Amtrak Improvement Act of 1983

Summary

Amtrak Improvement Act of 1983 - Title I: Amtrak and Amtrak-Related Provisions - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1984 for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). Requires the Corporation to discontinue service which is projected to have: (1) a specified avoidable loss per passenger mile for FY 1984 and subsequent fiscal years; and (2) less than a specified passenger mile per train mile ratio. Requires the Corporation to continue certain service that it planned to discontinue if the States through which such service passes agree to pay: (1) 80 percent of the short-term avoidable loss in the first fiscal year and 100 percent of the short-term avoidable loss in subsequent fiscal years; and (2) 50 percent of associated capital costs. Directs the Secretary, at the request of the Corporation, to discharge the guaranteed obligations of the Corporation to the Federal Financing Bank. Requires the Secretary to continue to guarantee loans to the Corporation under previously approved capital programs and to repay existing equipment obligations. Authorizes the Corporation to dispose of surplus rolling stock, but to offer such stock for sale first to public agencies operating rail service. Establishes the Amtrak Revolving Capital Fund for the deposit of revenues from passenger operations (excluding appropriated funds) and for the funding of all capital projects of the Corporation. Requires the Corporation, before March 1 of each year, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the capital projects proposed for the next fiscal year. Authorizes any railroad to negotiate an agreement with the Corporation to service any points between points already serviced by the Corporation. Makes the Corporation's amendments to the Route and Service Criteria effective at the end of 120 days (currently 60 days) of continuous session of Congress after submission of such amendment to Congress. Removes congressional veto provisions for such amendments. Prohibits the Corporation from discontinuing service between Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Florida. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize the expenditure of funds to finance costs incurred after cancellation of electrification conversions. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act to extend the payment of benefits under the employee protection agreement until April 1, 1985 (currently April 1, 1984). Amends the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations for the Office of the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration for FY 1984. Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to decrease the membership on the Board of Directors of the United States Railway Association from five to three members, by removing the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission from such Board. Eliminates provisions which prohibit the Chairman of such Board from having direct financial relationships with any railroad. Extends the term of office of the Chairman from December 31, 1983, until December 31, 1985. Authorizes appropriations for the Association for FY 1984. Allows the Consolidated Rail Corporation, prior to November 1, 1985 (currently November 1, 1983), to file with the Interstate Commerce Commission a notice of insufficient revenues for any line which is part of its system. Changes the congressional approval provisions for any plan for the sale of United States' interests in the Corporation and for freight transfer agreements, to require that such plans be enacted into law before implementation. Extends the benefits for certain employees under the employee protection agreement for six months from the date such benefits were exhausted. Authorizes appropriations for the Railroad Accounting Principles Board for FY 1984 through 1986. Declares as nonnavigable water two parcels of land in Jersey City, New Jersey. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to eliminate the Secretary's authority to reserve the expenditure of certain FY 1983 through 1985 funds for the Northeast Corridor. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act to prohibit the Railroad Retirement Board from entering into any contract with any carrier to perform the functions under the Social Security Act with respect to individuals entitled to benefits as qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries. Prohibits the continuance of any such contract after September 30, 1984.

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Documents

3 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 6 March 1984

  Open at official source

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 21 September 1983

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 26 July 1983

  Open at official source

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