I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 749 
To reauthorize Federal support for passenger rail programs, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 5, 2015 
Mr. SHUSTER (for himself, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. DENHAM, and Mr. CAPUANO) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To reauthorize Federal support for passenger rail programs, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorization for Amtrak. 
Sec. 102. Authorization for Amtrak Office of the Inspector General. 
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Sec. 103. National infrastructure investments. 
Sec. 104. Northeast Corridor. 
TITLE II—AMTRAK REFORM 
Sec. 201. Amtrak planning and grant process. 
Sec. 202. 5-Year capital and operating plan. 
Sec. 203. State-supported routes. 
Sec. 204. Route and service planning decisions. 
Sec. 205. Competition. 
Sec. 206. Food and beverage reform. 
Sec. 207. Right of way leveraging. 
Sec. 208. Station development. 
Sec. 209. Amtrak debt. 
Sec. 210. Amtrak pilot program for passengers transporting domesticated cats 
and dogs. 
Sec. 211. Amtrak boarding procedures. 
TITLE III—INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL POLICY 
Sec. 301. Federal-State partnership for Northeast Corridor development and 
improvement. 
Sec. 302. RRIF improvements. 
Sec. 303. NEC fast forward. 
Sec. 304. Large capital project requirements. 
Sec. 305. Small business participation study. 
Sec. 306. Gulf Coast rail service working group. 
Sec. 307. Miscellaneous. 
TITLE IV—PROJECT DELIVERY 
Sec. 401. Project delivery rulemaking. 
Sec. 402. Historic preservation of railroads. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 501. Definition. 
Sec. 502. Title 49 definitions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION FOR AMTRAK. 
(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT FUND.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
for the use of Amtrak for deposit into the Northeast Cor-
ridor Improvement Fund account established under sec-
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tion 24319(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code (as added 
by section 201 of this Act), the following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2016, $439,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2017, $464,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2018, $480,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2019, $498,000,000. 
(b) NATIONAL NETWORK.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak 
for deposit into the National Network account established 
under section 24319(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code 
(as added by section 201 of this Act), the following 
amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2016, $973,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2017, $974,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2018, $985,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2019, $997,000,000. 
(c) PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.—The Sec-
retary may withhold up to $2,000,000 of the amount ap-
propriated pursuant to subsection (a), and up to 
$2,000,000 of the amount appropriated pursuant to sub-
section (b), for the costs of management oversight of Am-
trak. 
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SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION FOR AMTRAK OFFICE OF THE 
INSPECTOR GENERAL. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary for the Office of the Inspector General of Amtrak 
the following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2016, $23,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2017, $24,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2018, $24,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2019, $25,000,000. 
SEC. 103. NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary for capital grants under chapter 
244 of title 49, United States Code, and section 20154 
of title 49, United States Code, the following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2016, $300,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2017, $300,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2018, $300,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2019, $300,000,000. 
(b) FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR NORTHEAST 
CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT.—Of the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a), 50 percent for each fiscal year shall be available for 
carrying out section 24407 of title 49, United States Code, 
as added by section 301 of this Act. 
(c) PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.—The Sec-
retary may withhold up to 1⁄2 of 1 percent of amounts 
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appropriated pursuant to chapter 244 of title 49, United 
States Code, for the costs of project management over-
sight of capital projects carried out pursuant to such chap-
ter. 
SEC. 104. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR. 
For purposes of this title, the term ‘‘Northeast Cor-
ridor’’ means the Northeast Corridor main line between 
Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and 
facilities and services used to operate and maintain that 
line. 
TITLE II—AMTRAK REFORM 
SEC. 201. AMTRAK PLANNING AND GRANT PROCESS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 243 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new sections: 
‘‘§ 24317. Costs and revenues 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and In-
vestment Act of 2015, Amtrak shall establish and main-
tain internal controls to ensure Amtrak’s costs and reve-
nues are allocated to either the Northeast Corridor or the 
National Network, including proportional shares of com-
mon and fixed costs. 
