the date for conveyance determined with respect to such notice. The time prescribed in section 303(a) of this Act shall be determined with respect to the date prescribed in such notice.
(d)

Bankruptcy Courts.—
Within 90 days after its effective date, the Association shall deliver a certified copy of the final system plan to each district court of the United States or any other court having jurisdiction over a railroad in reorganization in the region and shall certify to each such court—
(1)
which rail properties of that railroad in reorganization are to be transferred to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof under the final system plan; and
(2)
which rail properties of that railroad in reorganization, if any, are to be conveyed to profitable railroads operating in the region, under the final system plan.
(e)

Original and Exclusive Jurisdiction.—
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any civil action—
(A)
for injunctive or other relief against the Association from the enforcement, operation, or execution of this Act or any provision thereof, or from any action taken by the Association pursuant to authority conferred or purportedly conferred under this Act;
(B)
challenging the constitutionality of this Act or any provision thereof;
(C)
challenging the legality of any action of the Association, or any failure of the Association to take any action, pursuant to authority conferred or purportedly conferred under this Act;
(D)
to obtain, inspect, copy, or review any document in the possession or control of the Association that would be discoverable in litigation pursuant to section 303(c) of this Act;
(E)
brought after a conveyance, pursuant to section 303(b) of this Act, to set aside or annul such conveyance or to secure in any way the reconveyance of any rail properties so conveyed; or
(F)
with respect to continuing reorganization and supplemental transactions, in accordance with section 305 of this Act;
shall be within the original and exclusive jurisdiction of the special court. The special court shall not hear or determine any such action prior to the date of conveyance, pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, except as the Constitution may require. Relief shall not be granted in any action referred to in subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) unless the person seeking such relief establishes that the Association acted in reckless or deliberate disregard of applicable law.
(2)
The original and exclusive jurisdiction of the special court shall include any action, whether filed by any interested person or initiated by the special court itself, to interpret, alter, amend, modify or implement any of the orders entered by such court pursuant to section 303(b) of this Act in order to effect the purposes of this Act or the goals of the final system plan. During the pendency of any proceeding described in this paragraph, the special court may enter such orders as it determines to be appropriate, including orders enjoining, restraining, conditioning, or limiting any conveyance, transfer, or use of any asset or right which is subject to such an order or which is at issue in such a proceeding, or which involves the enforcement of any liens or encumbrances upon such assets or rights. Any orders pursuant to this paragraph which interpret, alter, amend, modify, or implement orders entered by the special court shall be final and shall not be restrained or enjoined by any court.
(3)1
An order or judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in any action referred to in this section shall be reviewable in accordance with sections 1291, 1292, and 1294 of title 28, United States Code.
^1
Section 605(d) of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1996 provided that this paragraph shall not apply to any final order or judgement entered into by the special court established under section 209(b) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 for which—
(1) a petition for writ of certiorari has been filed before the date on which the special court is abolished [February 16, 1997]; or
(2) the time for filing a petition for writ of certiorari has not expired before that date.
(f)

Disposition of Cash Deposits.—
Whenever the compensation which is deposited with the special court under section 303(a) of this Act is in the form of cash, such cash shall be invested and reinvested upon such terms and conditions as the special court shall determine, pending the making of the findings referred to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 303(c) of this Act. Notwithstanding section 303(c)(4) of this Act, the special court may order (1) the income from such investments, (2) the dividends or interest, if any, received on any securities or obligations deposited with the special court under such section 303(a), and (3) the income, if any, received with respect to any other form of compensation so deposited, to be distributed to the trustee of each railroad in reorganization and to any person leased, operated or controlled by such a railroad which conveyed the right, title, and interest in the rail properties with respect to which such cash, securities, obligations, or other compensation have been so deposited with the special court. Notwithstanding 303(c)(4) of this Act, the special court may, within 90 days after the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303(b) of this Act, order up to 25 percent of any cash (including investments made with cash) and other compensation deposited with the special court to be distributed to such trustee or person. On petition of the applicable trustee or person, the special court may order such additional distributions as it finds reasonable and appropriate, prior to the making of the findings referred to in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of such section 303(c).
(g)

Stay of Court Proceedings.—
The special court may stay or enjoin any action or proceeding in any State court or in any court of the United States other than the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit if such action or proceeding is contrary to any provision of this Act, impairs the effective implementation of this Act, or interferes with the execution of any order of the special court pursuant to this Act.
[45 U.S.C. 719]

obligations of the association
Sec. 210.
(a)

General.—
To carry out the purposes of this Act, the Association is authorized to issue bonds, debentures, trust certificates, securities, or other obligations (herein cited as “obligations”) in accordance with this section. Such obligations shall have such maturities and bear such rate or rates of interest as are determined by the Association with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Such obligations shall be redeemable at the option of the Association prior to maturity in the manner stipulated in each such obligation, and may be purchased by the Association in the open market at a price which is reasonable.
(b)

Maximum Obligational Authority.—
The aggregate principal amount (exclusive of interest or additions to principal on account of accrual of interest) of obligations issued by the Association under this section which may be outstanding at any one time shall not exceed $395,000,000. No obligations or proceeds thereof shall be issued or made available after the date of enactment of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 except—
(1)
to meet existing or potential commitments for loans under section 211 of this title made or applied for prior to January 1, 1976; and
(2)
for the purpose of providing loans pursuant to subsections (g) and (h) of section 211 of this title.
(c)

Guarantees.—
The Secretary shall guarantee the payment of principal and interest on all obligations issued by the Association in accordance with this Act and which the Association requests be guaranteed. All guarantees entered into by the Secretary under this section shall constitute general obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit are pledged.
(d)

Validity.—
No obligation issued by the Association under this section shall be terminated, canceled, or otherwise revoked, except in accordance with lawful terms and conditions prescribed by the Association. Such an obligation shall be conclusive evidence that it is in compliance with this section, has been approved, and is legal as to principal, interest, and other terms. An obligation of the Association shall be valid and incontestable in the hands of a holder, except as to fraud, duress, mutual mistake of fact, or material misrepresentation by or involving such holder.
(e)

The Secretary of the Treasury.—
If at any time the moneys available to the Secretary are insufficient to enable him to discharge his responsibilities under subsection (c) of this section or under subsection (a) of section 306 of this Act, he shall issue notes or other obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury in such forms and denominations, bearing such maturities, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Such obligations shall bear interest at a rate to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities during the month preceding the issuance of such obligations. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to purchase any such obligations and for such purpose is authorized to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act, as amended. The purposes for which securities may be issued under such Act are extended to include any purchase of notes or other obligations issued under this subsection. At any time, the Secretary of the Treasury may sell any such obligations, and all sales, purchases, and redemptions of such obligations by the Secretary of the Treasury shall be treated as public debt transactions of the United States.
(f)

Authorization for Appropriations.—
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such amounts as are necessary to discharge the obligations of the United States arising under this section.
(g)

Lawful Investments.—
All obligations issued by the Association shall be lawful investments and may be accepted as security for all fiduciary, trust, and public funds, the investment or deposit of which shall be under the authority and control of the United States or any officer or officers thereof. All such obligations issued pursuant to this section shall be exempt securities within the meaning of laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
[45 U.S.C. 720]

loans
Sec. 211.
(a)

General.—
The Association is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this section and such rules and regulations as it shall prescribe, to make loans to the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and other railroads (including a railroad in reorganization which has been found to be reorganizable under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act pursuant to section 207(b) of this title) in the region, for purposes of achieving the goals of this Act; to a State or local or regional transportation authority pursuant to section 403 of this Act; and to provide assistance in the form of loans to any railroad which (A) connects with a railroad in reorganization, and (B) is in need of financial assistance to avoid reorganization proceedings under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205). No such loan shall be made by the Association to a railroad unless such loans shall, where applicable, be treated as an expense of administration. The rights referred to in the last sentence of section 77(j) of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205(j)) shall in no way be affected by this Act.
(b)

Applications.—
Each application for such a loan shall be made in writing to the Association in such form and with such content and other submissions as the Association shall prescribe to protect reasonably the interests of the United States. The Association shall publish a notice of the receipt of each such application in the Federal Register and shall afford interested persons an opportunity to comment thereon.
(c)

Terms and Conditions.—
Each loan shall be extended in such form, under such terms and conditions, and pursuant to such regulations as the Association deems appropriate. Such loan shall bear interest at a rate not less than the greater of a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury taking into consideration (1) the rate prevailing in the private market for similar loans as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, or (2) the current average yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the Association with remaining periods of maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, plus such additional charge, if any, toward covering costs of the Association as the Association may determine to be consistent with the purposes of this Act.
(d)

Modifications.—
The Association is authorized to approve any modification of any provision of a loan under this section, including the rate of interest, time of payment of interest or principal, security, or any other term or condition, upon agreement of the recipient of the loan and upon a finding by the Association that such modification is equitable and necessary or appropriate to achieve the policy declared in subsection (f) of this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in the case of a loan made under subsection (a) of this section to a railroad in the region, the Association is not required to make the findings with respect to subsections (e)(3) and (f) and may, upon the request of such railroad—
(1)
continue to make advances to such railroad pursuant to such loan, up to the total principal provided, as of the date of enactment of this sentence, under the agreement between such railroad and the Association under this section, upon finding only that (A) a good faith effort has been commenced by such railroad toward the establishment of an employee stock ownership plan, and (B) such continued advances will permit the continuation of rail service determined by the Association, in the Final System Plan or under the goals of this Act, to be desirable; and
(2)
increase the principle amount of such loan to such railroad, in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000, only if the Association makes the finding referred to in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection and determines that such railroad is making a good faith effort to establish an employee stock ownership plan for review and approval by the Association. Any such approval shall be conditioned upon a written commitment that by December 31, 1980, the railroad will adopt an employee stock ownership plan which will acquire qualifying employer securities with a fair market value of $250,000.
The Association may not take any action pursuant to the preceding sentence of this subsection after December 31, 1981.
(e)

Prerequisites.—
The Association shall make a finding in writing, before making a loan to any applicant under this section, that—
(1)
the loan is necessary to achieve the goals of this Act or to prevent insolvency;
(2)
it is satisfied that the business affairs of the applicant will be conducted in a reasonable and prudent manner; and
(3)
the applicant has offered such security as the Association deems necessary to protect reasonably the interests of the United States.
(f)

Policy.—
It is the intent of Congress that loans made under this section shall be made on terms and conditions which furnish reasonable assurance that the Corporation or the railroads to which such loans are granted will be able to repay them within the time fixed and that the goals of this Act are reasonably likely to be achieved.
(g)

Pre-Conveyance Loans to the Corporation.—
During the period between the effective date of the final system plan and the date of the conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303(b) of this Act, the Association may make such loans in such amounts to the Corporation as the Association deems essential to provide for the purchase by the Corporation of material, supplies, equipment, and services necessary to permit the orderly and efficient implementation of the final system plan. Notwithstanding any inability of the Association during such period to make the finding required by subsection (e)(3) of this section because of any existing contingencies, the Association may make any such loans to the Corporation, subject to—
(1)
the most favorable terms and conditions for assuring timely repayment and security as may then be reasonably available, and
(2)
the requirement that any loan to the Corporation under this subsection be refinanced immediately out of the proceeds of the first sale by the issuance of debentures under section 216 of this title.
In order to assure that necessary funds are available to the Corporation for implementation of the final system plan, the Corporation is authorized to accept such loans as may be approved by the Association under this subsection, and any such acceptance shall be deemed for all purposes to constitute a reasonable and prudent business judgment in compliance with any fiduciary obligations imposed on the Corporation or its directors. For purposes of this subsection, the term “Corporation” includes a subsidiary of the Corporation.
(h)

