[House Report 118-173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress  }                                              { Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session    }                                              { 118-173

======================================================================



 
                           ONE SEAT RIDE ACT

                                _______
                                

 September 1, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Graves of Missouri, from the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1547]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 1547) to direct the Secretary of 
Transportation to conduct a study on the costs and benefits of 
commuter rail passenger transportation involving transfers, and 
for other purposes, having considered the same, reports 
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the 
bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose of Legislation...........................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Hearings.........................................................     2
Legislative History and Consideration............................     3
Committee Votes..................................................     3
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations.................     5
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................     5
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     5
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................     6
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     6
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     6
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     6
Preemption Clarification.........................................     6
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     6
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     6
Section-by-Section Analysis of The Legislation...................     7
      Section 1. Short Title.....................................     7
      Section 2. Study on Commuter Service.......................     7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     7

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``One Seat Ride Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDY ON COMMUTER SERVICE.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
study identifying the benefits of commuter rail passenger 
transportation and major obstacles to providing commuter rail passenger 
transportation that does not involve a transfer for passengers.
  (b) Requirements.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
          (1) consider economic, logistical, and quality of life 
        factors in analyzing the major obstacles to implementing 
        single-seat trips on commuter rail passenger transportation for 
        as many passengers as possible; and
          (2) include in such study an analysis of the costs and 
        benefits with respect to single-seat trips on commuter rail 
        passenger transportation on the New Jersey Transit Raritan 
        Valley line during peak hours and the impact such trips would 
        have on other New Jersey Transit lines.
  (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a report on the study 
required under subsection (a).
  (d) Commuter Rail Passenger Transportation Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``commuter rail passenger transportation'' has the meaning 
given such term in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code.

                         PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION

    The purpose of H.R. 1547, as amended, is to direct the 
Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the costs and 
benefits of commuter rail passenger transportation involving 
transfers.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    This legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to 
conduct a study analyzing obstacles to single-seat trips on 
commuter passenger rail. The study specifically will analyze 
the costs and benefits of providing single-seat commuter rail 
service on the New Jersey Transit Raritan Valley line during 
peak transit times and the impact of such service on other New 
Jersey Transit Lines.
    A ``one seat ride'' would allow commuters to take one train 
on the Raritan Valley line, as opposed to needing to transfer 
trains at various points on the network. The Secretary must 
submit the results of the study to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate within one year of this Act's enactment.

                                HEARINGS

    For the purposes of rule XIII, clause 3(c)(6)(A) of the 
118th Congress the following hearings were used to develop or 
consider H.R. 1547:
    On June 6, 2023, the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, 
and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure held a hearing entitled, ``Amtrak Operations: 
Examining the Challenges and Opportunities for Improving 
Efficiency and Service.'' The hearing provided an opportunity 
for Members of the Committee to discuss the current state of 
Amtrak and plans for passenger rail growth, including 
discussion of this legislation. The Subcommittee received 
testimony from Mr. Stephen Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, 
Amtrak, and Mr. Mitch Warren, Executive Director, Northeast 
Corridor Commission.

                 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND CONSIDERATION

    H.R. 1547, the ``One Seat Ride Act,'' was introduced in the 
United States House of Representatives on March 10, 2023, by 
Mr. Kean of New Jersey and Ms. Watson Coleman of New Jersey, 
and referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. Within the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, H.R. 1547 was referred to the Subcommittee on 
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and the 
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. The Subcommittee on 
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and Subcommittee 
on Highways and Transit were discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 1547 on July 27, 2023.
    The Committee considered H.R. 1547 on July 27, 2023, and 
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a 
favorable recommendation, as amended, by a recorded vote of 56 
yeas and 3 nays.
    The following amendments were offered:
    Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1547 
offered by Mr. Kean of New Jersey (ANS 1) was AGREED TO, as 
amended, by voice vote.
    An Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute 
to H.R. 1547 offered by Mr. Payne of New Jersey (Payne 047) 
(ANS 1A) was AGREED TO by voice vote.
    An Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute 
to H.R. 1547 offered by Mr. Payne of New Jersey (Payne 048) 
(ANS 1B) was NOT AGREED TO by a recorded vote of 27 yeas and 32 
nays.
    An Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute 
to H.R. 1547 offered by Mr. Menendez of New Jersey (Menendez 
015) (ANS 1C) was NOT AGREED TO by voice vote.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires each committee report to include the 
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote 
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the 
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for 
and against.

