To amend title 49, United States Code, to eliminate provisions of Federal law that provide special support for, or burdens on, the operation of Amtrak as a passenger rail carrier, and for other purposes.

Summary

Amends Federal transportation law to repeal specified authorities with respect to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), eliminating intercity rail passenger transportation (while retaining Amtrak commuter services). Repeals a provision which provides for the judicial review of the discontinuance of a route, a train, or transportation, or the reduction in the frequency of transportation by Amtrak. Authorizes appropriations in decreasing amounts over four fiscal years. Repeals specified laws that apply to Amtrak operations, abolishing the Board of Directors. Declares that the United States relinquishes all rights held in any stock, note of indebtedness, or mortgage issued by or entered into with Amtrak. Repeals: (1) certain provisions which require Amtrak to make an agreement to avoid duplicating employee functions; (2) all authority for operation of the Amtrak route system; and (3) all authority for the Northeast Corridor improvement program. Prohibits a rail carrier employee whose employment is terminated as a result of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service from receiving any wage continuation or severance benefit in excess of six months pay. Authorizes a rail carrier to require an employee whose position is eliminated as a result of such discontinuance to transfer to any vacant position for which he or she can be made qualified on any part of the rail carrier's system. (Sec. 8) Amends the Federal Employers' Liability Act (or Employers' Liability Act) to declare that it shall not apply to common carriers to the extent they provide rail passenger transportation.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 20 May 1997

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 20 May 1997

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2928)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 20 May 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 20 May 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 2 June 1997

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 20 May 1997 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 20 May 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 20 May 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 20 May 1997

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Klug, Scott L. [R-WI-2] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5] · R · Cosponsor
• ED ROYCE · R · Cosponsor
• · hspw00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.