Loans for Payment of Obligations.—
(1)
(A)
The Association is authorized, subject to the limitations set forth in section 210(b) of this title, to enter into loan agreements, in amounts not to exceed, at any given time, $350,000,000 in the aggregate principal amount, with the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and any profitable railroad to which rail properties are transferred or conveyed pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, under which the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and any profitable railroad entering into such agreement will agree to meet existing or prospective obligations of the railroads in reorganization in the region which the Association, in accordance with procedures established by the Association, determines should be paid by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, on behalf of such railroads in reorganization, in order to avoid disruptions in ordinary business relationships. Such obligations shall be limited to—
(i)
amounts claimed by suppliers (including private car lines) of materials or services utilized or purchased in current rail operations;
(ii)
claims by shippers arising from current rail services;
(iii)
payments to railroads for settlement of current interline accounts and all other current accounts and obligations;
(iv)
claims of employees arising under the collective-bargaining agreements of the railroads in reorganization in the region and subject to section 3 of the Railway Labor Act (including claims for accrued vacation and wages and similar claims arising in connection with labor and services performed);
(v)
claims of all employees or their personal representatives for personal injuries or death and subject to the provisions of Employers' Liability Act (45 U.S.C. 51–60);
(vi)
amounts required for adequate funding of accrued pension benefits existing at the time of a conveyance or discontinuance of service under employee pension benefit plans described in section 505(a) of this Act;
(vii)
amounts required to provide adequate funding for payment, when due, of claims deriving from membership in any employee voluntary relief plan which provides benefits to its members and their beneficiaries in the event of sickness, accident, disability, or death, and to which both a railroad in reorganization and employee members have made contributions;
(viii)
amounts required to provide adequate funding for continuation, by the Corporation, of medical and life insurance coverage and benefits for retired employees of railroads in reorganization as required and limited by section 303(b)(6)(B) of this Act.1
^1
So in law. The period probably should be a semicolon.
(ix)
amounts required to discharge the obligations of each such railroad in reorganization to nonemployee claimants for personal injuries suffered during the period such railroad has been in reorganization; and
(x)
amounts required to discharge any obligation of a railroad in reorganization in the region to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, arising out of a contract between such railroad in reorganization and such Corporation under which such railroad in reorganization is required to provide a suitable rail passenger station, in any case in which such railroad in reorganization sold a rail passenger station pursuant to a judicial order of condemnation prior to April 1, 1976.
(B)
The Association shall make a loan pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph if, notwithstanding any other requirement of this subsection, it finds that the Corpration,1 the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad is entitled to a loan pursuant to section 303(b)(6), 504(e), or 504(g) of this Act, or if, with respect to an obligation referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, it finds that—
^1
So in law. Probably should be “Corporation”.
(i)
provision for the payment of such obligation was not included in the financial projections of the final system plan;
(ii)
such obligations arose from rail operations prior to the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303 (b)(1) of this Act and is, under other applicable law, the responsibility of a railroad in reorganization in the region, and a claim is presented to a railroad in reorganization in the region, or the Corporation within 2 years after the date of enactment of the Rail Amendments of 1976;
(iii)
the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad has advised the Association that the direct payment of such obligation by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad is for services or materials, the furnishing of which served to avoid disruptions in ordinary business relationships prior to the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303 (b)(1) of this Act, or is necessary to avoid postconveyance disruptions in ordinary business relationships;
(iv)
the transferor is unable to pay such obligation within a reasonable period of time; and
(v)
with respect to loans made to the Corporation, the procedures to be followed by the Corporation, in seeking reimbursement from a railroad in reorganization in the region for an obligation paid on its behalf under this subsection, have been jointly agreed to by the Finance Committee and the Corporation, and the joint agreement—
(I)
provides for the Corporation to receive reimbursement from the Association for any expenses incurred in seeking reimbursement from any railroad in reorganization in the region for an obligation paid on its behalf under this subsection; and
(II)
includes a stipulation of the exact procedures the Corporation shall undertake to avoid the finding, referred to in paragraph (6)(A)(i) of this subsection, that it has not exercised due diligence.
(2)
The trustees of each railroad in reorganization in the region shall attempt to negotiate agency agreements with the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad for the processing of all accounts receivable and accounts payable attributable to operations prior to the conveyance of property pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act and for the payment of only those accounts payable which relate to obligations of the estates identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. If any railroad in reorganization in the region fails to conclude such an agreement within a reasonable time prior to such conveyance, the applicable reorganization courts, after giving all parties an opportunity to be heard, shall prescribe the terms of such an agency arrangement by order, giving due consideration to the need, wherever possible, to make such agreements uniform among the various estates. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as permitting any district court of the United States having jurisdiction over the reorganization of a railroad in reorganization in the region to enjoin, restrain, or limit the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad from applying, to payment of the obligations of the estates identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, amounts collected as (A) accounts receivable pursuant to this paragraph, (B) cash or other current assets identified pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, or (C) proceeds of loans pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. Any agency agreement executed prior to the date of the enactment of the Rail Transportation Improvement Act shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform such agreement or order to the provisions of this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect any payment made prior to such date of enactment with respect to obligations other than those identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3)
The Association may, not less than 30 days prior to the date of conveyance pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, petition each district court of the United States having jurisdiction over the reorganization of a railroad in reorganization in the region for an order, which shall be entered prior to such conveyance, and which—
(A)
identifies that cash and other current assets of the estate of such railroad which shall be utilized to satisfy obligations of the estates identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(B)
provides for the application by the trustees of such railroads and their agents, consistent with the principles of reorganization under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) and with the agency agreement specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, of all such current assets, including cash available as of or subsequent to such date of conveyance, to the payment in the postconveyance period of the obligations of the estates identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4)
(A)
Each obligation of a railroad in reorganization in the region which is paid with financial assistance under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be processed, on behalf of such railroad, by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, whichever is appropriate. An obligation of a railroad in reorganization in the region shall be paid, on behalf of such railroad, by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, whichever is appropriate, if—
(i)
such obligation is deemed by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, whichever is appropriate, to have been, on the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, the obligation of a railroad in reorganization in the region;
(ii)
such obligation accrues after such date of conveyance but as a result of rail operations conducted prior to such date, and the trustees of such railroad in reorganization acknowledge that it is an obligation of such railroad; or
(iii)
the district court of the United States having jurisdiction over such railroad in reorganization in the region approves such obligation as a valid administrative claim against such railroads;
to the extent that payment is required under a loan agreement with the Association under such paragraph (1).
(B)
The Association shall resolve any disputes among the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and a profitable railroad concerning which of them shall process and pay any particular obligation on behalf of a particular railroad in reorganization.
(C)
The Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad shall have a direct claim, as a current expense of administration, for reimbursement from the estate of a railroad in reorganization in the region for all obligations of such estate (plus interest thereon) which are paid by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, as the case may be. The right of the Corporation or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to receive reimbursement under this subparagraph from the estate of a railroad in reorganization in the region shall be reduced by the amount, if any, of loans, plus interest forgiven under paragraph (5) of this subsection.
(D)
(i)
Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, any funds held in an escrow account by a railroad in reorganization on the date of enactment of the Rail Transportation Improvement Act which are thereafter determined to be cash and other current assets of the estate of such railroad in reorganization, for purposes of paragraph (3) of this subsection, shall be applied as follows—
(I)
first, to the reduction of any outstanding loans to the Corporation by the Association, pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the proceeds of which were used to discharge obligations of such railroad in reorganization;
(II)
second, to the Association to the extent of any such loans which have been forgiven pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection; and
(III)
third, to the payment of any remaining obligations of such railroad in reorganization, in accordance with the provision of the agency agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(ii)
The manner of disposition set forth in clause (i) of this subparagraph shall not apply with respect to a railroad in reorganization if the Secretary (I) determines that a different disposition of assets is necessary to carry out a reorganization plan of such railroad in reorganization, and that such different disposition adequately protects the interests of the United States, and (II) transmits his determination to the court having jurisdiction over the reorganization of such railroad.
(5)
(A)
If, at any time, the Finance Committee of the Association determines that the failure of the Corporation to receive full reimbursement with interest from the estate of a railroad in reorganization in the region for any obligation of such estate paid pursuant to this subsection could adversely affect the fairness and equity of the transfers and conveyances pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, or that the failure of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to receive such full reimbursement plus interest for any such obligation would be contrary to the public interest, the Association shall forgive the indebtedness, plus accrued interest, of the Corporation or of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation incurred pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection in the amount recommended by the Finance Committee. The Association shall have a direct claim, as a current expense of administration of the estate of such railroad in reorganization, equal to the amount by which loans of the Corporation or of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, plus interest, have been forgiven. Such direct claim shall not be subject to any reduction by way of setoff, cross-claim, or counter-claim which the estate of such railroad in reorganization may be entitled to assert against the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, the Association, or the United States.
(B)
The direct claim of the association under this paragraph, and any direct claim authorized under paragraph (4) of this subsection, shall be prior to all other administrative claims of the estate of a railroad in reorganization, except claims arising under trustee's certificates or from default on the payment of such certificates. The Corporation, the National Rail Passenger Corporation, or a profitable railroad, as the case may be, shall, with respect to each direct claim for reimbursement pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection, file a proof of administrative expense claim with the trustees of the railroad in reorganization from whom reimbursement is sought. Each such proof of administrative expense claim shall set forth, by category and amount, the obligations of such railroad in reorganization which were paid pursuant to such paragraph (4).
(6)
(A)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Association shall forgive any loan made to the Corporation or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation pursuant to this subsection, plus accrued interest thereon, on the 3rd anniversary date of any such loan, except that the Association shall not forgive any loan or portion thereof, in accordance with this paragraph, if—
(i)
the Finance Committee makes an affirmative finding, with respect to such loan or portion thereof, that—
(I)
the Corporation has not exercised due diligence in executing the procedures adopted pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(v) of this subsection, and
(II)
the failure of the Association to forgive such loan or portion thereof will not adversely affect the ability of the Corporation to become financially self-sustaining;
(ii)
the Finance Committee so directs the Association; and
(iii)
neither House of the Congress disapproves such affirmative finding and direction, in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph.
A copy of each such finding, the reasons therefor, and such direction made by the Finance Committee, together with the comments and recommendations thereon of the Board of Directors of the Association, shall be transmitted to the Congress by the Association within 10 days after the date on which the Finance Committee makes such finding and direction, or if not so transmitted, shall be transmitted by the Finance Committee. Each such finding and direction so transmitted shall become effective immediately, and shall remain in effect, unless, within the first period of 30 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date of transmittal of such finding and direction to Congress, either House of Congress disapproves such finding and direction in accordance with the procedures specified in section 1017 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (31 U.S.C. 1407). For purposes of this paragraph, continuity of session of Congress is broken only in the circumstances described in section 1011(5) of that Act (31 U.S.C. 1401 (5)).
(B)
The Association shall have a direct claim, as a current expense of administration of the estate of the railroad in reorganization whose obligations were paid with the proceeds of loans forgiven under this paragraph, equal to the amount by which the loans, plus interest, have been forgiven. Such direct claim shall not be subject to any reduction by way of setoff, cross-claim, or counterclaim which the estate of such railroad in reorganization may be entitled to assert against the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, the Association, or the United States. The direct claim of the Association under this paragraph shall be prior to all other administrative claims of the estate of the railroad in reorganization, except claims arising under trustee's certificates or from default on the payment of such certificates.
(7)
For purposes of this subsection, the term “Corporation” includes a subsidiary of the Corporation.
[45 U.S.C. 721]

records, audit, and examination
Sec. 212.
(a)

Records.—
Each recipient of financial assistance under this title, whether in the form of loans, obligations, or other arrangements, shall keep such records as the Association or the Secretary shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such assistance and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.
(b)

Audit and Examination.—
The Association, the Secretary, and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives shall, until the expiration of 3 years after the implementation of the final system plan, have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of such recipients which in the opinion of the Association, the Secretary, or the Comptroller General may be related or pertinent to the loans, obligations or other arrangements referred to in subsection (a) of this section. The Association or any of its duly authorized representatives shall, until any financial assistance received under this title has been repaid to the Association, have access to any such materials which concern any matter that may bear upon—
(1)
the ability of the recipient of such financial assistance to make repayment within the time fixed therefor;
(2)
the effectiveness with which the proceeds of such assistance is used; and
(3)
the implementation of the final system plan and the realization of the declaration of policy of this Act.
[45 U.S.C. 722]

emergency assistance pending implementation
Sec. 213.
(a)

Emergency Assistance.—
The Secretary is authorized, pending the implementation of the final system plan, to pay to the trustees of railroads in reorganization such sums as are necessary for the continued provision of essential transportation services by such railroads. Such payments shall be made by the Secretary upon such reasonable terms and conditions as the Secretary establishes, except that recipients must agree to maintain and provide service at a level no less than that in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Where the Secretary and the trustees agree that funds provided pursuant to this section are to be used (together with funds provided pursuant to section 215 of this Act, if any) to perform program maintenance on designated rail properties until the date rail properties are conveyed under this Act or to improve such designated properties, such agreement shall contain the conditions set forth in section 215(b) of this Act.
(b)

Authorization For Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section such sums as are necessary, not exceed $282,000,000, to remain available until expended. Of amounts authorized to be appropriated under this subsection, $50,000,000 shall be available solely to pay to the trustees of railroads in reorganization such sums as may be necessary to provide such railroads with amounts equal to revenues attributable to tariff increases proposed by such railroads and suspended by the Interstate Commerce Commission during the calendar year 1975, if the Secretary determines that such payments are necessary to carry out this section.
[45 U.S.C. 723]

authorization for appropriations
Sec. 214.
(a)

Secretary.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for purposes of preparing the reports and exercising other functions to be performed by him under this Act such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $12,500,000, to remain available until expended. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to discharge the obligations of the United States arising under section 303(c)(5) of this Act.
(b)

Office.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for the use of the Office in carrying out its functions under this Act such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $7,000,000, to remain available until expended. The budget for the Office shall be submitted by the Commission directly to the Congress and shall not be subject to review of any kind by any other agency or official of the United States. Moneys appropriated for the Office shall not be withheld by any agency or official of the United States or used by the Commission for any purpose other than the use of the Office. No part of any other moneys appropriated to the Commission shall be withheld by any other agency or official of the United States to offset any moneys appropriated pursuant to this subsection.
(c)

Association.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Association for purposes of carrying out its administrative expenses under this Act not to exceed $13,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, and not to exceed $4,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983. Sums appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended.
[45 U.S.C. 724]

interim agreements
Sec. 215.
(a)

Purposes.—
Prior to the date upon which rail properties are conveyed to the Corporation under this Act, the Secretary, with the approval of the Association, is authorized to enter into agreements with the trustees of the railroads in reorganization in the region (or railroads leased, operated, or controlled by railroads in reorganization)—
(1)
to perform the program maintenance on designated rail properties of such railroads until the date rail properties are conveyed under this Act;
(2)
to improve rail properties of such railroads; and
(3)
to acquire rail properties for lease or loan to any such railroads until the date such rail properties are conveyed under this Act, and subsequently for conveyance pursuant to the final system plan, or to acquire interests in such rail properties owned by or leased to any such railroads or in purchase money obligations therefor.
(b)

Conditions.—
Agreements pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall contain such reasonable terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe. In addition, agreements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall provide that—
(1)
to the extent that physical condition is used as a basis for determining, under section 206(f) or 303(c) of this Act, the value of properties subject to such an agreement and designated for transfer to the Corporation under the final system plan, the physical condition of the properties on the effective date of the agreement shall be used; and
(2)
in the event that property subject to the agreement is sold, leased, or transferred to an entity other than the Corporation, the trustees or railroad shall pay or assign to the Secretary that portion of the proceeds of such sale, lease, or transfer which reflects value attributable to the maintenance and improvement provided pursuant to the agreement.
(c)

Obligations.—
Notwithstanding section 210(b) of this title, the Association shall issue obligations under section 210(a) of this title in an amount sufficient to finance such agreements and shall require the Corporation to assume any such obligations. The aggregate amount of obligations issued under this section and outstanding at any one time shall not exceed $300,000,000. The Association, with the approval of the Secretary, shall designate in the final system plan that portion of such obligations issued or to be issued which shall be refinanced and the terms thereof, and that portion from which the Corporation shall be released of its obligations.
(d)

Conveyance.—
The Secretary may convey to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof with or without receipt of consideration, any property or interests acquired by, transferred to, or otherwise held by the Secretary pursuant to this section or section 213 of this Act.
[45 U.S.C. 725]

debentures and series a preferred stock
Sec. 216.
(a)

General.—
The Association is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and such rules and regulations as it may prescribe, to invest from time to time in the securities of the Corporation by purchasing (1) up to $1,000,000,000 of debentures issued by the Corporation, and (2) after the acquisition of such debentures, up to $2,629,000,000 of the Series A preferred stock of the Corporation.
(b)

Purposes and Procedure for Investment.—
(1)
The Association is authorized to purchase debentures and, thereafter, series A preferred stock of the Corporation at such times and in such amounts as may be required and requested by the Corporation in accordance with the terms and conditions governing such purchases (which shall be prescribed by the Association), to provide—
(A)
for the modernization, rehabilitation and maintenance of rail properties of the Corporation;
(B)
for the acquisition of equipment and other capital needs;
(C)
for the refinancing of indebtedness which was incurred by the Corporation under section 211 of this title or which was incurred under section 215 of this title and assumed by the Corporation; or
(D)
working capital as contemplated by the final system plan.
(2)
Purchases of up to $1,000,000,000 of debentures and, thereafter, of up to $2,300,000,000 of series A preferred stock shall be made by the Association as required and requested by the Corporation, unless the Finance Committee makes an affirmative finding that—
(A)
the Corporation has failed in any material respect to comply with any covenants or undertakings made to the Association and such failure remains uncorrected;
(B)
the Corporation has failed substantially (as determined by performance within the margins prescribed by the Board of Directors) to attain the overall operating (including rehabilitation) and financial results projected for the Corporation in the final system plan (including any modifications of such projected results and of the performance margins applicable to such projected results which are jointly approved by the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors and which would improve the possibility that the Corporation will attain such projected results and perform within such margins, as modified); or
(C)
it is not reasonably likely, taking into consideration all relevant factors including the overall operating (including rehabilitation) and financial results achieved by the Corporation, that the Corporation will be able to become financially self-sustaining without requiring Federal financial assistance substantially in excess of the amounts authorized in this section.
(3)
(A)
Amounts transferred to the Association pursuant to section 509(b)(1) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 may be used to purchase series A preferred stock of the Corporation to provide for the implementation by the Corporation of a program to reduce the Corporation's work force, if the Finance Committee finds that the implementation of such program will result in substantial savings to the United States.
(B)
An employee who ceases to be an employee as a result of the reduction of work force under a program implemented pursuant to this paragraph shall not, by reason of so ceasing to be an employee, or by reason of any work or employment entered into after so ceasing to be an employee, lose such employee's current connection with the railroad industry for the purposes of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.
(4)
Purchases of up to $329,000,000 of a series A preferred stock shall be made by the Association, subject to the availability of appropriations, as required and requested by the Corporation, if the Finance Committee makes an affirmative finding that the Corporation has taken appropriate action to eliminate losses on light density lines and other lines which are unprofitable. Such action shall include the imposition of surcharges on such lines, the abandonment of such lines, and the transfer of such lines.
(5)
The authority of the Association to purchase debentures or series A preferred stock of the Corporation shall terminate upon the date of the enactment of the Conrail Privatization Act.
(c)

Finding, Direction, and Review by Congress.—
(1)
If the Finance Committee makes an affirmative finding pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section, it may direct the Association—
(A)
not to purchase any debentures or series A preferred stock of the Corporation after the date of such affirmative finding; or
(B)
to purchase debentures or series A preferred stock of the Corporation, after the date of such affirmative finding, only in such amounts, at such times, and on such terms and conditions (notwithstanding subsection (e)(1) of this section) as the Finance Committee determines to be appropriate to the role of the Association as an investor in such debentures and series A preferred stock.
(2)
A copy of each affirmative finding, the reasons thereof, and each direction made by the Finance Committee under paragraph (1) of this subsection, together with the comments and recommendations thereon of the Board of Directors of the Association, shall be transmitted to the Congress by the Association within 10 days after the date on which the Finance Committee makes such finding and direction, or if not so transmitted, shall be transmitted by the Finance Committee. Each such direction so transmitted shall become finally effective and is required to be implemented by the Association, unless within the first period of 30 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date of its transmittal to Congress either House of Congress disapproves such direction (except that such direction shall become finally effective immediately upon approval of such direction by both Houses of Congress) in accordance with the procedures specified in section 1017 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (31 U.S.C. 1407). For purposes of this paragraph, continuity of session of Congress is broken only in the circumstances described in section 1011(5) of that Act (31 U.S.C. 1401(5)). During review by the Association and Congress, the Association shall take no action inconsistent with the direction of the Finance Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section, except to the extent the Association finds necessary, in its discretion, to assure continuous orderly operation of the Corporation.
(3)
If the Congress, pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, disapproves a direction submitted to the Association pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Association shall continue to purchase the debentures or series A preferred stock of the Corporation as otherwise provided in this title until such time as a direction is submitted under this section which is not so disapproved (or affirmatively approved). The powers of the Association and of the Board of Directors of the Association shall remain in effect except to the extent modified by any such direction. If any such direction is disapproved by either House of Congress, the Finance Committee may, not earlier than 30 days after the date of such disapproval, make (and the Board of Directors of the Association shall transmit) any additional affirmative finding and direction with respect to the same matter, which direction shall become effective in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection. An affirmative finding and direction under this subsection, or action by the Association during a review thereof by the Congress, may not be held unlawful or set aside by any reviewing court on the ground that such finding and direction or action were not adequate to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A), (E), or (F) of section 706(2) of title 5, United States Code.
(4)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, or any terms and conditions governing its purchase of securities of the Corporation, the Association shall, upon written application by the Corporation at least 30 days prior to such investment, make an initial investment in debentures of the Corporation within 60 days after the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act. Such initial investment shall be limited to such amounts as the Association and Finance Committee, acting jointly, determine are necessary for the continued and orderly operations of the Corporation prior to any additional investment.
(5)
Not later than 60 days after the date of conveyance pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, the Association shall select 6 individuals to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of section 301(d) of this Act.
(d)

