Federal Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1978

Summary

Safety Act Amendments - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to stipulate that a State may bring an action to enforce railroad safety rules, regulations, or orders where the Secretary of Transportation has failed to act within 90 days after being notified of a safety violation by the investigating State agency (previously a State could commence an action where the Secretary had failed to act within 90 days after the violation occurred). Removes the authority of the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate rail accidents. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 to carry out the provisions of such Act. Amends the Hours of Service Act to restrict its application to common carriers by railroad engaging in interstate or foreign commerce. Vests the authority to assess civil penalties for improperly equipped railroad cars with the Secretary of Transportation. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to eliminate the $100,000,000 ceiling on the purchase of trustee certificates of railroads in reorganization by the Secretary of Transportation. Stipulates that the Secretary's authority to make commitments to purchase railroad redeemable preference shares under such Act shall terminate on September 30, 1979.

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Documents

3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 3 November 1978

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 13 October 1978

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 15 May 1978

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