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Roll Call Vote No. 24

    On: agreeing to Amendment (Payne 48) ANS 1B offered by Mr. 
Payne
    Not Agreed to: 27 yeas and 32 nays

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Member                           Vote                    Member                    Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Graves of MO................................          Nay   Mr. Larsen of WA..................          Yea
Mr. Crawford....................................          Nay   Ms. Norton........................          Yea
Mr. Webster of FL...............................          Nay   Mrs. Napolitano...................          Yea
Mr. Massie......................................          Nay   Mr. Cohen.........................  ............
Mr. Perry.......................................          Nay   Mr. Garamendi.....................          Yea
Mr. Babin.......................................          Nay   Mr. Johnson of GA.................          Yea
Mr. Graves of LA................................          Nay   Mr. Carson........................          Yea
Mr. Rouzer......................................          Nay   Ms. Titus.........................          Yea
Mr. Bost........................................          Nay   Mr. Huffman.......................  ............
Mr. LaMalfa.....................................          Nay   Ms. Brownley......................          Yea
Mr. Westerman...................................          Nay   Ms. Wilson of FL..................          Yea
Mr. Mast........................................          Nay   Mr. Payne.........................          Yea
Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon.............................          Nay   Mr. DeSaulnier....................          Yea
Mr. Stauber.....................................          Nay   Mr. Carbajal......................          Yea
Mr. Burchett....................................          Nay   Mr. Stanton.......................          Yea
Mr. Johnson of SD...............................  ............  Mr. Allred........................          Yea
Mr. Van Drew....................................          Nay   Ms. Davids of KS..................          Yea
Mr. Nehls.......................................          Nay   Mr. Garcia of IL..................          Yea
Mr. Gooden of TX................................  ............  Mr. Pappas........................          Yea
Mr. Mann........................................          Nay   Mr. Moulton.......................          Yea
Mr. Owens.......................................          Nay   Mr. Auchincloss...................          Yea
Mr. Yakym.......................................          Nay   Ms. Strickland....................          Yea
Mrs. Chavez-DeRemer.............................          Nay   Mr. Carter of LA..................  ............
Mr. Edwards.....................................          Nay   Mr. Ryan..........................          Yea
Mr. Kean of NJ..................................          Nay   Mrs. Peltola......................          Yea
Mr. D'Esposito..................................          Nay   Mr. Menendez......................          Yea
Mr. Burlison....................................          Nay   Ms. Hoyle of OR...................          Yea
Mr. James.......................................          Nay   Mrs. Sykes........................          Yea
Mr. Van Orden...................................          Nay   Ms. Scholten......................          Yea
Mr. Williams of NY..............................  ............  Mrs. Foushee......................          Yea
Mr. Molinaro....................................          Nay
Mr. Collins.....................................          Nay
Mr. Ezell.......................................          Nay
Mr. Duarte......................................          Nay
Mr. Bean of FL..................................          Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Roll Call Vote No. 25

    On: agreeing to Final Passage, H.R. 1547, as amended
    Agreed to: 56 yeas and 3 nays