Terms and Conditions.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of State law, the debentures and the series A preferred stock of the Corporation shall have such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the final system plan or this title, as may be prescribed by the Association, except as follows:
(1)
The Corporation shall not be required to issue to the Association additional shares of series A preferred stock of the Corporation as a dividend on any such stock.
(2)
The dividends payable on series A preferred stock of the Corporation shall not be cumulative and shall be paid in cash when and to the extent that there is “cash available for restricted cash payments”, as that term is defined in the final system plan.
(3)
After the Association calls for redemption of the certificates of value, no shares of series A preferred stock of the Corporation shall be issued in lieu of interest on the debentures of the Corporation and, to the extent such interest is not payable in cash by reason of the absence of sufficient “cash available for restricted cash payment”, the Corporation shall deliver to the holders of the debentures contingent interest notes in a face amount equal to such unpaid interest.
(4)
If the Board of Directors of the Association and the Finance Committee, acting jointly, modify the terms or conditions governing the purchase of debentures or series A preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of this section, or if the Finance Committee waives compliance with any term, condition, provision, or covenant of such securities pursuant to subsection (e)(2) of this section, the Finance Committee may require the Corporation to issue contingent interest notes in such amount as, in the determination of the Finance Committee, will provide protection for the United States, in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or receivership of the Corporation, equal to the protection of the United States would have had in the absence of such modification or waiver.
(5)
The contingent interest notes issued pursuant to this section shall bear interest compounded annually at the rate of 8 percent per annum and such notes and the accumulated interest thereon shall be payable only in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or receivership of the Corporation occurring prior to the repayment and redemption of all outstanding debentures and accumulated series A preferred stock of the Corporation. The contingent interest notes and the accumulated interest thereon shall have the same priority in bankruptcy, reorganization, or receivership as the debentures of the Corporation. The other terms and conditions of the contingent interest notes shall be as set forth in an agreement to be entered into between the Association and the Corporation prior to issuance of any debentures.
(e)

Modifications, Waivers, and Conversions.—
(1)
The Board of Directors of the Association and the Finance Committee, acting jointly, may agree with the Corporation to modify any of the terms and conditions governing the purchase by the Association of securities of the Corporation, upon a finding that such action is necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Act or the goals of the final system plan.
(2)
The Finance Committee may, in its discretion and upon a finding that such action is necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Act or the goals of the final system plan, waive compliance with any term, condition, provision, or covenant of the securities of the Corporation held by the Association, including any provision of such securities with respect to redemption of principal or issuance price, payment of interest or dividends, or any term or condition governing the purchase of such securities.
(3)
Notwithstanding any provision of State law, there shall be no conversion of the debentures of the Corporation into series A preferred stock of the Corporation, as provided in the terms and conditions of the debentures and pursuant to the final system plan, unless the Board of Directors of the Association and the Finance Committee jointly determine to effect such conversion.
(f)
(1)
The Association shall not invest the final $345,000,000 of the additional investment in the Corporation authorized by the Regional Rail Reorganization Act Amendments of 1978 unless and until (A) the Corporation has in effect an employee stock ownership plan which satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3), and (B) the requirements of the other paragraphs of this subsection have been satisfied.
(2)
The employee stock ownership plan shall:
(A)
provide:
(i)
for a transfer to the plan and allocation to the accounts of plan participants in periodic installments of Series A preferred stock of the Corporation with a stated redemption value of at least $345,000,000 or any other securities in an amount determined by the Association, with the concurrence of the Finance Committee, as constituting a meaningful interest in the Corporation, or any combination thereof so determined by the Association, with the concurrence of the Finance Committee. The use of Series A preferred stock to fund the Employee Stock Ownership Plan shall not be interpreted to relieve ConRail of the responsibility for repaying in full to the United States Railway Association its indebtedness as represented by all shares originally issued under Public Law 94–210 and this Act;
(ii)
for immediate vesting of the rights of participants to such securities upon allocation, subject to defeasance as a result of the plan's termination which termination shall occur in the event that, by the end of the 120th month beginning after the month in which securities or interests therein are first allocated to participants' accounts, the Corporation has not attained for two consecutive quarters positive net income and a freight labor cost to freight revenue ratio equal to the average such ratio for all Class I railroads in 1977, as determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Corporation pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Association with the concurrence of the Finance Committee;
(B)
be an employee benefit plan which is designed to invest primarily in employer securities;
(C)
meets such other requirements (similar to requirements applicable to employee stock ownership plans as defined in section 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate may describe;
(D)
have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner which may be required by the Corporation's articles of incorporation and bylaws then in effect; and
(E)
have been prepared in consultation with, and been approved by, the Association and the Finance Committee.
(3)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a plan does not meet the requirements of section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954—
(A)
stock transferred under paragraph (2) and allocated to the account of any participant under paragraph (2) shall not be considered income of the participant or his beneficiary under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 until such stock or dividends are actually distributed or made available to the participant or his beneficiary and, at such time, shall be taxable under section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (treating the participant or his beneficiary as having a basis of 0 in the stock);
(B)
no amount shall be allocated to any participant under the plan in excess of the amount which might be allocated if the plan met the requirements of section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and
(C)
the plan must meet the requirements of sections 410 and 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
(4)
The Corporation shall adopt such terms and conditions governing the securities or interests therein to be transferred to the plan (including limitations on voting rights) as the Association, with the concurrence of the Finance Committee, determines are necessary to protect reasonably the interests of the United States in the litigation pursuant to section 303(c) of this Act and in the event of any action to further reorganize or restructure the Corporation's assets or capital structure.
(5)
The Corporation, the Association, and a representative appointed by the Chairman of the Railway Labor Executives' Association as representative of all the classes or crafts of employees of the Corporation shall engage in negotiations to agree upon a plan in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, the Railway Labor Executives' Association shall be deemed to represent all of the representatives of crafts or classes of employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as though that organization held powers of attorney from each representative of a craft or class for the limited purposes of negotiating and agreeing upon an employee stock ownership plan. The parties shall incorporate their agreement into a written plan instrument specifying the terms and conditions set forth in this subsection and such other terms and conditions as they may decide upon, with the concurrence of the Finance Committee, unless the parties are unable to reach on an1 agreement on the plan following the exertion of every reasonable effort to do so, in accordance with the Railway Labor Act, in which event, the Corporation and the Association, with the concurrence of the Finance Committee, shall establish a written plan with such terms and conditions as they may agree upon in accordance with this subsection. The plan shall not be subject to change under the provisions of section 6 of the Railway Labor Act until after such time as securities have been distributed from the plan to the participants in the plan or their beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of the plan. Within one year after the effective date of this subsection, the Corporation shall transmit a draft of such plan to the Congress and shall report on its progress in establishing and administering the plan. The report shall include recommendations of contractual and statutory provisions necessary to reasonably (A) exempt any Trustee of the plan, the Corporation, the Association, any member of the Finance Committee, and any other person from any fiduciary duty, responsibility or liability for the acquisition of, investment in, or retention of any security or interest therein of the Corporation or for any other transaction contemplated by this subsection and (B) provide for the United States to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless such persons against any and all liabilities, claims, actions, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, and costs and expenses actually incurred in connection with any matter so exempted in which it is determined that such persons were acting in good faith and in a manner they believed to not be opposed to the best interests of the plan.
^1
So in law. The phrase “reach on an” probably should read “reach an”.
(6)
Within fourteen months of the effective date of this subsection, the Association shall report to the Congress on the draft plan and on any legal obstacle to the ability of the Corporation to effectuate and implement an employee stock ownership plan of the nature contemplated by this subsection, including specific recommendations on amendments to this subsection and other relevant laws which would harmonize the requirements of this subsection with those other laws. The Department of Transportation and the Department of the Treasury, as each finds appropriate, shall provide separate comments to the Association for inclusion with such report.
(7)
For the purposes of this subsection, the officers of each duly authorized representative of the crafts or classes of the employees of the Corporation who have been given leaves of absence by the Corporation to serve as such officers, are to be eligible to participate in such plan on the same basis as are employees whose employment is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with the Corporation.
(8)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, no person described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph shall have or be subject to any fiduciary responsibility, obligation, or duty, nor shall any such person be subject to civil liability, under any Federal or State law, as a fiduciary or otherwise—
(i)
in connection with the employee stock ownership plan and related trust established by the Corporation pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or with ConRail Equity Corporation (I) on account of any reorganization or restructuring of the Corporation, its successors or assigns, or their assets or capital structure, or (II) on account of any action taken or not taken by the Corporation which may affect its ability to attain the performance levels established in connection with the plan pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(ii) of this subsection;
(ii)
for or in connection with the establishment, continuation or implementation of the plan and related trust or of ConRail Equity Corporation or the acquisition of, investment in or retention of any security of the Corporation or ConRail Equity Corporation, or of any of their successors and assigns, by the plan or ConRail Equity Corporation, or the disposition of any such security to the extent that such disposition is made in connection with a reorganization or restructuring of the Corporation, its successors and assigns, or their assets or capital structure, as directed or approved by or on behalf of the Association or the United States, or the acquisition or retention of any cash, security or other property received in connection with any such reorganization or restructuring; or
(iii)
for or in connection with any other action taken or not taken pursuant to any term or condition of the plan or related trust agreement or of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of ConRail Equity Corporation.
Any directions described in clauses (i)(I), (ii), or (iii) shall be taken at the direction, or with the consent, of the Association or of the Secretary or his designate.
(B)
Subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not be interpreted to relieve any person from any fiduciary or other responsibility, obligation or duty under any Federal or State law to take or not to take actions with respect to the plan in connection with (i) receiving contributions, (ii) exercising custodial responsibilities, (iii) determining eligibility to participate in the plan, (iv) calculating, determining and paying benefits, (v) processing and deciding claims, (vi) preparing and distributing plan information, benefit statements, returns and reports, (vii) maintaining plan records, (viii) appointing plan fiduciaries and other persons to advise or assist in plan administration and (ix) other than as provided in subparagraph (A), acquiring, holding or disposing of plan assets.
(C)
For purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the term “person” includes each of the following:
(i)
the trustee or trustees of the plan, the Corporation and its subsidiaries, ConRail Equity Corporation, the Association, and any of their successors and assigns;
(ii)
each director, officer, employee and agent of the Corporation of1 any of its subsidiaries, of ConRail Equity Corporation, of the plan, of the Association or of any of their successors and assigns; and
^1
So in law. The word “of” probably should read “or”.
(iii)
each member of the Finance Committee and any of their employees and agents.
(D)
Neither this paragraph nor paragraph (9) of this subsection shall be construed to grant immunity from any criminal law of the United States or of any State or the District of Columbia.
(9)
The United States shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the persons described in paragraph (8)(C) of this subsection from and against any and all liabilities, claims, actions, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, and costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of accountants, experts, and attorneys) actually incurred in connection with the establishment, implementation, or operation of the plan or ConRail Equity Corporation or with any transaction which is required by or is appropriate to effectuate fully the provisions of this subsection, except as may arise in connection with the execution of a responsibility, obligation, or duty excluded from paragraph (8)(A) by paragraph (8)(B), if it is determined that such persons were acting in good faith. The indemnity provided in this paragraph shall be a full faith and credit obligation of the United States.
(10)
All securities of the Corporation, all securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation and of ConRail Equity Corporation, and all interests in the employee stock ownership plan which are issued or transferred in connection with the employee stock ownership plan established by the Corporation pursuant to the requirements of this subsection shall be deemed for all purposes to have been issued subject to and authorized and approved pursuant to section 11301(b) of title 49 of the United States Code and any corresponding provision of any successor statute.
(g)

Appropriation.—
(1)
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Association $3,629,000,000 to be used for the purchase of securities of the Corporation in accordance with this section. All sums received by the Association on account of the holding or disposition of any such securities shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
(2)
To the extent provided in appropriation Acts, any funds appropriated under the authority of paragraph (1) of this subsection prior to the date of enactment of the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982 may be reappropriated to the Secretary, to facilitate the transfer of rail commuter services from the Corporation to other operators, for distribution under the statutory provisions of section 1139(b) of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981.
[45 U.S.C. 726]

additional purchases of series a preferred stock
Sec. 217.
(a)

Federal Investment.—
In addition to the authority provided under section 216 of this Act, the Association shall purchase shares of Series A preferred stock and accounts receivable of the Corporation after the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, in amounts not to exceed a total of $137,000,000.
(b)

Accounts Receivable.—
(1)
In any further purchase under this section or section 216 of this title the Association shall purchase accounts receivable of the Corporation attributable to the dispute over the right-of-way related costs described in section 1163 of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 until the Commission resolves such dispute under such section, and accounts receivable of the Corporation attributable to delays in reimbursement from commuter authorities.
(2)
From funds provided under this section or section 216 of this Act, the Association shall purchase Series A preferred stock of the Corporation, to the extent of losses on commuter service, in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000.
(c)

States and Localities.—
The Corporation shall be exempt from liability for any State tax, except for any tax imposed by any political subdivision of a State, applicable to any taxable period commencing before January 1, 1987.
(d)
Debentures.—The Association shall return debentures to the Corporation in an amount equal to the value of the properties conveyed by the Corporation to Amtrak Commuter and any commuter authority.
(e)

Rights Retained.—
The Corporation shall retain the right to collect any accounts receivable attributable to delays in reimbursement from commuter authorities that are purchased by the Association under this section. No agency or instrumentality of the United States shall be required to collect such accounts.
(f)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
(1)
There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $262,000,000—
(A)
of which not to exceed $137,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Association for purposes of purchasing securities and accounts receivable of the Corporation under this section, such sums to remain available until the Secretary transfers the Corporation under title IV of this Act;
(B)
of which not to exceed $75,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Secretary, to facilitate the transfer of rail commuter services from the Corporation to other operators, for distribution under the statutory provisions of section 1139(b) of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981;
(C)
of which not to exceed $35,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Secretary to be allocated for employee protection under section 106 of the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1005); and
(D)
of which not to exceed $15,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Secretary to facilitate the transfer of rail commuter services from railroads that entered reorganization after calendar year 1974 to any commuter authority that was providing commuter service, operated by a railroad that entered reorganization after calendar year 1974, as of January 1, 1979.
(2)
All sums received on account of the holding or disposition of any securities or accounts receivable referred to in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
(3)
The amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection shall be reduced, in an amount equal to any amounts reappropriated under the authority of section 216(g)(2) of this Act, upon the date of enactment of any Act which reappropriates such amounts.
[45 U.S.C. 727]

united states railway association reports
Sec. 218.
(a)

Progress and Evaluation.—
(1)
The Association shall prepare and submit to Congress periodic reports on the progress of the Secretary in carrying out the provisions of titles II, III, and IV of this Act.
(2)
Reports submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall also include an evaluation of the performance of the Corporation in order to keep the Congress informed as to matters which may affect the quality of rail service in the Northeast and which may affect the security of Federal funds invested in the Corporation.
(b)

Transfer Agreements.—
(1)
The Association shall prepare and submit to Congress a final report on the transfer agreements which the Secretary is required to transmit to Congress under section 407 of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Such report shall be submitted on the same date as the Secretary's transmittal of such agreements to Congress.
(2)
The report submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include an evaluation of the effect of the transfer agreements on rail service in the Northeast, railroad employees, the economy of the Region, other railroads in the Northeast and elsewhere, and any other matter which the Association considers appropriate. Such report shall also include recommendations with respect to approval, disapproval, or modification of the transfer agreements.
[45 U.S.C. 728]

advisory board
Sec. 219.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Association serving on the day before the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, shall serve as an Advisory Board to the Association. A member of the Advisory Board who is not otherwise an employee of the Federal Government shall receive reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such duties. The Chairman of the Association shall serve as Chairman of the Advisory Board. Any vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be filled by the Association with a representative from the group which had a representative in the vacant position.
[45 U.S.C. 729]
TITLE III—

CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION

formation and structure
Sec. 301.
(a)

Establishment.—
There shall be established within 300 days after the date of enactment of this Act, in accordance with the provisions of this section, a corporation to be known as the Consolidated Rail Corporation or such other corporate name as may be duly adopted by the Corporation.
(b)

Status.—
The Corporation shall be a for-profit corporation establishment under the laws of a State and shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government. The Corporation shall be deemed a rail carrier subject to part A of subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, shall be subject to the provisions of this Act and, to the extent not inconsistent with such Acts, shall be subject to applicable State law. The principal office of the Corporation or of its principal railroad operating subsidiary shall be located in Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(c)

Incorporators.—
(1)
The members of the executive committee of the Association shall be the incorporators of the Corporation and shall take whatever steps are necessary to establish the Corporation, including the filing of articles of incorporation.
(2)
Notwithstanding any provision of State law, after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the members of the executive committee of the Association (including duly authorized representatives of members who are authorized by this Act to be represented) and the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of the Corporation shall adopt the bylaws of the Corporation and serve as the Board of Directors of the Corporation until all members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation have been selected in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. The chief executive officer shall serve as chairman of such Board until a chairman thereof is selected pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, after which time such chairman shall serve at the pleasure of such Board.
(d)

Board of Directors.—
(1)
Notwithstanding any provision of State law, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation shall provide that the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of 13 members selected in accordance with the articles and bylaws of the Corporation, as follows:
(A)
six individuals selected by the holders of the Corporation's debentures and series A preferred stock voting as one class, with every $100 principal amount of debentures, and every $100 liquidation amount of series A preferred stock each receiving one vote for directors;
(B)
three individuals selected by the holders of the Corporation's series B preferred stock; and
(C)
two individuals selected by the holders of the Corporation's common stock.
(2)
The chief executive officer and the chief operating officer of the Corporation shall also serve on the Board, but the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of the Corporation shall not be entitled to vote on the election or removal of either. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors due to death, disability, or resignation of a director, such vacancy shall be filled only by a vote of the holders of the class of securities that initially elected such director.
(e)