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‘‘(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this chapter, the 
term ‘Northeast Corridor’ means the Northeast Corridor 
main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District 
of Columbia, and facilities and services used to operate 
and maintain that line. 
‘‘§ 24318. Grant process 
‘‘(a) PROCEDURES
FOR GRANT REQUESTS.—Not 
later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Pas-
senger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, the Sec-
retary of Transportation shall establish and transmit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate substantive and procedural requirements, in-
cluding schedules, for grant requests under this section. 
‘‘(b) GRANT REQUESTS.—Amtrak shall transmit 
grant requests for Federal funds to be appropriated to the 
Secretary for the use of Amtrak to— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary; and 
‘‘(2) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 
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‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—A grant request under subsection 
(b) shall— 
‘‘(1) provide a detailed financial analysis for the 
upcoming fiscal year for the Northeast Corridor, 
State-supported routes, and long-distance routes, in-
cluding 
projections 
for 
the 
items 
listed 
in 
24320(c)(1), as applicable, in comparison to prior 
fiscal year projections; 
‘‘(2) include a description of the work to be 
funded, along with cost estimates and an estimated 
timetable for completion of the projects covered by 
the request; 
‘‘(3) include an assessment of the continuing fi-
nancial stability of Amtrak; 
‘‘(4) be displayed on Amtrak’s website within a 
reasonable timeframe following its submission to the 
entities described in subsection (b); and 
‘‘(5) be in similar format and substance to 
those submitted by executive agencies of the Federal 
Government. 
‘‘(d) REVIEW AND APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) 30-DAY
APPROVAL
PROCESS.—The Sec-
retary shall complete the review of a grant request 
and approve or disapprove the request not later than 
30 days after the date on which Amtrak submits the 
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authorized to be appropriated, amounts appropriated 
shall be paid to Amtrak as follows: 
‘‘(A) 50 percent on October 1. 
‘‘(B) 25 percent on January 1. 
‘‘(C) 25 percent on April 1. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may make a 
payment to Amtrak of appropriated funds more fre-
quently than once every 90 days if Amtrak, for good 
cause, requests more frequent payment before a 90- 
day period ends. 
‘‘(f) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS AND EARLY APPRO-
PRIATIONS.—Amounts appropriated to the Secretary for 
the use of Amtrak shall remain available until expended. 
Amounts for capital acquisitions and improvements may 
be appropriated for a fiscal year before the fiscal year in 
which the amounts will be obligated. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATIONS ON USE.—Amounts appropriated 
to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak may not be used 
to subsidize operating losses of commuter rail passenger 
or rail freight transportation. 
‘‘§ 24319. Accounts 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNTS.—Amtrak shall 
establish— 
‘‘(1) a Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund 
account; and 
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‘‘(2) a National Network account. 
‘‘(b) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT FUND 
ACCOUNT.— 
‘‘(1) DEPOSITS.—Amtrak shall deposit in the 
Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account es-
tablished under subsection (a)(1)— 
‘‘(A) grant funds appropriated for the 
Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund pursu-
ant to section 101(a) of the Passenger Rail Re-
form and Investment Act of 2015 or any subse-
quent Act; 
‘‘(B) compensation received from com-
muter rail passenger transportation on the 
Northeast Corridor provided to Amtrak pursu-
ant to section 24905(c); and 
‘‘(C) any operating surplus of the North-
east Corridor, as allocated pursuant to section 
24317. 
‘‘(2) USE OF NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IMPROVE-
MENT FUND ACCOUNT.—Except as provided in sub-
section (d), amounts deposited in the Northeast Cor-
ridor Improvement Fund account shall be made 
available for the use of Amtrak for— 
‘‘(A) capital projects described in section 
24401(2) (A) or (B) to bring the Northeast 
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Corridor to a state-of-good-repair, including 
projects 
described 
in 
section 
24911(a)(2)(E)(i)(I); 
‘‘(B) capital projects intended to increase 
corridor capacity, improve service reliability, 
and reduce travel time for rail users on the 
Northeast Corridor, including projects described 
in 
subclauses 
(II) 
and 
(III) 
of 
section 
24911(a)(2)(E)(i), consistent with the planning 
process established under section 24911; and 
‘‘(C) retirement of principal and payment 
of interest on loans for capital equipment, or 
capital leases, attributable to the Northeast 
Corridor. 
