Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015

To amend title 49, United States Code, relating to the authority of the Secretary of Transportation under the public transportation safety program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015 2. Federal safety management Section 5329(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (f) Authority of Secretary (1) In general In carrying out this section, the Secretary may— (A) conduct inspections, investigations, audits, examinations, and testing of the equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations of the public transportation system of a recipient; (B) make reports and issue directives with respect to the safety of the public transportation system of a recipient; (C) in conjunction with an accident investigation or an investigation into a pattern or practice of conduct that negatively affects public safety, issue a subpoena to, and take the deposition of, any employee of a recipient or a State safety oversight agency, if— (i) before the issuance of the subpoena, the Secretary requests a determination by the Attorney General of the United States as to whether the subpoena will interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation; and (ii) the Attorney General— (I) determines that the subpoena will not interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation; or (II) fails to make a determination under clause (i) before the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary makes a request under subparagraph (A); (D) require the production of documents by, and prescribe recordkeeping and reporting requirements for, a recipient or a State safety oversight agency; (E) investigate public transportation accidents and incidents and provide guidance to recipients regarding prevention of accidents and incidents; (F) at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, enter and inspect equipment, facilities, rolling stock, operations, and relevant records of the public transportation system of a recipient; and (G) issue rules to carry out this section. (2) Additional authority (A) If the Secretary finds that a State safety oversight agency that oversees a rail fixed guideway system operating in more than 2 States has become incapable of providing adequate safety oversight of such system, the Secretary may administer State safety oversight activities for such rail fixed guideway system until the States develop a State safety oversight program certified by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (e) of this section. (B) To carry out administrative and oversight activities authorized by this paragraph, the Secretary may use— (i) grant funds apportioned to an eligible State under subsection (e)(6) to develop or carry out a State safety oversight program; and (ii) grant funds apportioned to an eligible State under subsection (e)(6) that have not been obligated within the administrative period of availability. .

Summary: Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT), in carrying out the public transportation safety program, to: conduct inspections, investigations, audits, examinations, and testing of the equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations of the public transportation system of a recipient of financial assistance; make reports and issue directives with respect to the safety of a recipient's system; subpoena and depose any employee of a recipient or of a state safety oversight agency, subject to certain administrative requirements, in conjunction with an accident investigation or an investigation into a pattern or practice of conduct negatively affecting public safety; and investigate public transportation accidents and incidents and provide guidance to recipients regarding their prevention. DOT may also administer state safety oversight activities for a rail fixed guideway system operating in more than two states, if the state safety oversight agency overseeing the system has become incapable of providing adequate safety oversight, until the states involved develop a state safety oversight program that DOT certifies as meeting specified criteria.