Initial Capitalization.—
(1)
The Corporation is authorized to issue debentures series A preferred stock, series B preferred stock, common stock, contingent interest notes, and other securities.
(2)
Debentures and series A preferred stock shall be issued initially to the Association. Series B preferred stock and common stock shall be issued initially to the estates of railroads in reorganization in the region, to railroads leased, operated, and controlled by railroads in reorganization in the region, and to other persons leased, operated or controlled by a railroad in reorganization who are transferors of rail properties in exchange for rail properties transferred to the Corporation pursuant to the final system plan. Notwithstanding any other provisions of State or Federal law, the series B preferred stock and common stock shall have terms and conditions not inconsistent with the final system plan. As a condition of its investment in the Corporation, the Association may require that the Corporation adopt limitations consistent with the final system plan on the circumstances under which dividends on the series B preferred stock and common stock are payable so long as any of the debentures or series A preferred stock are outstanding. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the final system plan, the initial authorized number of shares of series B preferred stock may be 35,000,000, and the Corporation may issue initially for the purpose of the deposit required under section 303(a)(1) of this Act such numbers of shares of series B preferred and common stock as the Association shall certify to the Special Court pursuant to section 209(c)(1)(3)1 of this Act, including any modifications in such numbers of shares as may be ordered by the Special Court for the purpose of, and in connection with, such deposit and certification.
^1
So in law. The reference to “209(c)(1)(3)” probably should be to “209(c)(3)”.
(f)

Officers.—
The officers of the Corporation shall include a chief executive officer and a chief operating officer, who shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board; and such other officers as shall be provided for in the bylaws of the Corporation.
(g)

Voting Trustees.—
For and during the period between the deposit of securities of the Corporation with the special court, in accordance with section 303(a) of this title, and the distribution of such securities, in accordance with section 303(c) of this title, the special court shall, within 30 days after the date of conveyance pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this Act, appoint one or more voting trustees for each class of securities which is so deposited. Such voting trustees shall, on behalf of the distributees, exercise the rights of the holders of such securities as their interests may appear. Within 30 days after such appointment, such voting trustees shall select members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation on behalf of the holders of the class of securities whose rights they exercise pursuant to this subsection.
(h)

Annual Report.—
The Corporation shall transmit to the Congress and the President, not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a comprehensive and detailed report on all activities and accomplishments of the Corporation during the preceding fiscal year.
(i)

Liability of Directors.—
No director of the Corporation shall be liable, for money damages or otherwise, to any party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, if, with respect to the subject matter of the action, suit, or proceeding, such person was fulfilling a duty which he in good faith reasonably believed to be required by law or vested in him in his capacity as a director of the Association or as an officer of the United States. The United States shall indemnify such person against all judgments, amounts paid in settlement, and costs and expenses (including fees of accountants, experts, and attorneys), actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action, suit, or proceeding in which such person is determined to have met such standard of conduct. This subsection shall not be construed to grant any immunity from any criminal law of the United States.
(j)

Signal Systems.—
If, within two years after the effective date of this subsection, the Corporation applies for the permission of the Secretary to substitute manual block signal systems for automatic block signal systems on lines on which less than 20,000,000 gross tons of freight are carried annually, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove such application within 90 days of its submission.
(k)

Governing Provisions After Sale.—
The provisions of this Act shall not apply to the Corporation and to activities and other actions and responsibilities of the Corporation and its directors and employees after the sale date, other than with regard to—
(1)
section 102;
(2)
section 201(d);
(3)
section 203, but only with respect to information relating to proceedings before the special court established under section 209(b);
(4)
section 209, other than subsection (f) thereof;
(5)
section 216(f)(8), but only as such authority applies to activities related to the ESOP and related trust before the sale date;
(6)
section 216(f)(9), but only as such indemnification applies to activities relating to the ESOP and related trust before the sale date;
(7)
section 216(f)(10) with respect to all securities of the Corporation issued or transferred in connection with the public offering under the Conrail Privatization Act and all securities of ConRail Equity Corporation and all interests in the ESOP;
(8)
section 217 (c) and (e);
(9)
subsection (b) of this section, but only with respect to matters covered by the last sentence of such subsection;
(10)
subsection (i) of this section, but only as such authority applies to service as a director of the Corporation before the sale of the interest of the United States in the common stock of the Corporation;
(11)
section 302, but only to the extent of (A) the creation and maintenance of the power and authority of the Corporation to operate rail service and to rehabilitate, improve, and modernize rail properties, and (B) the creation and maintenance of the powers of the Corporation as a railroad in any State in which it operates as of the sale date;
(12)
section 303(b) (1) and (2), but only to the extent of establishing the legal effect of the conveyance of property ordered and of the deeds and other instruments executed, acknowledged, delivered, or recorded in connection therewith and the quality of title acquired in such property;
(13)
section 303(b)(3)(B) with respect to the effect of an assignment, conveyance, or assumption as set forth in the last sentence of such subparagraph (B);
(14)
section 303(b)(5);
(15)
section 303(b)(6), but only with respect to establishing and maintaining the rights of the Corporation with respect to, limiting its obligations with respect to, and establishing the status of, the employee pension and welfare benefit plans transferred to the Corporation thereunder and with respect to the exclusivity of the jurisdiction of the special court and the limitation of jurisdiction of other courts;
(16)
Section 303(e);
(17)
section 304, but only with respect to the finality of abandonments completed before the sale date pursuant to the authority thereof;
(18)
section 305, but only as to the effect, and continuing administration, of supplemental transactions consummated before the sale date;
(19)
section 308, but only (A) as to the finality of abandonments completed before the sale date and (B) as to abandonments of lines where a notice or notices of insufficient revenues with respect to such lines have been filed before November 1, 1985;
(20)
section 601(a)(2), but only with respect to activities before the sale date;
(21)
section 601 (b)(2) and (b)(3), but only with respect to issuance of and transactions in any security of the Corporation before the sale date;
(22)
section 702(e);
(23)
section 703;
(24)
section 704;
(25)
sections 706(a), 707, and 708(a), but only insofar as they establish part of the prevailing status quo for the Corporation's employees' rates of pay, rules, and working conditions, such provisions to continue to apply unless changed pursuant to section 6 of Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 156);
(26)
section 709;
(27)
section 710(b)(1);
(28)
section 711; and
(29)
section 714, but only with regard to disputes or controversies specified in such section that arose before the sale date.
[45 U.S.C. 741]

powers and duties of the corporation
Sec. 302.
The Corporation shall have all of the powers and is subject to all of the duties vested in it under this Act, in addition to the powers conferred upon it under the laws of the State or States in which it is incorporated and the powers of a railroad in any State in which it operates. The Corporation is authorized and directed to—
(a)
acquire rail properties designated in the final system plan to be transferred or conveyed to it;
(b)
operate rail service over such rail properties except as provided under sections 304(e) and 601(d)(3) of this Act;
(c)
rehabilitate, improve, and modernize such rail properties; and
(d)
maintain adequate and efficient rail services.
So long as 50 per centum or more, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, of the outstanding indebtedness of the Corporation consists of obligations of the Association or other debts owing to or guaranteed by the United States, the Corporation shall not engage in activities which are not related to transportation.
[45 U.S.C. 742]

valuation and conveyance of rail properties
Sec. 303.
(a)

Deposit With Court.—
Within 10 days after delivery of a certified copy of a final system plan pursuant to section 209(c) of this Act—
(1)
the Corporation, in exchange for the rail properties of the railroads in reorganization in the region and of railroads leased, operated, or controlled by railroads in reorganization in the region to be transferred to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, shall deposit with the special court all of the stock and other securities of the Corporation and certificates of value issued by the Association designated in the final system plan to be exchanged for such rail properties;
(2)
each profitable railroad operating in the region and each State or responsible person (including a government entity) purchasing rail properties from a railroad in reorganization in the region, or from a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization in the region, as provided in the final system plan shall deposit with the special court the compensation to be paid for such rail properties.
(b)

Conveyance of Rail Properties.—
(1)
The special court shall, within 10 days after deposit under subsection (a) of this section of the securities of the Corporation, certificates of value issued by the Association, and compensation from the profitable railroads operating in the region, States, and responsible persons, order the trustee or trustees of each railroad in reorganization in the region to convey forthwith to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, the respective profitable railroads operating in the region, States, and responsible persons, all right, title, and interest in the rail properties of such railroad in reorganization and shall itself order the conveyance of all right, title, and interest in the rail properties of any person leased, operated, or controlled by such railroad in reorganization that are to be conveyed to them under the final system plan as certified to such court under section 209(d) of this Act. In any case where the special court orders the trustee or trustees of a railroad in reorganization in the region to execute and deliver deeds or other instruments conveying rail properties to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof or to a profitable railroad operating in the region or a State or responsible person, those deeds or other instruments may be executed, acknowledged, and delivered on behalf of the trustee or trustees by any person or persons who have been duly authorized to perform such acts on behalf of the trustee or trustees by the district court of the United States or any other court having jurisdiction over the respective railroad in reorganization in the region. Notwithstanding any provision of State or local law, in any case where deeds or other instruments have been executed, acknowledged, or delivered by a representative of the trustee or trustees of a railroad in reorganization in the region in accordance with the previous sentence, such execution, acknowledgment, and delivery, and the deeds or other instruments to which they pertain, shall have the same legal effect as they would have had if the trustee or trustees had themselves executed, acknowledged and delivered such deeds or other instruments.
(2)
All rail properties conveyed to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, the respective profitable railroads operating in the region, States, and responsible persons under this section shall be conveyed free and clear of any liens or encumbrances, but subject to such leases and agreements as shall have previously burdened such properties or bound the owner or operator thereof in pursuance of an arrangement with any State, or local or regional transportation authority under which financial support from such State, or local or regional transportation authority was being provided at the time of enactment of this Act for the continuance of rail passenger service or any lien or encumbrance of no greater than 5 years' duration which is necessary for the contractual performance by any person of duties related to public health or sanitation. Such conveyances shall not be restrained or enjoined by any court.
(3)
(A)
(i)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if an interest in railroad rolling stock is included in the rail properties conveyed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of this section, and if such conveyance is in accordance with the requirements of clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the conveyance of such properties shall be deemed an assignment. Any such assignment shall relieve the assignor of liability for any breach which occurs after the date of such conveyance, except that such assignor shall remain liable for any breach, event of default, or violation of covenant which occurred (and any charges or obligations which accrued) prior to the date of such conveyance, regardless of whether the assignee thereof assumes such liabilities, charges or obligations. If any such liabilities, charges, or obligations (accrued prior to the date of such conveyance) are paid by or on behalf of any person or entity other than such assignor, such person or entity shall have a claim to direct reimbursement, as a current expense of administration, from such assignor, together with interest on the amount so paid.
(ii)
A conveyance referred to in clause (i) of this subparagraph may be effected only if—
(I)
the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof, the profitable railroad operating in the region, or the State or responsible person to whom such conveyance is made assumes all of the obligations under any applicable conditional sale agreement, equipment trust agreement, or lease with respect to such rolling stock (including any obligations which accrued prior to the date on which such properties are conveyed), and
(II)
such conveyance is made subject to such obligations.
As used in this subparagraph, the term “railroad rolling stock” means assets which could be carried in Interstate Commerce Commission account numbers 52, 53, 54, and 57.
(B)
Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the provisions of this Act shall not affect the title and interests of any lessor, equipment trust trustee, or conditional sale vendor under any conditional sale agreement, equipment trust agreement, or lease under section 77(j) of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205(j)). A profitable railroad operating in the region, the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof, or a State or responsible person, to whom such a conveyance is made as assignee or as lessee, shall assume all liability under such conditional sale agreement, equipment trust agreement, or lease. Such an assignment or conveyance to, and such an assumption of liability by, such a profitable railroad, Corporation, subsidiary, State, or responsible person shall not be deemed a breach, an event of default, or a violation of any covenant of any such conditional sale agreement, equipment trust agreement, or lease so assigned or conveyed, notwithstanding any provisions of any such agreement or lease.
(4)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, if a railroad in reorganization has leased rail properties from a lessor that is neither a railroad nor controlled by or affiliated with a railroad, and such lease has been approved by the lessee railroad's reorganization court prior to the date of enactment of this Act, conveyance of such lease may only be effected if the Corporation, profitable railroad, State, or responsible person to whom the conveyance is made assumes all future liability under such lease and all of the terms and conditions specified in the lease, including the obligation to pay the specified rent to the non-railroad lessor.
(5)
Notwithstanding any covenant, undertaking, condition, or provision of any sort in any lease, agreement, or contract, the conveyance, transfer, assignment, or other disposition of such lease, agreement, or contract or of any interest therein to, or the assumption by, the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, or a profitable railroad of obligations thereunder, shall not be deemed a breach, an event of default, or a violation of any covenant of such lease, agreement, or contract.
(6)
(A)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act or any other other1 provision of law, the special court shall include in its order such further directions as may be necessary to assure (i) that the operation and administration of the employee pension benefit plans described in section 505(a) of this Act shall be continued, without termination or interruption, by the Corporation until such time as the Corporation elects to amend or terminate any such plan, in whole or in part; and (ii) that appropriate transfers and assignments with respect to all rights and obligations relating to such plans shall be made to the Corporation for such purposes, without prejudice to payment of consideration for whatever rights any railroad in reorganization may have in any residual assets under any such employee pension benefit plan. No court shall enter any judgment against the Corporation with respect to any such rights, except that the special court may enter such a judgment in an order issued by it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, after taking into consideration the rights and obligations transferred pursuant to this paragraph. All liabilities as an employer shall be imposed solely upon the railroad in reorganization in the event such plan is terminated, in whole or in part, by the Corporation within 1 year after the date of such transfer or assignment (except liabilities as an employer under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for benefits accruing during such period), except that in any case in which the Corporation, on or after the date of transfer or assignment as provided by this paragraph, terminates in whole or in part any such plan, the benefits under which are not guaranteed under title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Corporation shall guarantee the payment when due of the accrued pension benefits provided for thereunder at the time of termination. The Corporation shall be entitled to a loan pursuant to section 211(h) of this Act in an amount required for the adequate funding of accrued pension benefits under all plans transferred or assigned to the Corporation in accordance with this paragraph (whether or not terminated by the Corporation). For purposes of such section 211(h) and notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, amounts required for such adequate funding shall be deemed to be expenses of administration of the respective estates of the railroads in reorganization, due and payable as of the date of transfer or assignment of the plans to the Corporation.
^1
So in law.
(B)
The Corporation shall, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, maintain in effect any medical insurance coverage or so much of any life insurance coverage that does not exceed in death benefits an amount equal to twice the employee's annual salary at the time of retirement or $60,000, whichever is lower, which coverage was maintained by a railroad in reorganization in the region immediately prior to April 1, 1976, and which provides insurance benefits to employees who retired, prior to April 1, 1976, from service with such a railroad. With respect to any such employee whose medical or life insurance coverage lapsed after April 1, 1976, due to nonpayment of premiums, the Corporation shall—
(i)
through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, provide medical insurance benefits or life insurance benefits at the same level as were provided by the employer railroad in reorganization and in effect with respect to such employees immediately prior to April 1, 1976, except that the life insurance benefits so provided shall not exceed in death benefits an amount equal to twice the employee's annual salary at the time of retirement or $60,000, whichever is lower; and
(ii)
assume and pay any claim for such employee (or his personal representative) for any such insurance benefits, if—
(I)
such claim arose during the period beginning April 1, 1976, and ending on the date insurance coverage is provided pursuant to clause (i) of this subparagraph;
(II)
such benefits were not paid by an insurer solely because of the lapse of the insurance coverage during such period,
except that such death benefits shall not be paid for any such employee in excess of an amount equal to twice the employee's annual salary at the time of retirement or $60,000, whichever is lower.
The Corporation shall be entitled to a loan pursuant to section 211(h) of this Act in an amount required for the payment of insurance premiums and benefits described in this subparagraph. For purposes of section 211(h)(4)(A)(iii), amounts required for the payment of such premiums and benefits shall be deemed to be valid administrative claims against the respective estates of the railroads in reorganization, due and payable as of April 1, 1976, or, in the case of a railroad in reorganization which is not subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, such amounts shall be deemed to be obligations of such railroad, due and payable as of such date, and shall be reimbursable in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (4) and (5) of such section 211(h). As used in this subparagraph, the term “railroad in reorganization” includes any railroad which is controlled by a railroad in reorganization but is not itself subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, if such railroad conveyed substantially all of its rail properties to the Corporation pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and conducted operations over such rail properties prior to the date of such conveyance.
(c)