‘‘(c) NATIONAL NETWORK ACCOUNT.— 
‘‘(1) DEPOSITS.—Amtrak shall deposit in the 
account established under subsection (a)(2)— 
‘‘(A) grant funds appropriated for the Na-
tional Network pursuant to section 101(b) of 
the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act 
of 2015, or any subsequent Act; 
‘‘(B) compensation received from States 
provided to Amtrak pursuant to section 209 of 
the Passenger Rail Investment and Improve-
ment Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 24101 note); and 
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‘‘(C) any operating surplus from the Na-
tional Network, as allocated pursuant to section 
24317. 
‘‘(2) USE OF NATIONAL NETWORK ACCOUNT.— 
Except as provided in subsection (d), amounts de-
posited in the National Network account shall be 
made available for the use of Amtrak for capital ex-
penses and operating costs of the National Network 
and retirement of principal and payment of interest 
on loans for capital equipment, or capital leases, at-
tributable to the National Network. 
‘‘(d) TRANSFER AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—Amtrak may transfer any 
funds appropriated pursuant to the Passenger Rail 
Reform and Investment Act of 2015 or any other 
Act, or any surplus generated by operations, between 
the Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund and Na-
tional Network accounts upon the expiration of 60 
days after Amtrak has notified the Amtrak Board of 
Directors of such transfer. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after 
the Amtrak Board of Directors receives notification 
from Amtrak under paragraph (1), the Board shall 
transmit a report to the Secretary, the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Com-
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mittee on Appropriations of the House of Represent-
atives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate, that includes— 
‘‘(A) the amount of the transfer; and 
‘‘(B) a detailed explanation of the reason 
for the transfer, including effects on Amtrak 
services if no transfer were made. 
‘‘(e) LETTERS OF INTENT.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall issue 
a letter of intent to Amtrak announcing an intention 
to obligate, for a major capital project described in 
subclauses 
(II) 
and 
(III) 
of 
section 
24911(a)(2)(E)(i), an amount from future available 
budget authority specified in law that is not more 
than the amount stipulated as the financial partici-
pation of the Secretary in the project. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—At least 30 days 
before issuing a letter under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall notify in writing the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Represent-
atives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate, of the proposed letter. The 
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Secretary shall include with the notification a copy 
of the proposed letter, the criteria used for selecting 
the project for a grant award, and a description of 
how the project meets criteria of this section. 
‘‘(3) CONTINGENT NATURE OF OBLIGATION OR 
COMMITMENT.—An 
obligation 
or 
administrative 
commitment may be made only when amounts are 
appropriated. The letter of intent shall state that the 
contingent commitment is not an obligation of the 
Federal Government, and is subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations under Federal law and to 
Federal laws in force or enacted after the date of 
the contingent commitment. 
‘‘(f) ROLLING STOCK PURCHASES.—Prior to entering 
into contracts in excess of $100,000,000 for rolling stock 
procurements, Amtrak shall submit a business case anal-
ysis to the Secretary, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate, on the utility of 
such purchase. This analysis shall— 
‘‘(1) include a cost and benefit comparison that 
describes the total lifecycle costs and the anticipated 
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benefits related to revenue, operational efficiency, re-
liability, and other factors; 
‘‘(2) set forth the total payments by fiscal year; 
‘‘(3) identify the specific source and amounts of 
funding for each payment, including Federal funds, 
State funds, Amtrak profits, Federal, State, or pri-
vate loans or loan guarantees, and other funding; 
‘‘(4) include whether any payment under the 
contract will increase Amtrak’s grant request, as re-
quired under section 24318, in that particular fiscal 
year; and 
‘‘(5) describe how Amtrak will adjust the pro-
curement if future funding is not available.’’. 
