II 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 1710 

To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport 

domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 14, 2013 

Mr. WHITEHOUSE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 

referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

A BILL 

To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pets on Trains Act 

5 of 2013’’. 

6 SEC. 2. AMTRAK POLICY FOR PASSENGERS TRANSPORTING 

7 DOMESTICATED CATS AND DOGS. 

8 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 

9 date of the enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall propose 


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1 a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domes2 ticated cats or dogs on certain trains operated by Amtrak. 

3 (b) PET POLICY.—In the proposal required under 

4 subsection (a), Amtrak shall— 

5 (1) designate, where feasible, at least one car of 

6 each passenger train that is comprised of more than 

7 one car in which a ticketed passenger may transport 

8 a domesticated cat or dog in the same manner as 

9 carry-on baggage if— 

10 (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet 

11 kennel; 

12 (B) the pet kennel can be stowed in ac13 cordance with Amtrak size requirements for 

14 carriage of carry-on baggage; 

15 (C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling 

16 a distance less than 750 miles; and 

17 (D) the passenger pays a fee described in 

18 subsection (c); and 

19 (2) allow ticketed passengers to transport do20 mesticated cats or dogs in the same manner as cargo 

21 if— 

22 (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet 

23 kennel; 


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1 (B) the pet kennel can be stowed in ac2 cordance with Amtrak requirements for cargo 

3 stowage; 

4 (C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling 

5 a distance less than 750 miles; 

6 (D) the cargo area is temperature con7 trolled in a manner protective of dog and cat 

8 health; and 

9 (E) the passenger pays a fee described in 

10 subsection (c). 

11 (c) FEE COLLECTION.—Under the pet policy de12 scribed in subsection (b), Amtrak shall collect a fee for 

13 each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger in 

14 an amount that, at a minimum, covers the costs of admin15 istration of the policy. 

16 (d) LIMITATION ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 

17 (1) SERVICE ANIMALS.—The proposal required 

18 under subsection (a) shall be separate from and in 

19 addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers 

20 traveling with service animals. Nothing in this sec21 tion may be interpreted to limit or waive the rights 

22 of passengers to transport service animals. 


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1 (2) ADDITIONAL TRAIN CARS.—Nothing in this 

2 section may be interpreted to require Amtrak to add 

3 additional train cars or modify existing train cars. 

Æ 


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