Findings and Distribution.—
(1)
After the rail properties have been conveyed to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, profitable railroads operating in the region, States, and responsible persons under subsection (b) of this section, the special court, giving due consideration to the findings contained in the final system plan, shall decide—
(A)
whether the transfers or conveyances—
(i)
of rail properties of each railroad in reorganization, or of each railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization, to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof in exchange for the certificates of value and the other benefits accruing to such railroad as a result of such exchange (taking into consideration compensable unconstitutional erosion, if any, which the special court finds to have occurred in the estate of each such railroad, during the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to such railroad), as provided in the final system plan and this Act, and
(ii)
of rail properties of each railroad in reorganization, or of each railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization, to a profitable railroad operating in the region, State, or responsible person in exchange for compensation and other benefits accruing to such transferor as a result of such exchange (taking into consideration compensable unconstitutional erosion, if any, which the special court finds to have occurred in the estate of each such railroad, during the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to such railroad) in accordance with the final system plan,
are in the public interest and are fair and equitable to the estate of each railroad in reorganization in accordance with the standard of fairness and equity applicable to the approval of a plan of reorganization or a step in such a plan under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205), or fair and equitable to a railroad that is not itself in reorganization but which is leased, operated or controlled by a railroad in reorganziation;
(B)
whether the transfers or conveyances are more fair and equitable than is required as a constitutional minimum; and
(C)
what portion of the proceeds received by a railroad in reorganization from an entity other than the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof for the sale, lease, or transfer of property subject to an agreement under section 213 or section 215(a) (1) or (2) of this Act reflects value attributable to the maintenance or improvement provided pursuant to the agreement.
(2)
If the special court finds that the terms of one or more exchanges for certificates of value and other benefits are not fair and equitable to an estate of a railroad in reorganization, or to a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by a railroad in reorganization (taking into consideration compensable unconstitutional erosion, if any, which the special court finds to have occurred in the estate of each such railroad, during the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to such railroad), which has transferred rail properties pursuant to the final system plan, it may—
(A)
enter a judgment reallocating the certificates of value in a fair and equitable manner if they have not been fairly allocated among the railroads transferring rail properties to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, except that one certificate of value shall be allocated to each such railroad; and
(B)
if the lack of fairness and equity cannot be completely cured by a reallocation of the certificates of value, order the Corporation to provide for the transfer to the railroad of certificates of value issued by the Association as designated in the final system plan in such nature and amounts as would make the exchange or exchanges fair and equitable; and
(C)
enter a judgment against the Corporation if the judgment would not endanger the viability or solvency of the Corporation.
(3)
If the special court finds that the terms of one or more conveyances of rail properties to a profitable railroad operating in the region, State, or responsible person in accordance with the final system plan are not fair and equitable, it shall enter a judgment against such profitable railroad, State, or responsible person. If the special court finds that the terms of one or more conveyances or exchanges for certificates of value or other benefits are fairer and more equitable than is required as a constitutional minimum, then it shall order the return of any excess certificates of value, or compensation to the Corporation or a profitable railroad, State, or responsible person so as not to exceed the constitutional minimum standard of fairness and equity. The special court shall also find the amount of the payments, if any, which each profitable railroad has made on behalf of a transferor railroad in reorganization in accordance with section 211(h) of this Act, for which payment the profitable railroad has not been reimbursed, as provided in section 211(h). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph or of paragraph (4), the special court shall order the return to any such profitable railroad from compensation deposited by such profitable railroad pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, of any such amount so found together with interest at the rate provided in section 211(h). In making any finding under this paragraph, the special court shall take into consideration compensable unconstitutional erosion, if any, which it finds to have occurred in the estate of a railroad in reorganization in the region, or of a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by such a railroad, during the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to such railroad.
(4)
Upon making the findings referred to in this subsection, the special court shall order distribution of the certificates of value, and compensation deposited with it under subsection (a) of this section to the trustee or trustees of each railroad in reorganization in the region and to persons leased, operated, or controlled by such railroads who so transferred or conveyed rail properties who conveyed right, title, and interest in rail properties to the Corporation and the respective profitable railroads, States, and responsible persons under such subsection.
(5)
Whenever the special court, pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title, orders the transfer or conveyance of rail properties—
(A)
designated under section 206(c)(1) (C) or (D) of this Act, to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, the United States shall indemnify the Corporation against any costs or liabilities imposed on the Corporation as the result of any judgment entered against the Corporation, with respect to such properties, under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and
(B)
to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a profitable railroad operating in the region, a State, or any other responsible person (including a governmental entity), the United States shall indemnify such Corporation, railroad, State, or person against any costs or liabilities imposed thereon as the result of any judgment entered against such Corporation, railroad, State, or person under paragraph (3) of this subsection;
plus interest on the amount of such judgment at such rate as is constitutionally required. The United States may, in its discretion, represent the Corporation or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, such profitable railroad, State or responsible person, in any proceedings before the special court that could result in such a judgment against the Corporation under paragraph (2) of this subsection or against the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, such profitable railroad, State or responsible person, under paragraph (3) of this subsection. The Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, any profitable railroad, State, or responsible person, which is represented by the United States of America shall cooperate diligently in whatever manner the United States shall reasonably request of it in connection with such proceedings. Neither the Corporation or its subsidiaries, nor the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, any profitable railroad, State or responsible person, shall be obligated to reimburse the United States for any moneys paid by the United States pursuant to this section.
(6)
Whenever the Corporation exercises an option to acquire, or acquires, interests in rail marine freight floating equipment pursuant to the recommendations of the final system plan, and the Corporation thereafter makes such floating equipment available to a profitable railroad operating in the region, a State, or a responsible person including a government entity)1, the United States shall indemnify—
^1
So in law. An opening parenthesis probably should appear before the phrase “including a government entity”.
(A)
the Corporation against any costs or liabilities imposed on the Corporation as the result of any judgment entered against it, with respect to such equipment, under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and
(B)
such profitable railroad, State, or responsible person against any costs or liabilities imposed thereon as the result of any judgment entered against such profitable railroads, State, or responsible person under paragraph (3) of this subsection,
plus interest on the amount of such judgment at such rate as is constitutionally required.
(d)1

Appeal.—
An order or judgment entered by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or section 306 shall be reviewable in accordance with sections 1291, 1292, and 1294 of title 28, United States Code.
^1
Section 605(d) of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1996 provided that this subsection shall not apply to any final order or judgement entered into by the special court established under section 209(b) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 for which—
(1) a petition for writ of certiorari has been filed before the date on which the special court is abolished [February 16, 1997]; or
(2) the time for filing a petition for writ of certiorari has not expired before that date.
(e)

Transfer and Other Taxes and Recording Fees.—
All transfers or conveyances of rail properties (whether real, personal, or mixed) which are made under this Act (including transfers and conveyances which are made in accordance with a supplemental transaction pursuant to the section 305 of this title or which are made at any time to carry out the purposes of section 601(d) of this Act) shall be exempt from any taxes, imposts, or levies now or hereafter imposed, by the United States or by any State or any political subdivision of a State, on or in connection with such transfers or conveyances or on the recording of deeds, bills of sale, liens, encumbrances, or other instruments evidencing, effectuating, or incident to any such transfers or conveyances, whether imposed on the transferor or on the transferee. Such transferors and transferees shall be entitled to record any such deeds, bills of sale, liens, encumbrances, or other instruments and, consistent with the designations and applicable principles in the final system plan, to record the release or removal of any pre-existing liens or encumbrances of record with respect to properties so transferred or conveyed, upon payment of any appropriate and generally applicable charges to compensate for the cost of service performed.
[45 U.S.C. 743]

termination and continuation of rail services
Sec. 304.
(a)

Discontinuance.—
(1)
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (f) of this section, rail service on rail properties of a railroad in reorganization in the region, or of a person leased, operated, or controlled by such a railroad, which transfers to the Corporation or to profitable railroads operating in the region all or substantially all of its rail properties designated for such conveyance in the final system plan, and rail service on rail properties of a profitable railroad operating in the region which transfers substantially all of its rail properties to the Corporation or to other railroads pursuant to the final system plan, may be discontinued, to the extent such discontinuance is not precluded by the terms of the leases and agreements referred to in section 303(b)(2) of this title, if—
(A)
the final system plan does not designate rail service to be operated over such rail properties;
(B)
not sooner than 30 days following the effective date of the final system plan, the trustee or trustees of the applicable railroad in reorganization or a profitable railroad give notice in writing of intent to discontinue such service on a date certain which is not less than 60 days after the date of such notice or on the date of any conveyance ordered by the special court pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title, whichever is later; and
(C)
the notice required by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is sent by certified mail to the Commission; to the chief executive officer, the transportation agencies, and the government of each political subdivision of each State in which such rail properties are located; and to each shipper who has used such rail service during the previous 12 months.
(2)
(A)
If rail properties are not, in accordance with the designations in the final system plan, required to be operated, as a consequence of a recommended arrangement for joint use or operation of rail properties (under section 206(g) of this Act) or as part of a coordination project (under sections 206 (c) and (g) of this Act), rail service on such properties may be discontinued, subsequent to the date of conveyance of rail properties pursuant to such section 303(b)(1), if the Commission determines that such rail service on such rail properties is not compensatory and if—
(i)
the petitioner and any other railroad involved in such arrangement or coordination project have, prior to filing an application for such discontinuance, entered into a binding agreement (effective on or before the effective date of such discontinuance) to carry out such arrangement or project;
(ii)
such application is filed with the Commission not later than 1 year after the effective date of the final system plan; and
(iii)
such discontinuance is not precluded by the terms of the leases and agreements referred to in such section 303(b)(2).
(B)
For purposes of this paragraph, rail service on rail properties is compensatory if the revenue attributable to such properties from such service equals or exceeds the sum of the avoidable costs of providing such service on such properties plus a reasonable return on the value of such rail properties, as determined in accordance with the standards developed pursuant to section 10362(b)(6) of title 49, United States Code.
(C)
The Commission shall make its final determination, with respect to any discontinuance requested under this paragraph, not later than 120 days after the date of filing of an application therefor. The applicant shall have the burden of proving that the service involved is not compensatory. If the Commission fails to make a final determination within such time, the application shall be deemed to be granted.
(D)
The Commission may issue such rules, regulations, and procedures as it deems necessary for the conduct of its functions under this paragraph.
(b)

Abandonment.—
(1)
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (f) of this section, rail properties over which rail service has been discontinued under subsection (a) of this section may not be abandoned sooner than 120 days after the effective date of the discontinuance. Thereafter, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, such rail properties may be abandoned upon 30 days' notice in writing to any person (including a government entity) required to receive notice under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section.
(2)
In any case in which rail properties proposed to be abandoned under this section are designated by the final system plan as rail properties which are suitable for use for other public purposes (including roads or highways, other forms of mass transportation, conservation, and recreation), such rail properties shall not be sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of during the 240-day period beginning on the date of notice of proposed abandonment under this section unless such rail properties have first been offered, upon reasonable terms, for acquisition for public purposes.
(3)
Rail service may be discontinued, under subsection (a) of this section, and rail properties may be abandoned, under this section, notwithstanding any provision of part A of subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, the constitution or law of any State, or the decision of any court of administrative agency of the United States or of any State.
(c)

Continuation of Rail Services.—
No rail service may be discontinued and no rail properties may be abandoned, pursuant to this section—
(1)
in the case of service and properties referred to in subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section, after 2 years from the effective date of the final system plan or more than 2 years after the date on which the final rail service continuation payment is received, whichever is later; or
(2)
if a financially responsible person (including a government entity) offers—
(A)
to provide a rail service continuation payment which is designed to cover the difference between the revenue attributable to such rail properties and the avoidable costs of providing rail service on such properties, together with a reasonable return on the value of such properties;
(B)
to provide a rail service continuation payment which is payable pursuant to a lease or agreement with a State or with a local or regional transportation authority under which financial support was being provided on January 2, 1974 for the continuation of rail passenger service; or
(C)
to purchase, pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, such rail properties in order to operate rail services thereon.
If a rail service continuation payment is offered, pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection, for both freight and passenger service on the same rail properties, the owner of such properties may not be entitled to more than one payment of a reasonable return on the value of such properties.
(d)

Rail Freight Service.—
(1)
If a rail service continuation payment is offered, pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section, for rail freight service, the person offering such payment shall designate the operator of such service and enter into an operating agreement with such operator. The person offering such payment shall designate as the operator of such service—
(A)
the Corporation, if rail properties of the Corporation connect with the line of railroad involved, unless the Commission determines that such rail service continuation could be performed more efficiently and economically by another railroad;
(B)
any other railroad whose rail properties connect with such line, if the Corporation's rail properties do not so connect or if the Commission makes a determination in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; or
(C)
any responsible person (including a government entity) which is willing to operate rail service over such rail properties.
A designated railroad may refuse to enter into such an operating agreement only if the Commission determines, on petition by any affected party, that the agreement would substantially impair such railroad's ability to serve adequately its own patrons or to meet its outstanding common carrier obligations. The designated operator shall, pursuant to each such operating agreement (i) be obligated to operate rail freight service on such rail properties, and (ii) be entitled to receive, from the person offering such payment, the difference between the revenue attributable to such properties and the avoidable costs of providing service on such rail properties, together with a reasonable management fee, as determined by the Office.
(2)
The trustees of a railroad in reorganization shall permit rail service to be continued on any rail properties with respect to which a rail service continuation payment operating agreement has been entered into under this subsection. Such trustees shall receive a reasonable return on the values of such properties, as determined in accordance with the standards developed pursuant to section 205(d)(6) of this Act.
(3)
If necessary to prevent any disruption or loss of rail service, at any time after the date of conveyance, pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title, the Commission shall take such action as may be appropriate under its existing authority (including the enforcement of common carrier requirements applicable to railroads in reorganization in the region) to ensure compliance with obligations imposed under this subsection. The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, upon petition by the Commission or any interested person (including a government entity), to enforce any order of the Commission issued pursuant to the exercise of its authority under this subsection, or to enjoin any designated entity or the trustees of a railroad in reorganization in the region from refusing to comply with the provisions of this subsection.
(4)
No determination of reasonable payment for the use of rail properties of a railroad in reorganization in the region, and no determination of value of rail properties of such a railroad (including supporting or related documents or reports of any kind) which is made in connection with any lease agreement, contract of sale, or other agreement or understanding which is entered into after the date of enactment of the Rail Transportation Improvement Act—
(A)
pursuant to this section; or
(B)
pursuant to section 402 of this Act or section 17 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (49 U.S.C. 1613),
shall be admitted as evidence, or used for any other purpose, in any civil action, or any other proceeding for damages or compensation, arising under this Act.
(e)