(2) TABLE
OF
SECTIONS
AMENDMENT.—The 
table of sections for chapter 243 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new items: 
‘‘24317. Costs and revenues. 
‘‘24318. Grant process. 
‘‘24319. Accounts.’’. 
(b) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR PLANNING.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 249 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 24911. Northeast Corridor planning 
‘‘(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT 
PLAN.— 
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‘‘(1) 
REQUIREMENT.—Not 
later 
than 
months after the date of enactment of the Passenger 
Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, and annu-
ally thereafter, the Northeast Corridor Infrastruc-
ture and Operations Advisory Commission estab-
lished under section 24905 (referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘Commission’) shall develop a capital in-
vestment 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 
facilities and services used to operate and maintain 
those lines. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each such plan shall— 
‘‘(A) be developed to establish a coordi-
nated approach to capital spending on the 
Northeast Corridor; 
‘‘(B) cover a period of 5 fiscal years, be-
ginning with the first fiscal year after the date 
of the plan; 
‘‘(C) notwithstanding section 24902(b), 
prioritize projects and investments along the 
Northeast Corridor based on— 
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‘‘(i) the anticipated benefits and costs 
of projects; 
‘‘(ii) the anticipated Federal and non- 
Federal funding available; and 
‘‘(iii) the information contained in the 
Northeast Corridor asset management 
plans required under subsection (b), once 
available; 
‘‘(D) ensure coordination and optimization 
across the entire Northeast Corridor and among 
the various owners and users; 
‘‘(E) include a financial plan for the in-
vestment period that— 
‘‘(i) categorizes each capital project as 
being primarily associated with— 
‘‘(I) normalized capital replace-
ment; 
‘‘(II) replacement, rehabilitation, 
or repair of Northeast Corridor infra-
structure assets, including tunnels, 
bridges, stations, and other assets; or 
‘‘(III) improvement of train per-
formance on the Northeast Corridor, 
including reduced trip times, in-
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creased train frequencies, higher oper-
ating speeds, and other improvements; 
‘‘(ii) identifies the anticipated funding 
source and financing method for each cap-
ital project described in subclauses (II) 
and (III) of clause (i); 
‘‘(iii) describes the anticipated out-
comes of each project, including— 
‘‘(I) an assessment of the poten-
tial effect on passenger accessibility, 
operations, safety, reliability, and re-
siliency, and on the ability of infra-
structure owners and operators to 
meet regulatory requirements should 
the project not be funded; and 
‘‘(II) an assessment of the bene-
fits and costs; 
‘‘(iv) identifies the extent to which the 
capital assets are or will be jointly used by 
intercity passenger rail service and other 
users, and the proportionate share of that 
joint usage; and 
‘‘(v) for projects that are expected to 
be fully or partially funded through Fed-
eral financial assistance, identifies the 
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most appropriate public agency or entity to 
receive those funds and implement each 
capital project. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL CONTENTS.—Any plan devel-
oped under paragraph (1) after the publication by 
the Secretary of Transportation of the Northeast 
Corridor service development plan shall also— 
‘‘(A) be developed to identify, prioritize, 
and phase the implementation of projects nec-
essary to achieve the goals and findings con-
tained in such Northeast Corridor service devel-
opment plan; 
‘‘(B) 
allow 
for 
flexibility 
to 
change 
prioritization and programs based upon the 
availability of Federal and non-Federal funding; 
‘‘(C) inform the Secretary in developing 
recommendations for Congress on Federal fund-
ing needs for the Northeast Corridor and any 
corresponding Federal investments in the re-
spective capital programs for Northeast Cor-
ridor infrastructure owners and users; and 
‘‘(D) capture the network-level anticipated 
outcomes associated with plan implementation, 
including the anticipated effect on passenger 
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accessibility, operations, safety, reliability, and 
resiliency. 
