Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 749 (114th)

Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

5 February 2015

Last action

9 March 2015 · Introduced

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

Rep. Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Denham, Jeff [R-CA-10], Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8], Rep. Hanna, Richard L. [R-NY-22], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11], Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5], Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Walters, Mimi [R-CA-45], Rep. Costello, Ryan A. [R-PA-6], Carlos Curbelo

Subjects

Energy, Transport

Source updated

7 April 2025

Energy · Transport

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2019 to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for: the Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account, the National Network account, the Office of the Inspector General, and national infrastructure investment capital grants. Directs Amtrak to establish internal controls to ensure its costs and revenues are allocated to either the Northeast Corridor or the National Network. Directs the Secretary to establish substantive and procedural requirements for Northeast Corridor and National Network investment capital grant requests. Directs Amtrak to establish: a Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account for Northeast Corridor capital improvement projects, and a National Network account for capital expenses and operating costs of the National Network. Requires the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission to: develop an annual capital investment plan for the Northeast Corridor main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York; and update, once every 10 years, a Northeast Corridor service development plan. Requires Amtrak, and states and public entities that own infrastructure supporting or providing intercity rail passenger transportation on the Northeast Corridor, to develop and update asset management plans for the Northeast Corridor main line and the Northeast Corridor branch lines. Requires the Amtrak Board of Directors to prepare a five-year capital and operating plan for the Northeast Corridor and National Network. Directs the Secretary to establish a State-Supported Route Advisory Committee. Amends the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 to revise requirements with respect to methodologies for Amtrak route and service planning decisions. Requires Amtrak, as a condition of receiving a grant, to obtain the services of an independent entity to develop and recommend objective methodologies for Amtrak to use in the planning of intercity rail passenger transportation routes and services. Revises alternate passenger rail service pilot program requirements. Requires the Surface Transportation Board, within 120 days after submission of a dispute between Amtrak and a rail carrier (or carriers) awarded the right to provide rail service over a route in which Amtrak is to grant access to its reservation system, stations, and facilities, to issue an order requiring Amtrak to provide such facilities and services to those carriers if certain criteria are met. Directs Amtrak to develop a plan to eliminate the operating loss for food and beverage service on board its trains. Directs Amtrak to request proposals from private sector persons or entities to utilize Amtrak-owned rights-of-way for telecommunications systems, energy distribution systems, and other appropriate activities. Authorizes Amtrak to enter into an agreement to implement any such proposal or proposals. Requires Amtrak to report to Congress on options to enhance development around Amtrak stations. Amends the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 to extend indefinitely specified authority to restructure long-term Amtrak debt and capital leases. Directs Amtrak to develop a pilot program to allow passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain Amtrak trains. Directs the Amtrak Inspector General to evaluate Amtrak's boarding procedures at the 10 stations through which the most people pass. Directs the Secretary to develop a program to issue competitive grants for capital improvement projects included in the Northeast Corridor Priority Project List. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to revise Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program requirements. Modifies application procedures for direct loans and loan guarantees for railroad improvement projects. Requires the Secretary, in granting applications for such loans and guarantees, to give priority to projects for the installation of a positive train control. Directs the Secretary to make direct loans and loan guarantees for capital improvement projects in the Northeast Corridor (NEC Fast Forward Program). Prescribes requirements for the award of grants in excess of $1 billion. Directs the Secretary to study the availability and use of small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-funded intercity rail passenger transportation projects. Directs the FRA to convene a working group to evaluate the restoration of intercity rail passenger service in the Gulf Coast region between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Orlando, Florida. Directs the Secretary to begin a rulemaking to govern the federal review, permitting, and approval or disapproval of freight railroad and intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation infrastructure projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) pursue program alternatives to promote a consistent approach in the treatment of railroad and rail-related properties for historic preservation review, and (2) develop mechanisms for streamlining compliance with specified requirements.

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

Timeline

  1. 5 February 2015

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 5 February 2015

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 5 February 2015

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 6 February 2015

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

    Source: Committee

  5. 12 February 2015

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  6. 12 February 2015

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 12 February 2015

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  8. 26 February 2015

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 20.

    Source: Calendars

  9. 26 February 2015

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-30.

    Source: Committee

  10. 26 February 2015

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-30.

    Source: Committee

  11. 2 March 2015

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 134 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 749 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Resolution also provides for proceedings of the House during the period from March 4, 2015 through March 13, 2015.

    Source: Floor

  12. 3 March 2015

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 134 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 4 March 2015

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 316 - 101 (Roll no. 112).

    Source: Floor

  14. 4 March 2015

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 4 March 2015

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 316 - 101 (Roll no. 112).

    Source: Floor

  16. 4 March 2015

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 184 - 232 (Roll no. 111).

    Source: Floor

  17. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    Mr. Maloney, Sean moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Transportation. (consideration: CR H1600-1602; text: CR H1601)

    Source: Floor

  18. 4 March 2015

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1585-1593)

    Source: Floor

  19. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 749.

    Source: Floor

  20. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 749 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Resolution also provides for proceedings of the House during the period from March 4, 2015 through March 13, 2015.

    Source: Floor

  21. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  22. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 134 and Rule XVIII.

    Source: Floor

  23. 4 March 2015

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 134. (consideration: CR H1578-1596, H1596-1603)

    Source: Floor

  24. 9 March 2015

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

View fileDownload file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 9 March 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 9 March 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 4 March 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 4 March 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 4 March 2015

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 26 February 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 26 February 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported to House without amendment

    summary · EN · 26 February 2015

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 5 February 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 5 February 2015

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 5 February 2015

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Related records

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.