Rail Passenger Service.—
(1)
The Corporation (or a profitable railroad) shall provide rail passenger service for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of conveyance (pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title), with respect to any rail properties over which a railroad in reorganization in the region, or a person leased, operated, or controlled by such a railroad, was providing rail passenger service immediately prior to such date of conveyance. Such service shall be provided on such properties regardless of whether or not such properties are designated in the final system plan as rail properties over which rail service is required to be operated, except with respect to properties over which such service is provided by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
(2)
If a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) was providing financial assistance to support the operation of rail passenger service, pursuant to a lease or agreement which was in effect immediately prior to the date of conveyance (pursuant to such section 303(b)(1)), the Corporation (or a profitable railroad) shall be bound by the service provisions of such lease or agreement for the duration of the 180-day mandatory operation period specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. If a State or such an authority was providing financial assistance for the continuation of rail passenger service on rail properties immediately prior to such date of conveyance, it shall provide the same level of financial assistance during such 180-day mandatory operation period. If no such financial assistance was being provided or if no such lease or agreement was in effect immediately prior to such date of conveyance, with respect to any such rail properties, the Corporation (or a profitable railroad) shall provide the same level of rail passenger service, for the duration of such 180-day mandatory operation period, that was provided prior to such date by the applicable railroad. If—
(A)
such financial assistance is not provided;
(B)
a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) has not, by the end of such 180-day mandatory operation period, offered a rail service continuation payment pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section;
(C)
an applicable rail service continuation payment pursuant to such subsection (c)(2)(A) is not paid when it is due; or
(D)
a payment required under a lease or agreement, pursuant to section 303(b)(2) of this title or subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section, is not paid when it is due,
the Corporation (or, where applicable, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a profitable railroad, or the trustee or trustees of a railroad in reorganization in the region) may (i) discontinue such rail passenger service, and (ii) with respect to rail properties not designated for inclusion in the final system plan, abandon such properties pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(3)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the obligation of the Corporation (or a profitable railroad), or of the trustees of the railroads in reorganization in the region, to provide rail passenger service pursuant to section 303(b)(2) of this title or subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section.
(4)
If a State (or a local or regional transportation authority)—
(A)
offers a rail service continuation payment, pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) of the section1, for the operation of rail passenger service after the 180-day mandatory operation period, and
(B)
provides compensation, pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, for operations conducted during the 180-day mandatory operation period; or
^1
So in law. The phrase “of the section” probably should read “of this section”.
(C)
offers a rail service continuation payment, pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section, for the operation of rail passenger service provided under an agreement or lease pursuant to section 303(b)(2) of this title or subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section where such offer is made for the continuation of the service beyond the period required by such agreement or lease, except that such services shall not be eligible for assistance under section 17(a)(2) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (49 U.S.C. 1613(a)(2)),
the Corporation (or a profitable railroad) shall continue to provide such service after the end of such period, except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
(5)
(A)
The Secretary shall reimburse the Corporation (or a profitable railroad) for any loss which is incurred by it during the 180-day mandatory operation period specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection which is not compensated for by a State (or a local or regional transportation authority). The amount of such reimbursement shall be determined pursuant to section 17(a)(1) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964.
(B)
The Secretary shall reimburse States, local public bodies, and agencies thereof for additional costs incurred by such States, bodies, and agencies for rail service continuation payments for rail passenger service pursuant to section 17(a)(2) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964.
(C)
For purposes of the obligation of the Secretary to reimburse the Corporation (or a profitable railroad) or States, local public bodies, and agencies thereof under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph, the level of rail passenger service shall be determined on the basis of train miles, car miles, or some other appropriate indicia of scheduled train movements. Programs to correct deferred maintenance on rolling stock, right-of-way, and other facilities which are designed to maintain service, meet on-time performance, and maintain a reasonable degree of passenger comfort (and costs incurred incident thereto) shall be included within the meaning of the term “loss” as used in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and within the meaning of the term “additional costs” as used in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph and section 17(A)(2) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (49 U.S.C. 1613(a)(2)).
(D)
If a dispute arises with respect to the application of any such regulations, the parties to such dispute may submit such dispute to arbitration by a third party. If the parties are unable to agree upon the selection of an arbitrator, the Chairman of the Commission shall serve in that capacity (except as to matters required to be decided by the Commission, pursuant to section 402(a) of the Rail Passenger Service Act (45 U.S.C. 562(a))).
(6)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Corporation is not obligated to provide rail passenger service on rail properties if a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) contracts for such service to be provided on such properties by an operator other than the Corporation, except that the Corporation shall, where appropriate, provide such operator with access to such properties for such purpose.
(7)
(A)
If a State (or a local or regional transportation authority) in the region offers to provide payment for the provision of additional rail passenger service, the Corporation shall undertake to provide such service pursuant to this subsection (including the discontinuance provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection). An offer to provide payment for the provision of additional rail passenger service shall be made in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section, and shall be designed to avoid any additional costs to the Corporation arising from the construction or modification of capital facilities or from any additional operating delays or costs arising from the absence of such construction or modification. The State (or local or regional transportation authority) shall demonstrate that it has acquired, leased, or otherwise obtained access to all rail properties, other than those designated for conveyance to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation pursuant to sections 206(c)(1)(C) and 206(c)(1)(D) of this Act and to the Corporation pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title, necessary to provide the additional rail passenger service and that it has completed, or will complete prior to the inception of the additional rail service, all capital improvements necessary to avoid significant costs which cannot be avoided by improved scheduling or other means on other existing rail services (including rail freight service) and to assure that the additional service will not detract from the level and quality of existing rail passenger and freight service.
(B)
As used in this paragraph, the term “additional rail passenger service” means rail passenger service (other than rail passenger service provided pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (4) of this subsection), including extended or expanded service and modified routings, which is to be provided over rail properties conveyed to the Corporation pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title, or over (i) rail properties contiguous thereto conveyed to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation pursuant to this Act, or (ii) any other rail properties contiguous thereto to which a State (or local or regional transportation authority) has obtained access.
(C)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, the Corporation shall not be required to operate additional rail passenger service over rail properties leased or acquired from or owned or leased by a profitable railroad in the region.
(8)
The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Association, conduct a study to determine the best means of compensating the Corporation for liabilities which it may incur for damages to persons or property, resulting from the operation of rail passenger service required to be operated pursuant to this subsection or section 303(b)(2) of this title, which are not underwritten by private insurance carriers or are not indemnified by a State (or local or regional transportation authority). Such study shall identify the nature of the risks to the Corporation, the probable degree of uninsurability of such risks, and the desirability and feasibility of various indemnification programs, including subsidy offers made pursuant to this section, self-insurance through a passenger tax or other mechanism, or government indemnification for such liabilities. Within one year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall prepare a report with appropriate recommendations and shall submit such report to the Congress. Such report shall specify the most appropriate means of indemnifying the Corporation for such liabilities in a manner which shall prevent the cross-subsidization of passenger services with revenues from freight services operated by the Corporation.
(f)

Purchase.—
If an offer to purchase is made under subsection (c)(2)(C) of this section, such offer shall be accompanied by an offer of a rail service continuation payment. Such payment shall continue until the purchase transaction is completed, unless a railroad assumes operations over such rail properties of its own account pursuant to an order or authorization of the Commission. Whenever a railroad in reorganization in the region or a profitable railroad gives notice of intent to discontinue service pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, such railroad shall, upon the request of anyone apparently qualified to make an offer to purchase or to provide a rail service continuation payment, promptly make available its most recent reports on the physical condition of such property, together with such traffic and revenue data as would be required under subpart B of part 1121 of chapter X of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and such other data as are necessary to ascertain the avoidable costs of providing service over such rail properties.
(g)

Abandonment by Corporation.—
After the rail system to be operated by the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof under the final system plan has been in operation for 2 years, the Commission may authorize the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof to abandon any rail properties as to which it determines that rail service over such properties is not required by the public convenience and necessity, if the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof can demonstrate that no State (or local or regional transportation authority), is willing to offer a rail service continuation payment pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The Commission may, at any time after the effective date of the final system plan, authorize additional rail service in the region or authorize the abandonment of rail properties which are not being operated by the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or by any other person. Determinations by the Commission under this subsection shall be made pursuant to applicable provisions of part A of subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code.
(h)

Interim Abandonment.—
After the date of enactment of this section and prior to the date of conveyance (pursuant to section 303(b)(1) of this title), no railroad in reorganization in the region may discontinue service or abandon any line of railroad other than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, unless (1) it is authorized to do so by the Association, and (2) no affected State (or local or regional transportation authority) reasonably opposes such action, notwithstanding any provision of any other Federal law, the constitution or law of any State, or the decision or order of, or the pendency of any proceeding before any Federal or State court, agency, or authority.
(i)

Disposition of Designated Rail Properties.—
No railroad in reorganization in the region and no person leased, operated or controlled by such a railroad shall sell, transfer, encumber, or otherwise dispose of rail property, or any right or interest therein, designated for transfer to the Corporation or conveyance to a profitable railroad in the final system plan, except pursuant to section 303(b) of this title. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any such sale, transfer, encumbrance, or other disposition—
(1)
as to which the Association generally or specifically consents in writing;
(2)
which, prior to enactment of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, had been specifically approved by a United States district court having jurisdiction over the reorganization of a railroad in reorganization under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205); or
(3)
following certification to the special court, pursuant to section 209(c) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, of any such rail properties not previously so certified.
[45 U.S.C. 744]

continuing reorganization; supplemental transactions
Sec. 305.
(a)

Proposals.—
If the Secretary or the Association determines that, as part of continuing reorganization, further restructuring of rail properties in the region through transactions supplemental to the final system plan would promote the establishment and retention of a financially self-sustaining rail system in the region adequate to meet the needs of the region, the Secretary or the Association, as the case may be, may develop proposals for such supplemental transactions as are necessary or appropriate to implement the needed restructuring. Transfers of rail properties included in proposals developed by the Association shall be limited to (1) rail properties which would have qualified for designation under section 206(c)(1)(A) of this Act but which were not transferred or conveyed under the final system plan, and which the Association finds to be essential to the efficient operations of the Corporation, and (2) transfers, consistent with the final system plan, of rail properties from the Corporation to a subsidiary thereof. Each proposal (other than a proposal developed by the Association) shall be submitted in writing to the Association and shall state and describe any transactions proposed, the rail properties involved, the parties to such transactions, the financial and other terms of such transactions, the purposes of the Act or the goals of the final system plan intended to be effectuated by such transactions, and such other information incidental thereto as the Association may prescribe. Within 10 days after receipt of a proposal developed by the Secretary, and upon the development of a proposal developed by the Association, the Association shall publish a summary of such proposal in the Federal Register, and shall afford interested persons (including the Corporation when property is to be transferred to or from the Corporation) an opportunity to comment thereon.
(b)

Evaluation by Association.—
The Association shall analyze each proposal containing one or more supplemental transactions, taking into account the comments of interested persons and statements and exhibits submitted at any public hearings which may have been held. The Association shall, within 120 days after the publication of a summary thereof under subsection (a) of this section, publish in the Federal Register a report evaluating such proposal. Such evaluation shall state whether the supplemental transactions contained in such proposal, considered in their entirety, are (1) in the public interest and consistent with the purpose1 of this Act and the goals of the final system plan, and (2) fair and equitable. If the Corporation opposes, or seeks modification of, any such proposed transfer, its written comments shall be given due consideration by the Association and shall be published as part of the evaluation. Within 30 days after the Association publishes its report, each proposed transferor or transferee shall notify the Association in writing as to whether any proposed supplemental transaction requiring the transfer of any property from or to such transferor or transferee is acceptable to such proposed transferor or transferee. If any such proposed transferor (other than the Corporation) or transferee fails to notify the Association that any proposed supplement2 transaction requiring the transfer of any property from such transferor or to such transferee is acceptable to it, no further administrative or judicial proceedings shall be conducted with respect to such proposed supplemental transaction.
^1
So in law. Probably should read “purposes”.
^2
So in law. Probably should read “supplemental”.
(c)

Review by the Commission.—
Within 90 days after the publication in the Federal Register of each report referred to in subsection (b) of this section, the Commission shall determine whether the supplemental transactions referred to in the report, considered in their entirety, would be in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan. In making such determination, the Commission shall give due consideration to the views received by it, within 30 days after the publication of the applicable report, from the Corporation and the Secretary. The Commission may condition its approval of such supplemental transactions on such reasonable terms and conditions as it may deem necessary in the public interest. The approval by the Commission of such supplemental transactions shall not be a prerequisite to the consummation of such transactions, but any determination of the Commission modifying, approving, or disapproving any proposed supplemental transactions shall be given due weight and consideration by the special court in the proceedings prescribed in subsection (d) of this section. If the Commission fails to act within the time period provided in this subsection, the supplemental transactions involved shall be deemed to have been approved by the Commission. The Commission may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary for the administration of this section.
(d)

Special Court Proceedings.—
(1)
If the Association has made the determination pursuant to subsection (b) of this section that a proposal for supplemental transactions is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan, and is fair and equitable, the Association shall, within 40 days after the date of the Commission's determination under subsection (c) of this section, or after the expiration of the 90-day period referred to in such subsection (c), whichever is applicable, petition the special court for an order of such court finding that such proposal for supplemental transactions is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan, and is fair and equitable, and directing the Corporation to carry out the supplemental transactions specified in such proposal. If the Association has determined, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section that a proposal made by the Secretary is not in the public interest or is not consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan or is not fair and equitable, the Secretary may, if he determines that such proposal is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan and is fair and equitable, petition the special court for an order of such court finding that such proposal for supplemental transactions is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan and is fair and equitable, and directing the Corporation to carry out any supplemental transactions specified in such proposal. Such a petition shall be submitted to the special court within 90 days after the date of the Commission's determination under such subsection (c), or after the expiration of the 90-day period referred to in such section (c)1, whichever is applicable.
^1
So in law. Probably should read “subsection (c)”.
(2)
After the filing of a petition under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the special court shall decide, after a hearing, whether the proposed supplemental transactions contained in such petition, considered in their entirety, are in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan and are fair and equitable. If the special court determines that such proposed supplemental transactions, considered in their entirety, are in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan and are fair and equitable, it shall, upon making such determination, issue such orders as may be necessary to direct the Corporation to consummate the transactions. If the special court determines that such proposed supplemental transactions, considered in their entirety, are not in the public interest or not consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan, or are not fair and equitable, it shall file an opinion stating its conclusion and the reasons therefor. In such event the Association (in the case of a proposal developed by the Association) or the Secretary (in the case of a proposal developed by the Secretary) may, within 120 days after the filing of such opinion, certify to the special court that the terms and conditions of the proposal have been modified consistent with the opinion of the court and are acceptable to each proposed transferor (other than the Corporation) or transferee, and may petition the special court for reconsideration of the proposal as so modified. After the filing of such petition, the special court shall decide, after a hearing, whether the proposal as modified by the certification is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals of the final system plan and is fair and equitable, and shall enter such further orders as are consistent with its determination.
(3)
The Corporation is authorized to petition the special court and to be represented regarding any proposed supplemental transaction, contained in a proposal developed by either the Association or the Secretary, which involves the properties of the Corporation.
(4)
In proceedings under this subsection, the special court is authorized to exercise the powers of a reorganization court1.
^1
Section 605(c)(2) of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1996 (P.L. 104–317; 110 Stat. 3859) amended this paragraph by striking “a judge of the United States district court with respect to such proceedings and such powers shall include those of”. The word “the” probably should have been “a”. The amendment was executed to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
(5)
Any evaluation by the Association, the Secretary, or the Commission shall not be reviewable in any court except the special court in accordance with the provisions of this section. The supplemental transactions shall not be restrained or enjoined by any court nor shall they be otherwise reviewable by any court other than by the special court to the extent provided in this section.
(6)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no findings, determinations, or proceedings shall be required with respect to any proposal for supplemental transactions other than as expressly set forth in this section.
(7)
A final order or judgment of the special court entering or denying an order pursuant to this subsection shall be reviewable in the same manner as provided in section 209(e)(3) of this Act.
(e)

Definition.—
As used in this section, the term “fair and equitable” means fair and equitable, in accordance with the standards applicable to the approval of a plan of reorganization (or a step in such plan) under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205) to—
(1)
the estates of railroads in reorganization in the region and persons leased, operated, or controlled by such railroads who have conveyed rail properties, under section 303(b)(1) of this title, in exchange for securities of the Corporation, the Association, or profitable railroads and other benefits provided as a consequence of this Act and to any subsequent holders of such securities at the time of the supplemental transaction involved; and
(2)
the holders of other securities of the Corporation.
Whenever any property or securities of the Corporation are required to be valued in order to determine whether the terms of a supplemental transaction are fair and equitable, the special court shall give proper recognition to the contributions to the Corporation by all classes of security holders, except that such court shall not assign to the series B preferred stock or the common stock of the Corporation any values added to those securities, by reason of investment by the Association in debentures and series A preferred stock of the Corporation, in excess of any value required by constitutional principles applicable to a reorganization process.
(f)

Expedited Proposals.—
(1)
Within 240 days after the effective date of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, the Secretary, after providing an opportunity for comments from interested parties, shall determine whether to initiate a proposal for a supplemental transaction under this section for the transfer of all rail properties of the Corporation in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island to another railroad in the region. If the Secretary determines that—
(A)
the proposed transferee railroad is financially and operationally capable of assuming the freight operations and freight service obligations of the Corporation on a financially self-sustaining basis;
(B)
the proposed transfer would promote the establishment and retention of a financially self-sustaining rail system in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island adequate to meet the needs of such States; and
(C)
the proposed transfer is consistent with the goals set forth in section 206(a)(8) of this Act,
the Secretary shall develop such a proposal and may, after providing the Association, the Commission, and the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island an opportunity to review and comment on such proposal, petition the special court for an order to carry out such proposal.
(2)
(A)
Within 10 days after the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, the Secretary shall initiate discussions and negotiations for the transfer of some or all of the Corporation's rail properties and freight service obligations in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island to one or more parties under a plan which provides for continued rail freight service on all lines operated by the Corporation on the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 for at least four years.
(B)
Within 120 days after the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, the Secretary shall petition the special court for an order to transfer all of the Corporation's rail properties and freight service obligations in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island to one or more railroads in the Region—
(i)
which have under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph completed negotiations and submitted to the Secretary a proposal to assume all of the freight operations and freight service obligations of the Corporation in such States on a financially self-sustaining basis for a period of at least four years; or
(ii)
which have developed a proposal to assume all of the freight operations and freight service obligations of the Corporation in such States under an agreement by and between the Corporation and such railroad or railroads; or
(iii)
which have, prior to May 1, 1981, submitted a proposal to the Secretary for such a transfer.
For the purpose of this section, an order to transfer may include the Corporation if the Corporation agrees to maintain service over lines retained by the Corporation for four years.
(C)
To permit efficient and effective rail operations consistent with the public interest, as a part of any transfer under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, the Secretary shall promote the transfer of additional non-mainline Corporation properties in adjoining States that connect with properties that are the subject of such transfer.
(D)
The special court shall determine a fair and equitable price for the rail properties to be transferred under this subsection, and shall, unless the parties otherwise agree, establish divisions of joint rates for through routes over such properties which are fair and equitable to the parties. The special court shall establish a method to ensure that such divisions are promptly paid.
(E)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement in effect on May 1, 1981, the special court shall require that the railroad or railroads to which properties are to be transferred under this subsection assume all charges payable to the Corporation by Amtrak for the carriage of property by rail over those portions of the Northeast Corridor in Connecticut and Rhode Island. If the Corporation operates any rail freight service over those portions of the Northeast Corridor in Connecticut and Rhode Island after the date of such transfer, the Corporation shall pay Amtrak any compensation that may be separately agreed upon by the Corporation and Amtrak, and the railroad or railroads to which properties are transferred under this subsection shall not be obligated to pay any compensation owed by the Corporation to Amtrak for such post-transfer operations by the Corporation.
(3)
If the special court determines that a proposal developed under this subsection is fair and equitable, meets the requirements of this subsection, and is in the public interest, it shall issue such orders as may be necessary to carry out such proposal. The provisions of paragraphs (2)–(6) of subsection (d) of this section shall apply to the determination of the special court under this subsection, except that the standards for such determination shall be those set forth in this paragraph.
(4)
(A)
Any employee who was protected by the compensatory provisions of title V of this Act immediately prior to the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, and who is deprived of employment as a result of the transfer of rail properties under this subsection shall be eligible for benefits under section 701 of this Act.
(B)
As used in this paragraph, “employee deprived of employment” means any employee who is unable to secure employment through the normal exercise of seniority rights, but does not include any employee who refuses an offer of employment with a railroad acquiring properties under this subsection.
(g)
(1)
Within 20 days after the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, the Secretary shall initiate discussions and negotiations for the expedited transfer of all properties and freight service obligations of the Corporation with respect to the following lines: Canaan, Connecticut, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts; North Adams Junction, Massachusetts, to North Adams, Massachusetts; Hazardville, Connecticut, to Springfield, Massachusetts; Westfield, Massachusetts, to Easthampton, Massachusetts; Westfield, Massachusetts, to Holyoke, Massachusetts.
(2)
Within 120 days after the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, the Secretary shall transfer, provided a qualified purchaser offers to purchase, the Corporation's properties and freight service obligations described in paragraph (1) of this subsection to another railroad or railroads in the Region which are determined by the Secretary to be qualified. A qualified purchaser is defined as a railroad financially self-sustaining which guarantees continuous service for at least four years.
(3)
The Secretary shall determine a fair and equitable price for the rail properties to be transferred under this subsection, and shall, unless the parties otherwise agree, establish divisions of joint rates for through routes over such properties which are fair and equitable to the parties.
(4)
The Secretary shall determine fair and equitable terms for the provision of such trackage rights, on segments of the Corporation's lines not to exceed 5 miles per line transferred, to acquiring carriers as may be necessary to operate such transferred lines in an efficient manner.
[45 U.S.C. 745]

certificates of value
Sec. 306.
(a)