‘‘(b) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR ASSET MANAGEMENT 
PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) CONTENTS.—Amtrak, and States and pub-
lic transportation entities that own infrastructure 
that supports or provides for intercity rail passenger 
transportation on the Northeast Corridor, shall de-
velop and update as necessary Northeast Corridor 
asset management plans for the Northeast Corridor 
main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the 
District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor 
branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsyl-
vania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten 
Duyvil, New York, and facilities and services used to 
operate and maintain those lines, that— 
‘‘(A) are consistent with the Federal Tran-
sit Administration process, as authorized under 
section 5326, when implemented; and 
‘‘(B) include, at a minimum— 
‘‘(i) an inventory of all capital assets 
owned by the developer of the plan; 
‘‘(ii) an assessment of the condition of 
each of those assets; 
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‘‘(iii) a description of how the condi-
tion of each asset has changed since the 
previous iteration of the plan; and 
‘‘(iv) a description of the necessary re-
sources and processes for bringing or 
maintaining those assets in a state-of-good 
repair, including decision support tools and 
investment prioritization methodologies. 
‘‘(2) TRANSMITTAL TO COMMISSION.—Not later 
than 12 months after the date of enactment of the 
Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, 
each entity described in paragraph (1) shall transmit 
to the Commission a plan developed under para-
graph (1). Any updates to such plan shall also be 
transmitted to the Commission. 
‘‘(c) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR SERVICE DEVELOP-
MENT PLAN UPDATES.—The Commission shall, at least 
once every 10 years, update the Northeast Corridor service 
development plan.’’. 
(2) TABLE
OF
SECTIONS
AMENDMENT.—The 
table of sections for chapter 249 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new item: 
‘‘24911. Northeast Corridor planning.’’. 
(c) REPEALS.—The following provisions are repealed: 
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(1) Sections 206 and 211 of the Passenger Rail 
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, and the 
items relating thereto in the table of contents of 
such Act. 
(2) Section 24104 of title 49, United States 
Code, and the item relating thereto in the table of 
sections for chapter 241 of such title. 
SEC. 202. 5-YEAR CAPITAL AND OPERATING PLAN. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 243 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 24320. 5-Year capital and operating plan 
‘‘(a) PLAN.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of an Act appropriating funds pursuant to 
section 101 of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment 
Act of 2015, or any subsequent authorization of appro-
priations for the same purposes, the Amtrak Board of Di-
rectors shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a 5- 
year capital and operating plan for the Northeast Corridor 
and National Network. 
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‘‘(b) CONSULTATION.—Each such plan shall be pre-
pared in consultation with— 
‘‘(1) the Federal Railroad Administration; 
‘‘(2) the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and 
Operations Advisory Commission, with respect to the 
Northeast Corridor; and 
‘‘(3) the requisite States, with respect to the 
National Network. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—A plan prepared under this section 
shall— 
‘‘(1) for each of the Northeast Corridor and the 
National Network, include— 
‘‘(A) projected revenues and expenditures 
for the Northeast Corridor, State-supported 
routes, long-distance routes, and corporate de-
velopment, including Federal and non-Federal 
funding sources; 
‘‘(B) projected ridership levels for the 
Northeast Corridor, State-supported routes, 
and long-distance routes; 
‘‘(C) projected capital and operational 
funding requirements necessary to maintain 
passenger service in order to accommodate pre-
dicted ridership levels and predicted sources of 
Federal and non-Federal funding; 
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‘‘(D) projected capital and operating re-
quirements, ridership, revenue, and expendi-
tures for new passenger service operations or 
service expansions; 
‘‘(E) an assessment of the continuing fi-
nancial stability of Amtrak, as indicated by fac-
tors including anticipated Federal funding of 
capital and operating costs, Amtrak’s ability to 
efficiently recruit, retain, and manage its work-
force, and Amtrak’s ability to effectively provide 
passenger rail service; 
‘‘(F) estimates of long-term and short-term 
debt and associated principal and interest pay-
ments (both current and anticipated); 
‘‘(G) annual cash flow forecasts; 
‘‘(H) a statement describing methods of 
estimation and significant assumptions; 
‘‘(I) specific measures that demonstrate 
measurable improvement year over year in the 
financial results of Amtrak’s operations; 
‘‘(J) prior fiscal year and projected— 
‘‘(i) operating ratio, cash operating 
loss, and cash operating loss per passenger 
on a route, business line, and corporate 
basis; 
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‘‘(ii) specific costs and savings esti-
mates resulting from reform initiatives; 
‘‘(iii) productivity statistics on a 
route, business line, and corporate basis; 
and 
‘‘(iv) equipment reliability statistics; 
‘‘(K) capital and operating expenditures 
for anticipated security needs; and 
‘‘(L) a prioritization of capital expendi-
tures by business line; and 
‘‘(2) reflect the Northeast Corridor planning, as 
applicable, and grant processes established under 
sections 24911 and 24318. 
