Federal Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1980

Summary

Federal Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1980 - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (Act) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982. Allocates such appropriations to specified services and activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to impose such restrictions or prohibitions as may be necessary to abate an emergency situation involving a hazard of death or injury. Directs that such an order cease to be effective after 30 days unless extended in writing by the Secretary. Authorizes any employee who may be injured by such hazard to bring an action for a writ of mandamus if the Secretary arbitrarily fails to seek such relief. Authorizes the appropriate State agency to apply to a United States district court with jurisdiction for injunctive relief or for assessment and collection of a civil penalty for the violation of any railroad safety rule or order. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue orders directing compliance with the statutes and regulations regarding railroad safety transferred to the Secretary's responsibility under the Department of Transportation Act. Grants jurisdiction, upon petition by the Attorney General, to the district courts to enforce any order issued by the Secretary pursuant to such Act or to this Act. Prescribes criminal penalties for specified violations of the Act. Extends venue in such cases to include the judicial district in which the defendant has its principal executive office. Amends the Act to prohibit any railroad from discharging or discriminating against any railroad employee because such employee becomes involved in any enforcement action against such railroad. Directs the Secretary to issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to protect employees who refuse to work under hazardous conditions presenting a danger of death or serious injury. Amends the Act to prohibit Federal employees with authority to recommend or approve any personnel action from discriminating for or against any employee of or person applying for employment in one of three specified agencies on the basis of that person's collective reemployment rights or from requiring that such person relinquish those rights as a condition of employment. Establishes pay classifications for a railroad safety inspector and a railroad safety specialist. Amends the Hours of Service Act of 1907 to extend: (1) venue in specified cases to include the judicial district in which the defendant has its principal executive office; and (2) the statute of limitations if administrative notice is given pursuant to the Federal Claims Collection Act within two years from the date of the violation. Amends the Locomotive Inspection Act of 1911 to direct each carrier to keep on file the report of all required locomotive inspections and the report showing the repair of the defects disclosed by such an inspection. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop a methodology to determine safety inspection schedules, with priority granted to track and equipment involved with passenger trains and hazardous cargoes. Directs the Secretary to report to the House of Representatives and the Senate setting forth such methodology.

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Documents

3 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 22 September 1980

  Open at official source

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 16 May 1980

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 22 April 1980

  Open at official source

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