General.—
On the date when the Corporation is required to deposit securities with the special court pursuant to section 303(a)(1) of this title, the Association shall deposit with the special court the certificates of value of the Association required by this section. The Secretary shall guarantee the payment of all certificates of value delivered in accordance with this title. All guarantees entered by the Secretary under this section shall constitute general obligations of the United States of America for the payment or redemption of which its full faith and credit are pledged. Such guarantees shall be valid and incontestable except as to mutual mistake of fact or as to fraud or material misrepresentation by the holder of such certificates or the transferor of rail properties to which certificates of value of any series so guaranteed are issued.
(b)

Number and Distribution.—
A separate series of certificates of value shall be issued to each railroad in reorganization in the region and each person leased, operated, or controlled by such a railroad that transfers rail properties to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof. The number of certificates of value of each series to be deposited pursuant to subsection (a) shall be equal to the number of shares of series B preferred stock of the Corporation which are required to be deposited by the Corporation with the special court, pursuant to section 303(a)(1) of this title in exchange for the rail properties transferred to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof by such transferor. Certificates of value of the appropriate series shall be distributed by the special court, pursuant to section 303(c)(4) of this title, at the same time to the same transferors, and in the same numbers of units as shares of such series B preferred stock are distributed to such transferor.
(c)

Redemption.—
(1)
Certificates of value, of any series, shall be redeemed by the Association on December 31, 1987, or on such earlier date as the Board of Directors of the Association and the Finance Committee jointly may determine and specify.
(2)
Each certificate of value of each series shall be redeemable for an amount, payable in cash, equal to its base value on the redemption date, minus—
(A)
the sum of the fair market value of the series B preferred stock applicable to such certificate, the fair market value of the common stock applicable to such certificate, and all cash dividends theretofore paid on any such series B preferred stock and on any such common stock; and
(B)
any sums paid to a transferor of rail properties to whom such series of certificates of value was issued resulting from sales or leases by the Corporation of properties transferred to it by such transferor divided by the number of certificates of value distributed to such transferor.
(3)
The number of shares of series B preferred stock and common stock applicable to each certificate of value of any series, pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall be—
(A)
one share of series B preferred stock (adjusted to reflect any stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar transactions affecting the number of shares of outstanding series B preferred stock following the date of distribution pursuant to section 303(c)(4) of this title); and
(B)
the number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the total number of shares of common stock distributed pursuant to section 303(c)(4) of this Act to the transferor receiving such series of certificates of value (adjusted to reflect any stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, or similar transactions affecting the number of shares of outstanding common stock following the date of distribution pursuant to section 303(c)(4) of this title) by the total number of certificates of value in the series so distributed to such transferor.
(4)
The base value of each certificate of value of any series shall be the value obtained by (A) taking the net liquidation value, as determined by the special court, to which the transferor to whom such series of certificates of value is issued is entitled by virtue of transfers of rail properties, under section 303(b)(1) of this title to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof; (B) subtracting the value of other benefits provided under this Act, as determined by the special court; (C) adding such amount, if any, as the special court may determine shall be required after taking into consideration compensable unconstitutional erosion, if any, in the estate of a railroad in reorganization, of a railroad leased, operated, or controlled by such a railroad, which the special court finds to have occurred during any bankruptcy proceeding with respect to such railroad; (D) adding interest from the transfer date to the redemption date to be compounded annually at a rate of 8 percent per annum; and (E) dividing the resulting value by the number of certificates of value of such series distributed to such transferor. In determining such base value, the special court shall give due weight and consideration to the finding of the Association as to the net liquidation value to which each transferor is entitled by virtue of conveyances of rail properties under sectio 303(b)(1) of this title. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “rail properties” includes all rights with respect to employee benefit plans transferred and assigned to the Corporation pursuant to section 303(b)(6) of this title. Net liquidation value with respect to such rights shall be determined after taking into account all obligations finally transferred or assigned to the Corporation pursuant to such section.
(5)
The fair market value of series B preferred stock and of common stock of the Corporation shall be determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Association, on the basis of the average price of each such security in the primary established market in which such securities are traded over a period of 120 consecutive trading days ending not less than 20 nor more than 40 trading days preceding the redemption date, or, in the case of a security for which there is not an established trading market, on the basis of the fair market value thereof as determined by the majority vote of three experts in the valuation of securities, one to be selected by the Association, one to be selected by the directors of the Corporation elected by the holders of the security to be valued, and one to be selected by the two first selected.
(d)

Authorization for Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to discharge the obligations of the United States arising under this section.
[45 U.S.C. 746]

protection of federal funds
Sec. 307.
(a)

Audit.—
(1)
The Comptroller General of the United States is authorized to audit the programs, activities, and financial operations of the Corporation for any period during which (A) Federal funds provided pursuant to this Act are being used to finance any portion of its operations, or (B) Federal funds have been invested therein pursuant to this Act. Any such audit may be conducted under such rules and regulations as the Comptroller General may prescribe. The Comptroller General shall report to the Congress at such times and to such extent as he considers necessary to keep the Congress informed on the security of such Federal funds and guarantees and, to the extent appropriate, make recommendations for achieving greater economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in such programs, activities, and operations.
(2)
For the purpose of any audit conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Comptroller General, or a designated representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and the right to examine all books, accounts, records, reports, files, and other papers, items, or property belonging to or in use by the Corporation.
(b)

Report.—
The Association shall prepare and submit an annual report to Congress on the performance of the Corporation in order to keep the Congress informed as to matters which may affect the quality of rail services in the region and which may affect the security of Federal funds referred to in subsection (a) of this section. Each such report shall be submitted within 150 days after the end of the fiscal year of the Corporation. Each such report shall include an evalution of—
(1)
the degree to which the goals of section 206(a) of this Act are being met;
(2)
the amounts and causes of deviations, if any, from the financial projections of the final system plan;
(3)
the amount of Federal funds made available to the Corporation and a clear description of the uses of such funds;
(4)
the projected financial needs of the Corporation;
(5)
the projected sources from which such financial needs are likely to be met; and
(6)
the ability of the Corporation to become financially self-sustaining without requiring Federal funds in excess of those authorized by section 216(f) of this Act.
(c)

Monitoring of the Corporation.—
(1)
The Association shall also report to the Congress, in accordance with this subsection, on the policies of the Corporation and the results of such policies with respect to operations, cost containment, and marketing.
(2)
Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Association shall (A) subdivide each such policy area into constituent parts or groups of parts which are specific and significant, (B) identify the most appropriate indicia to reflect accurately such parts or groups of parts, and (C)(i) determine any and all deficiencies in data used to compute the values of such indicia including consistency and clarity of definitions, timeliness of data entry, editing and validation of input data, and processing, and (ii) outline the efforts of the Association and Corporation to correct the deficiencies and the results of such efforts. On or before the end of such 90-day period, the Association shall submit to the Congress such methodological information and additional information which the Association deems necessary or appropriate to further the purpose of this title.
(3)
Using such indicia, the Association shall report on (A) the relationship of each constituent part or groups of parts to the Corporation's revenue and capital and operating expenses, (B) the extent to which such parts or group of parts contributes to profits or losses, (C) the efforts of management to contain or reduce the contribution of such part or group of parts to losses, (D) the results of such efforts, and (E) such other information as the Association deems necessary or appropriate.
(4)
The Association shall (A) transmit to the Congress the first such monitoring report pursuant to paragraph (3) at the end of the first calendar quarter which begins after the end of the 90-day period for preparation and submission of the methodological information pursuant to paragraph (2), (B) report such monitoring information to the Congress at the end of the first quarter of each calendar year thereafter, (C) update methodological and monitoring information periodically as the Association deems necessary or appropriate, but in no case less frequently than once a year, and (D) where the results of such updating are statistically significant or relevant to Congressional policymaking, report them and the reasons for their significance at the end of the calendar quarter in which the updating occurred.
[45 U.S.C. 747]

abandonments
Sec. 308.
(a)

General.—
The Corporation may, in accordance with this section, file with the Commission an application for a certificate of abandonment for any line which is part of the system of the Corporation. Any such application shall be governed by this section and shall not, except as specifically provided in this section, be subject to the provisions of chapter 109 of title 49, United States Code.
(b)

Applications for Abandonment.—
Any application for abandonment that is filed by the Corporation under this section before December 1, 1981, shall be granted by the Commission within 90 days after the date such application is filed unless, within such 90-day period, an offer of financial assistance is made in accordance with subsection (d) of this section with respect to the line to be abandoned.
(c)

Notice of Insufficient Revenues.—
(1)
The Corporation may, prior to November 1, 1985, file with the Commission a notice of insufficient revenues for any line which is part of the system of the Corporation.
(2)
At any time after the 90-day period beginning with the filing of a notice of insufficient revenues for a line, the Corporation may file an application for abandonment for such line. An application for abandonment that is filed by the Corporation under this subsection for a line for which a notice of insufficient revenues was filed under paragraph (1) shall be granted by the Commission within 90 days after the date such application is filed unless, within such 90-day period, an offer of financial assistance is made in accordance with subsection (d) of this section with respect to such line.
(d)

Offers of Financial Assistance.—
(1)
The provisions of section 10904 of title 49, United States Code (including the timing requirements of subsection (d) thereof), shall apply to any offer of financial assistance under subsection (b) or (c) of this section.
(2)
The Corporation shall provide any person that intends to make an offer of financial assistance under subsection (b) or (c) of this section with such information as the Commission may require.
(e)

Liquidation.—
(1)
If any application for abandonment is granted under subsection (b) of this section, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable, appraise the net liquidation value of the line to be abandoned, and shall publish notice of such appraisal in the Federal Register.
(2)
Appraisals made under paragraph (1) shall not be appealable.
(3)
(A)
If, within 120 days after the date on which an appraisal is published in the Federal Register under paragraph (1) , the Corporation receives a bona fide offer for the sale, for 75 percent of the amount at which the liquidation value of such line was appraised by the Commission, of the line to be abandoned, the Corporation shall sell such line and the Commission shall, unless the parties otherwise agree, establish an equitable division of joint rates for through routes over such lines.
(B)
If the Corporation receives no bona fide offer under subparagraph (A), within such 120-day period, the Corporation may abandon or dispose of the line as it chooses, except that the Corporation may not dismantle bridges, or other structures (not including rail, signals, and other rail facilities) for 120 days thereafter. The Secretary may require that bridges or other structures (not including rail, signals, and other rail facilities), not be dismantled for an additional 8 months if he assumes all liability of any sort related to such property.
(4)
If the purchaser under paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection of any line of the Corporation abandons such line within five years after such purchase, the proceeds of any track liquidations shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury of the United States.
(f)

Employee Protection.—
The provisions of section 10903(b)(3)1 of title 49, United States Code, shall not apply to any abandonment granted under this section. Any employee who was protected by the compensatory provisions of title V of this Act immediately prior to the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, who is deprived of employment by such an abandonment shall be eligible for employee protection under section 701 of this Act.
^1
Section 10903(b) of title 49, United States Code, does not have a paragraph (3). Probably should refer to section 10903(b)(2).
[45 U.S.C. 748]

TITLE IV—

TRANSFER OF FREIGHT SERVICE
[Repealed by P.L. 99–509, section 4033(a)(1)]

TITLE V—

EMPLOYEE PROTECTION
[Repealed by P.L. 97–1981, P.L. 97–35, Section 1144(a)(1), 95 Stat. 669]
TITLE VI—

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

relationship to other laws
Sec. 601.
(a)

Antitrust.—
(1)
Except as specifically provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, no provision of this Act shall be deemed to convey to any railroad or employee or director thereof any immunity from civil or criminal liability, or to create defenses to actions, under the antitrust laws.
(2)
The antitrust laws are inapplicable with respect to any action taken to formulate or implement the final system plan where such action was in compliance with the requirements of such plan and with respect to any action taken to formulate or implement any supplemental transaction.
(3)
As used in this subsection, “antitrust laws” includes the Act of July 2, 1890 (ch. 647, 26 Stat. 209), as amended; the Act of October 15, 1914 (ch. 323, 38 Stat. 730), as amended; the Federal Trade Commission Act (38 Stat. 717), as amended; sections 73 and 74 of the Act of August 27, 1894 (28 Stat. 570), as amended; the Act of June 19, 1936 (ch. 592, 49 Stat. 1526), as amended; and the antitrust laws of any State or subdivision thereof.
(b)

Commerce, Securities, and Bankruptcy.—
(1)
The provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) and the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205 et seq.) are inapplicable (A) to actions taken under this Act to formulate and implement the final system plan which such action was in compliance with the requirements of such plan, and (B) to actions taken under this Act to formulate or implement any supplemental transaction.
(2)
All securities of the Corporation which are issued to the Association as the initial holder, or which are issued in connection with the transfer to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof of rail properties under this Act, shall be deemed for all purposes to have been issued subject to and authorized pursuant to section 20a of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 20a).
(3)
The provisions of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77e), shall not apply to transactions involving the issuance of any security of the Corporation to the Association, transactions involving the issuance of any security of the Corporation that is deposited with the special court pursuant to section 303(a) of this Act, or transactions involving the issuance or distribution of any security of the Corporation, where the terms and conditions of such issuance or distribution are approved by the special court pursuant to section 303(c) of this Act.
(4)
The powers and duties of the Commission under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. 205), with respect to a railroad in reorganization in the region which conveys all or substantially all of its designated rail properties to the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof, or to profitable railroads in the region, pursuant to the final system plan, and the requirement that plans of reorganization be filed with the Commission, shall cease upon the date of such conveyance. The powers and duties of the Commission under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act shall also so terminate, as of the date of enactment of this paragraph, with respect to any railroad reorganization under such section 77 but not subject to this Act which (1) does not operate any line of railroad, and (2) has transferred all or substantially all of its rail properties to a railroad in reorganization in the region which was subject to this Act prior to the date of enactment of this paragraph. Thereafter, such powers and duties of the Commission shall be vested in the district court of the United States which has jurisdiction of the estate of any such railroad in reorganization at the time of such conveyance. Such court shall proceed to reorganize or liquidate such railroad in reorganization pursuant to such section 77 on such terms as the court deems just and reasonable, or pursuant to any other provisions of the Bankruptcy Act, if the court finds that such action would be in the best interests of such estate. This paragraph does not affect any obligation of any carrier by railroad subject to regulation under the Interstate Commerce Act. The powers and duties of the Commission under section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act shall continue in effect only to the extent that the railroad in reorganization continues to operate any line of railroad.
(c)

Environment.—
The provisions of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall not apply with respect to any action taken under authority of this Act before, and including, the conveyance of rail properties ordered by the special court under section 303(b)(1) of this Act, and shall not apply thereafter to any action taken in compliance with the requirements of the final system plan.
(d)

Northeast Corridor.—
(1)
Rail properties designated in accordance with section 206(c)(1)(C) of this Act shall be purchased or leased by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. The Corporation shall negotiate an appropriate sale or lease agreement with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for the properties designated for transfer pursuant to section 206(c)(1)(C) of this Act (45 U.S.C. 716(c)(1)(C)), which shall take effect on the date of conveyance of such properties to the Corporation.
(2)
Properties acquired by purchase, lease, or otherwise pursuant to this subsection shall be improved in order to meet the goal set forth in section 206(a)(3) of this Act, relating to improved high-speed passenger service, by the earliest practicable date after the date of enactment of this Act.
(3)
The Secretary shall begin the necessary engineering studies and improvements upon enactment.
(4)
The final system plan shall provide for any necessary coordination with freight or commuter services of uses of the facilities designated in section 206(c)(1)(C) of this Act. Such coordination may be effectuated through a single operating entity, designated in the final system plan, or as mutually agreed upon by the interested parties.
(5)
Construction or improvements made pursuant to this subsection may be made in consultation with the Corps of Engineers.
(e)