‘‘(d) CONFORMANCE TO AUTHORIZED FUNDING LEV-
ELS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), any financial projection for a fiscal year 
that is included in a plan prepared under this sec-
tion shall be based on the amount of dedicated fund-
ing for such fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) ABSENCE OF APPROPRIATION.—In the ab-
sence of an appropriation of funds for such fiscal 
year, the projection shall be based on the amount of 
funds authorized by law to be appropriated for that 
fiscal year, plus other dedicated funding. 
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‘‘(3) DEDICATED FUNDING DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘dedicated funding’ means any 
amounts appropriated for a fiscal year and any 
other funding sources, including revenues and other 
ancillary funding streams, for the Northeast Cor-
ridor or the National Network. 
‘‘(e) STANDARDS TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL STA-
BILITY.—In preparing a plan under this section, the 
Board shall apply sound budgetary practices, including re-
ducing costs and other expenditures, improving produc-
tivity, increasing revenues, or combinations of such prac-
tices. 
‘‘(f) UPDATES.—Amtrak shall provide monthly re-
ports for the current fiscal year in electronic format to 
the Secretary and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the Senate regarding the items de-
scribed in subsection (c)(1), which shall include a descrip-
tion of the work completed to date, any differences from 
projections, and the reasons for such differences.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF SECTIONS AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for such chapter 243 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new item: 
‘‘24320. 5-Year capital and operating plan.’’. 
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(c) REPEAL.—Section 204 of the Passenger Rail In-
vestment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 
note), and the item relating thereto in the table of con-
tents of such Act, are repealed. 
SEC. 203. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 247 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 24712. State-supported routes 
‘‘(a) STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTE ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail 
Reform and Investment Act of 2015, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall establish a State-Supported 
Route Advisory Committee to promote mutual co-
operation and planning pertaining to the rail oper-
ations and related activities of trains operated on 
State-supported routes and to further implement 
section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note). 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall con-
sist of representatives of— 
‘‘(A) Amtrak; 
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‘‘(B) the Department of Transportation, 
including the Federal Railroad Administration; 
and 
‘‘(C) 7 States that sponsor State-supported 
routes, selected by the Administrator of the 
Federal Railroad Administration on the basis of 
appropriate expertise and geographic balance, 
and in a manner that ensures that all appro-
priate States are represented periodically on the 
Committee. 
‘‘(3) DISTRIBUTION
OF
MEMBERSHIP.—The 
membership belonging to any of the groups de-
scribed in each individual subparagraph of para-
graph (2) shall not constitute a majority of the 
Committee’s memberships. 
‘‘(4) MEETINGS; RULES AND PROCEDURES.— 
The Committee shall establish a schedule and loca-
tion for convening meetings, but shall meet no less 
than 2 times every fiscal year. The Committee shall 
develop rules and procedures to govern the Commit-
tee’s proceedings. 