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Member                           Vote                    Member                    Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Graves of MO................................          Yea   Mr. Larsen of WA..................          Yea
Mr. Crawford....................................          Yea   Ms. Norton........................          Yea
Mr. Webster of FL...............................          Yea   Mrs. Napolitano...................          Yea
Mr. Massie......................................          Nay   Mr. Cohen.........................  ............
Mr. Perry.......................................          Nay   Mr. Garamendi.....................          Yea
Mr. Babin.......................................          Yea   Mr. Johnson of GA.................          Yea
Mr. Graves of LA................................          Yea   Mr. Carson........................          Yea
Mr. Rouzer......................................          Yea   Ms. Titus.........................          Yea
Mr. Bost........................................          Yea   Mr. Huffman.......................  ............
Mr. LaMalfa.....................................          Yea   Ms. Brownley......................          Yea
Mr. Westerman...................................          Yea   Ms. Wilson of FL..................          Yea
Mr. Mast........................................          Yea   Mr. Payne.........................          Yea
Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon.............................          Yea   Mr. DeSaulnier....................          Yea
Mr. Stauber.....................................          Yea   Mr. Carbajal......................          Yea
Mr. Burchett....................................          Yea   Mr. Stanton.......................          Yea
Mr. Johnson of SD...............................  ............  Mr. Allred........................          Yea
Mr. Van Drew....................................          Yea   Ms. Davids of KS..................          Yea
Mr. Nehls.......................................          Yea   Mr. Garcia of IL..................          Yea
Mr. Gooden of TX................................  ............  Mr. Pappas........................          Yea
Mr. Mann........................................          Yea   Mr. Moulton.......................          Yea
Mr. Owens.......................................          Yea   Mr. Auchincloss...................          Yea
Mr. Yakym.......................................          Yea   Ms. Strickland....................          Yea
Mrs. Chavez-DeRemer.............................          Yea   Mr. Carter of LA..................  ............
Mr. Edwards.....................................          Yea   Mr. Ryan..........................          Yea
Mr. Kean of NJ..................................          Yea   Mrs. Peltola......................          Yea
Mr. D'Esposito..................................          Yea   Mr. Menendez......................          Yea
Mr. Burlison....................................          Nay   Ms. Hoyle of OR...................          Yea
Mr. James.......................................          Yea   Mrs. Sykes........................          Yea
Mr. Van Orden...................................          Yea   Ms. Scholten......................          Yea
Mr. Williams of NY..............................  ............  Mrs. Foushee......................          Yea
Mr. Molinaro....................................          Yea
Mr. Collins.....................................          Yea
Mr. Ezell.......................................          Yea
Mr. Duarte......................................          Yea
Mr. Bean of FL..................................          Yea
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

               NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

    Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and 
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the 
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is 
included in this report.

               CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has 
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1547, as amended, 
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:




    H.R. 1547 would require the Department of Transportation 
(DOT) to study the benefits and obstacles of commuter rail 
transportation in metropolitan and suburban areas and report 
its findings to the Congress within one year of enactment. In 
that study, DOT would consider economic, logistical, and 
quality of life factors and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of 
commuter rail transportation on New Jersey transit lines.
    Using information about the cost of similar studies, CBO 
estimates that implementing the bill would have an 
insignificant cost. Any spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Robert Reese. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                             Director, Congressional Budget Office.

                    PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
performance goal and objective of this legislation is to 
conduct a study on the costs and benefits of commuter rail 
passenger transportation involving transfers.

                    DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 1547 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
Federal government known to be duplicative of another Federal 
program, a program that was included in any report from the 
Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

             CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS,
                      AND LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS

    In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule 
XXI.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (Public Law 104-4).

                        PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, 
or tribal law. The Committee finds that H.R. 1547, as amended, 
does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

             SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title

    This section states that this Act may be cited as the ``One 
Seat Ride Act.''

Section 2. Study on commuter service

    This section requires the Secretary of Transportation to 
conduct a study identifying the benefits of commuter rail 
passenger transportation and major obstacles to providing 
commuter rail passenger transportation that does not involve a 
transfer for passengers. The study must include an analysis of 
the costs and benefits of commuter transport on New Jersey 
Transit's Raritan Valley Line during peak hours and the impact 
of such trips on other New Jersey Transit lines. Within one 
year of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a 
report on the study to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

         CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    As reported by the Committee, H.R. 1547, as amended, makes 
no changes in existing law.