Emergency Service.—
[Subsection (e) amended section 1(16) of the Interstate Commerce Act, relating to directed service, now repealed.]
[45 U.S.C. 791]

separability
Sec. 604.
If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
[45 U.S.C. 701 note]

tax payments to states
Sec. 605.
(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no railroad in reorganization shall withhold from any State, or any political subdivision thereof, the payment of the portion of any tax owned by such railroad to such State or subdivision, which portion has been collected by such railroad from any tenant thereof.
(b)
Any railroad which violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section by withholding any portion of a tax referred to in such subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000 for each such violation.
[45 U.S.C. 794]
TITLE VII—

PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES
[P.L. 99–509, §4024(c) provided that section 701 of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 is repealed effective on the sale date (April 2, 1987).]

termination allowance
Sec. 702.
(a)

General.—
The Corporation may terminate the employment of certain employees, in accordance with this section, upon the payment of an allowance of $350 for each month of active service with the Corporation or with a railroad in reorganization, but in no event may any such termination allowance exceed $25,000.
(b)

Employment Needs.—
Within 90 days after the effective date of this title, the Corporation shall determine, for each location, the number of employees that the Corporation intends to separate under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)

Notification and Separation Procedure.—
(1)
Within 90 days after the effective date of this title, the Corporation shall notify its employees of their rights and responsibilities under this section.
(2)
Within 90 days after the effective date of this title, the Corporation shall notify each train and engine service employee eligible to be separated under paragraph (3) that such employee may be entitled to receive a separation payment under this section if such employee files a written request to be separated. Such notice may be revised from time to time.
(3)
If the number of employees who request to be separated pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection is greater, in engine service at any location, than the number of excess firemen at the location, and in train service at the location than the number of excess second and third brakemen, as determined by the Corporation, the Corporation shall separate the employees described in paragraph (2) of this subsection in order of seniority beginning with the most senior employee, until the excess firemen and second and third brakemen positions at that location, as determined by the Corporation, have been eliminated.
(d)

Designated Separations.—
If the number of employees who are separated pursuant to subsection (c)(3) is less at any location than the number of excess firemen in freight and commuter service and second and third brakemen in freight service at such location, as determined by the Corporation, the Corporation may, after 210 days after the effective date of this title, designate for separation employees in engine service or train service respectively in inverse order of seniority, beginning with the most junior employee in active service at such location until the excess firemen in freight and commuter service and second and third brakemen in freight service, at that location have been eliminated. An employee designated under this subsection may choose (1) to furlough himself voluntarily, in which case the next most junior employee protected under the fireman manning or crew consist agreements or any other agreement or law, in the same craft or class at such location may be separated instead and receive the separation allowance, or (2) to exercise his seniority to another location, in which case the Corporation may separate, under the provisions of this subsection, the next most junior protected employee in active service at the location to which seniority ultimately is exercised.
(e)

Effect on Positions.—
(1)
The Corporation shall refrain from filling one fireman position in freight service, or in commuter service where applicable, for each employee in engine service separated in accordance with this section.
(2)
The Corporation may refrain from filling one brakeman position in excess of one conductor and one brakeman on one crew in freight service for each employee in train service who is separated in accordance with this section.
(3)
Positions permitted to be not filled under this subsection shall be not filled in different types of freight service actually operated at or from the location in a sequence to be agreed upon between the Corporation and the general chairman representative of classes or crafts of employees having jurisdiction over the position to be not filled. If no such agreement is reached, the Corporation may designate the position to be not filled.
(4)
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the Corporation shall retain all rights it has under any provision of law or agreement to refrain from filling any position of employment.
(f)

Procedures.—
The Corporation and representatives of the various classes and crafts of employees to be separated may agree on procedures to implement this section, but the absence of such agreement shall not interfere with implementation of the separations authorized by this section.
(g)

Commuter Employees.—
The provisions of this section shall apply to the separation of firemen in commuter service, except that with respect to such employees the Corporation is required to make the separations authorized by this section.
[45 U.S.C. 797a]

preferential hiring1
Sec. 703.
(a)

General.—
Any employee who is deprived of employment shall have the first right of hire by any other railroad for a vacancy for which he is qualified in a class or craft (or in the case of a non-agreement employee, for a non-agreement vacancy) in which such employee was employed by the Corporation or a predecessor carrier for not less than one year, except where such a vacancy is covered by (1) an affirmative action plan, or a hiring plan designed to eliminate discrimination, that is required by Federal or State statute, regulation, or Executive order, or by the order of a Federal court or agency, or (2) a permissible voluntary affirmative action plan. For purposes of this section, a railroad shall not be considered to be hiring new employees when it recalls any of its own furloughed employees.
^1
Section 4011(c) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (P.L. 99–272; 100 Stat. 109; April 7, 1986) provided as follows:
``(c) Exemption.—The provisions of section 703 of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 797b), section 8 of the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act (45 U.S.C. 907), and section 105 of the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1004) shall not apply to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation in the hiring of qualified train and engine employees who hold seniority rights to work in intercity rail passenger service in connection with the assumption by such Corporation of functions previously performed under contract by other carriers.''.
(b)

Status.—
The first right of hire afforded to employees under this section shall be coequal to the first right of hire afforded under section 8 of the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act (45 U.S.C. 907) and section 105 of the Rock Island Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1004).

central register of railroad employment
Sec. 704.
(a)

Register.—
(1)
The Railroad Retirement Board (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Board”) shall prepare and maintain a register of persons separated from railroad employment after at least one year of completed service with a railroad who have declared their current availability for employment in the railroad industry. The register shall be subdivided by class and craft of prior employment and shall be updated periodically to reflect current availability.
(2)
Each entry in the register shall include, or provide access to, basic information concerning the individual's experience and qualifications.
(3)
The Board shall place at the top of the register those former railroad employees entitled to priority under applicable provisions of law, including this Act.
(b)

Corporation Employees.—
As soon as is practicable after the effective date of this title, the Corporation shall provide to the Board the names of its former employees who elect to appear on the register and who have not been offered employment with acquiring railroads.
(c)

Vacancy Notices.—
(1)
Each railroad shall timely file with the Board a notice of vacancy with respect to any position for which the railroad intends to accept applications from persons other than current employees of that carrier.
(2)
(A)
As soon as the Board becomes aware of any failure on the part of a railroad to comply with paragraph (1), the Board shall issue a warning to such railroad of its potential liability under subparagraph (B).
(B)
Any railroad failing to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection after being warned by the Board under subparagraph (A) shall be liable for a civil penalty in the amount of $500 for each subsequent vacancy with respect to which such railroad has so failed to comply.
(d)

Placement.—
The Board shall, through distribution of copies of the central register (or portions thereof) to railroads and representatives of classes or crafts of employees and through publication of employment information derived from vacancy notices filed with the Board, promote the placement of former railroad employees possessing requisite skills and experience in appropriate positions with other railroads.
(e)

Employment Applications.—
In addition to its responsibilities under subsections (a) through (d) of this section, the Board shall facilitate the filing of employment applications with respect to current vacancies in the industry by former railroad employees entitled to priority under applicable provisions of law, including this Act.
(f)

Expiration.—
The provisions of this section shall cease to be effective on the expiration of the 6-year period beginning on the effective date of this title.
(g)

Resolution of Disputes.—
Any dispute, grievance, or claim arising under this section, section 703 of this Act, section 8 of the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act (45 U.S.C. 907), or section 105 of the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1004) shall be subject to resolution in accordance with the following procedures:
(1)
Any employee with such a dispute, grievance, or claim may petition the Board to review and investigate the dispute, grievance, or claim.
(2)
The Board shall investigate the dispute, grievance, or claim, and if it concludes that the employee's rights under this section, section 703 of this Act, section 8 of the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act (45 U.S.C. 907), or section 105 of the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1004) may have been violated, the dispute, grievance, or claim shall be subject to resolution in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 3 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 153).
(3)
In the case of any violation of this section, section 703 of this Act, section 8 of the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act (45 U.S.C. 907), or section 105 of the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (45 U.S.C. 1004), the Adjustment Board (or any division or delegate thereof) or any other board of adjustment created under section 3 of the Railway Labor Act shall, where appropriate, award such relief, including back pay, as may be necessary to enforce the employee's rights.
[45 U.S.C. 797c]

election and treatment of benefits
Sec. 705.
(a)

Election.—
(1)
Any employee who accepts any benefits under an agreement entered into under section 701 of this Act or a termination allowance under section 702 of this Act, shall, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, be deemed to waive any employee protection benefits otherwise available under any other provision of law or any contract or agreement in effect on the effective date of this title, except benefits under sections 703 and 704 of this Act, and shall be deemed to waive any cause of action for any alleged loss of benefits resulting from the provisions of or the amendments made by the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981.
(2)
Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall affect the right of any employee described in such paragraph to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 or the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.
(b)

Treatment of Benefits.—
Any benefits received by an employee under an agreement entered into pursuant to section 701 of this Act and any termination allowance received under section 702 of this Act shall be considered compensation solely for purposes of—
(1)
the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.); and
(2)
determining the compensation received by such employee in any base year under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. 351 et seq.).
[45 U.S.C. 797d]

assignment of work
Sec. 706.
(a)

General.—
With respect to any craft or class of employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for a process substantially equivalent to that provided for in this section, the Corporation shall have the right to assign, allocate, reassign, reallocate, and consolidate work formerly performed on the rail properties acquired pursuant to the provisions of this Act from a railroad in reorganization to any location, facility, or position on its system if it does not remove such work from coverage of a collective bargaining agreement and does not infringe upon the existing classification of work rights of any craft or class of employees at the location or facility to which such work is assigned, allocated, reassigned, reallocated, or consolidated. Prior to the exercise of authority under this subsection, the Corporation shall negotiate an agreement with the representatives of the employees involved permitting such employees the right to follow their work.
(b)

Expiration.—
The authority granted by this section shall apply only for as long as benefits are provided under this title with funds made available under section 713 of this Act.
[45 U.S.C. 797e]

contracting out
Sec. 707.
All work in connection with the operation or services provided by the Corporation on the rail lines, properties, equipment, or facilities acquired pursuant to the provisions of this Act and the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or modernization of such lines, properties, equipment, or facilities which has been performed by practice or agreement in accordance with provisions of the existing contracts in effect with the representatives of the employees of the classes or crafts involved shall continue to be performed by the Corporation's employees, including employees on furlough. Should the Corporation lack a sufficient number of employees, including employees on furlough, and be unable to hire additional employees, to perform the work required, it shall be permitted to subcontract that part of such work which cannot be performed by its employees, including those on furlough, except where agreement by the representatives of the employees of the classes or crafts involved is required by applicable collective-bargaining agreements. The term “unable to hire additional employees” as used in this section contemplates establishment and maintenance by the Corporation of an apprenticeship, training, or recruitment program to provide an adequate number of skilled employees to perform the work.
[45 U.S.C. 797f]

new collective-bargaining agreements
Sec. 708.
(a)

Agreement.—
Not later than 60 days after the effective date of any conveyance pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the representatives of the various classes or crafts of employees of a railroad in reorganization involved in a conveyance and representatives of the Corporation shall commence negotiation of a new single collective bargaining agreement for each class and craft of employees covering the rate of pay, rules, and working conditions of employees who are the employees of the Corporation. Such collective bargaining agreement shall include appropriate provisions concerning rates of pay, rules, and working conditions, but shall not, before April 1, 1984, include any provisions for job stabilization which may exceed or conflict with those established herein. Negotiations with respect to such single collective bargaining agreement, and any successor thereto, shall be conducted systemwide.
(b)

Procedure.—
(1)
Any procedure for finally determining the components of the first single collective bargaining agreement for any class or craft, agreed upon before the effective date of this title, shall be completed no later than 45 days after such effective date. Such agreed upon procedure shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of sections 7 and 8 of the Railway Labor Act. The National Mediation Board shall appoint any person as provided for by such agreements.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the parties to enter into a new single collective bargaining agreement if the agreement between the parties in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this title complied with section 504(d) of this Act as in effect immediately prior to such date.
(c)

Railway Labor Act Notices.—
Employees of the Corporation may not serve notices under section 6 of the Railway Labor Act for the purpose of negotiating job stabilization or other protective agreements with the Corporation until after April 1, 1984.
[45 U.S.C. 797g]

employee and personal injury claims
Sec. 709.
(a)

Liability For Employee Claims.—
In all cases of claims, prior to April 1, 1976, by employees, arising under the collective bargaining agreements of the railroads in reorganization in the Region, and subject to section 3 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 153), the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or an acquiring carrier, as the case may be, shall assume responsibility for the processing of any such claims, and payment of those which are sustained or settled on or subsequent to the date of conveyance, under section 303(b)(1) of this Act, and shall be entitled to direct reimbursement from the Association pursuant to section 211(h) of this Act, to the extent that such claims are determined by the Association to be the obligation of a railroad in reorganization in the Region. Any liability of an estate of a railroad in reorganization to its employees which is assumed, processed, and paid pursuant to this subsection by the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or an acquiring carrier shall remain the preconveyance obligation of the estate of such railroad for purposes of section 211(h)(1) of this Act. The Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, an acquiring carrier, or the Association, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a direct claim as a current expense of administration, in accordance with the provisions of section 211(h) of this Act (other than paragraph (4)(A) thereof), for reimbursement (including costs and expenses of processing such claims) from the estate of the railroad in reorganization on whose behalf such obligations are discharged or paid. In those cases in which claims for employees were sustained or settled prior to such date of conveyance, it shall be the obligation of the employees to seek satisfaction against the estate of the railroads in reorganization which were their former employers.
(b)

Assumption of Personal Injury Claims.—
All cases or claims by employees or their personal representatives for personal injuries or death against a railroad in reorganization in the Region arising prior to the date of conveyance of rail properties, pursuant to section 303 of this Act, shall be assumed by the Corporation or an acquiring railroad, as the case may be. The Corporation or the acquiring railroad shall process and pay any such claims that are sustained or settled, and shall be entitled to direct reimbursement from the Association pursuant to section 211(h) of this Act, to the extent that such claims are determined by the Association or its successor authority to be the obligation of such railroad. Any liability of an estate of a railroad in reorganization which is assumed, processed, and paid, pursuant to this subsection, by the Corporation or an acquiring railroad shall remain the preconveyance obligation of the estate of such railroad for purposes of section 211(h)(1) of this Act. The Corporation, an acquiring railroad, or the Association, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a direct claim as a current expense of administration, in accordance with the provisions of section 211(h) of this Act (other than paragraph (4)(A) thereof), for reimbursement (including costs and expenses of processing such claims) from the estate of the railroad in reorganization on whose behalf such obligations were discharged or paid.
[45 U.S.C. 797h]

limitations on liability
Sec. 710.
(a)

Federal Government.—
The liability of the United States under an agreement entered into or benefit schedule prescribed under section 701 of this Act or for payment of a termination allowance under section 702 of this Act shall be limited to amounts appropriated under section 713 of this Act.
(b)

The Corporation.—
(1)
The Corporation, Amtrak Commuter, and commuter authorities shall incur no liability under an agreement entered into or benefit schedule prescribed under section 701 of this Act or for the payment of a termination allowance under section 702 of this Act.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until April 1, 1984, the Corporation shall have no liability for employee protection in the event of a sale of any asset to a purchaser, and such purchaser shall assume the liability for the application of employee protection conditions imposed by the Commission for all employees adversely affected by such sale.
[45 U.S.C. 797i]

preemption
Sec. 711.
No State may adopt or continue in force any law, rule, regulation, order, or standard requiring the Corporation to employ any specified number of persons to perform any particular task, function, or operation, or requiring the Corporation to pay protective benefits to employees, and no State in the Region may adopt or continue in force any such law, rule, regulation, order, or standard with respect to any railroad in the Region.
[45 U.S.C. 797j]

factfinding panel
Sec. 712.
(a)

Purpose.—
The Corporation shall enter into collective bargaining agreements with it employees which provide for the establishment of one or more advisory factfinding panels, chaired by a neutral expert in industrial relations, for purposes of recommending changes in operating practices and procedures which result in greater productivity to the maximum extent practicable.
(b)

National Mediation Board.—
The National Mediation Board shall appoint public members to any panel established by an agreement entered into under this subparagraph, and shall perform such functions contained in the agreement as are consistent with the duties of such Board under the Railway Labor Act.
(c)

Other Functions.—
The factfinding panel may, before making its report to the parties, provide mediation, conciliation, and other assistance to the parties.
[45 U.S.C. 797k]

class ii railroads receiving federal assistance
Sec. 713.
The Surface Transportation Board shall impose no labor protection conditions in approving an application under section 10902 of title 49, United States Code, when the application involves a Class II rail carrier which—
(1)
is headquartered in a State, and operates in at least one State, with a population of less than 1,000,000 persons, as determined by the 1990 census; and
(2)
has, as of January 1, 1996, been a recipient of repayable Federal Railroad Administration assistance in excess of $5,000,000.
[45 U.S.C. 797l]

arbitration
Sec. 714.
Any dispute or controversy with respect to the interpretation, application, or enforcement of the provisions of this title, except sections 703, 704, 708 and 713, or section 1144 of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, and except those matters subject to judicial review under section 1152 of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981, which have not been resolved within 90 days, may be submitted by either party to an Adjustment Board for a final and binding decision thereon as provided in section 3 of the Railway Labor Act, in which event the burden of proof on all issues so presented shall be on the Corporation, or the Association, where appropriate.
[45 U.S.C. 797m]