‘‘(b) COST, SERVICE, AND RIDERSHIP FORECASTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 31, 
2016, and annually thereafter, Amtrak shall trans-
mit to each State that sponsors a State-supported 
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route, and to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate— 
‘‘(A) a final statement of costs, revenues, 
ridership, and other information determined ap-
propriate by the Committee established under 
subsection (a), pertaining to each such route for 
the prior fiscal year; and 
‘‘(B) a cost, service, and ridership forecast 
for each such route for the upcoming fiscal 
year, developed pursuant to the methodology es-
tablished under section 209 of the Passenger 
Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 
(49 U.S.C. 24101 note). 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—The Committee may estab-
lish a different deadline than is required under para-
graph (1) for submission of final financial state-
ments and cost, service, and ridership forecasts. 
‘‘(3) QUARTERLY
UPDATES.—Beginning in 
2016, and each year thereafter, Amtrak shall trans-
mit to each State that sponsors a State-supported 
route quarterly updates of the cost, service, and rid-
ership forecast described in paragraph (1)(B) to en-
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able States to pace costs against State budgets, plan 
effectively, and address unexpected changes in costs 
in a timely manner, on the following dates: 
‘‘(A) April 30, for the period encompassing 
January through March of such year. 
‘‘(B) July 31, for the period encompassing 
April through June of such year. 
‘‘(C) October 31, for the period encom-
passing July through September of such year. 
‘‘(c) INVOICES.—Not later than February 15, 2016, 
and monthly thereafter, Amtrak shall provide to each 
State that sponsors a State-supported route a monthly in-
voice of the cost of operating such route, including fixed 
costs and third-party costs. 
‘‘(d) DISPUTE RESOLUTION.— 
‘‘(1) REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED RESOLUTION.— 
If a dispute arises with respect to a forecast devel-
oped under subsection (b), an invoice developed 
under subsection (c), or the terms of a contract for 
operation of a State-supported route negotiated be-
tween Amtrak and a State that sponsors the route, 
either Amtrak or the State may request that the 
Surface Transportation Board conduct expedited 
dispute resolution under this subsection. 
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‘‘(2) PROCEDURES.—The Surface Transpor-
tation Board shall establish procedures for expedited 
resolution of disputes brought before it under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(3) BINDING
EFFECT.—The decision of the 
Surface Transportation Board under this subsection 
shall be binding on the parties to the dispute. 
‘‘(e) FRA ASSISTANCE.—The Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration may provide assistance to the parties in the 
course of negotiations for a contract for operation of a 
State-supported route. 
‘‘(f) PERFORMANCE METRICS.—In negotiating a con-
tract for operation of a State-supported route, Amtrak 
and the State or States that sponsor the route shall con-
sider including provisions that provide penalties and incen-
tives for performance based on metrics that take into ac-
count only those factors within the control of Amtrak or 
the State or States. 
‘‘(g) DEFINITION OF STATE.—In this section, the 
term ‘State’ means each of the 50 States and the District 
of Columbia.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF SECTIONS AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for such chapter 247 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new item: 
‘‘24712. State-supported routes.’’. 
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SEC. 204. ROUTE AND SERVICE PLANNING DECISIONS. 
Section 208 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 208. METHODOLOGIES FOR AMTRAK ROUTE AND 
SERVICE PLANNING DECISIONS. 
‘‘(a) METHODOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Pas-
senger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, as a con-
dition of receiving a grant under section 101 of such Act, 
Amtrak shall obtain the services of an independent entity 
to develop and recommend objective methodologies for 
Amtrak to use in determining what intercity rail passenger 
transportation routes and services it should provide, in-
cluding the establishment of new routes, the elimination 
of existing routes, and the contraction or expansion of 
services or frequencies over such routes. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—Amtrak shall require the 
entity, in developing the methodologies described in sub-
section (a), to consider— 
‘‘(1) the current and expected performance and 
service quality of intercity rail passenger transpor-
tation operations, including cost recovery, on-time 
performance, ridership, on-board services, stations, 
facilities, equipment, and other services; 
‘‘(2) connectivity of a route with other routes; 
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‘‘(3) the transportation needs of communities 
and populations that are not well served by intercity 
rail passenger transportation service or by other 
forms of intercity transportation; 
‘‘(4) the methodologies of Amtrak and major 
intercity rail passenger transportation service pro-
viders in other countries for determining intercity 
passenger rail routes and services; 
‘‘(5) the views of States, rail carriers that own 
infrastructure over which Amtrak operates, Amtrak 
employee representatives, and other interested par-
ties; and 
‘‘(6) the funding levels that will be available 
under authorization levels that have been enacted 
into law. 
‘‘(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform 
and Investment Act of 2015, Amtrak shall transmit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the rec-
ommendations developed by the entity pursuant to sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(d) CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 90 days after transmitting the recommenda-
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tions pursuant to subsection (c), the Amtrak Board of Di-
rectors shall consider the adoption of the recommenda-
tions and transmit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a report containing an explanation of any 
reasons for adopting or not adopting the recommenda-
tions.’’. 
SEC. 205. COMPETITION. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Section 24711 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 24711. Alternate passenger rail service pilot pro-
gram 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and In-
vestment Act of 2015, the Federal Railroad Administra-
tion shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to develop a 
pilot program that— 
‘‘(1) permits a rail carrier or rail carriers that 
own infrastructure over which Amtrak operates a 
passenger rail service route described in subpara-
graph (B), (C), or (D) of section 24102(7) or in sec-
tion 24702(a) to petition the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration to be considered as a passenger rail 
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service provider over that route in lieu of Amtrak for 
an operations period of 5 years; 
‘‘(2) requires the Federal Railroad Administra-
tion to notify Amtrak within 30 days after receiving 
a petition under paragraph (1) and establish a dead-
line by which both the petitioner and Amtrak would 
be required to submit a bid to provide passenger rail 
service over the route to which the petition relates; 
‘‘(3) requires that each bid describe how the 
bidder would operate the route, what Amtrak pas-
senger equipment would be needed, if any, and what 
sources of non-Federal funding the bidder would 
use, including any State subsidy, among other 
things; 
‘‘(4) requires the Federal Railroad Administra-
tion to execute a contract within a specified, limited 
time after the deadline established under paragraph 
(2) and award to the winning bidder— 
‘‘(A) the right and obligation to provide 
passenger rail service over that route subject to 
such performance standards as the Federal 
Railroad Administration may require; and 
‘‘(B) an operating subsidy— 
‘‘(i) for the first year at a level not in 
excess of 90 percent of the level in effect 
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for that specific route during the fiscal 
year preceding the fiscal year in which the 
petition was received, adjusted for infla-
tion; and 
‘‘(ii) for any subsequent years at the 
level calculated under clause (i), adjusted 
for inflation; and 
‘‘(5) requires that each bid contain a staffing 
plan describing the number of employees needed to 
operate the service, the job assignments and require-
ments, and the terms of work for prospective and 
current employees of the bidder for the service out-
lined in the bid, and that such staffing plan be made 
available by the winning bidder to the public after 
the bid award. 
‘‘(b) ROUTE LIMITATIONS.—The Federal Railroad 
Administration may not make the program available with 
respect to more than 2 Amtrak intercity passenger rail 
routes. 
‘‘(c) PERFORMANCE STANDARDS; ACCESS TO FACILI-
TIES; EMPLOYEES.—If the Federal Railroad Administra-
tion awards the right and obligation to provide passenger 
rail service over a route under this section to a rail carrier 
or rail carriers— 
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‘‘(1) it shall execute a contract with the rail 
carrier or rail carriers for rail passenger operations 
on that route that conditions the operating and sub-
sidy rights on— 
‘‘(A) the service provider continuing to 
provide passenger rail service on the route that 
is no less frequent, nor over a shorter distance, 
than Amtrak provided on that route before the 
award; and 
‘‘(B) the service provider’s compliance with 
the standards established under subsection 
(a)(4)(A), and such additional performance 
standards as the Administration may establish; 
‘‘(2) it shall, if the award is made to a rail car-
rier other than Amtrak, require Amtrak to provide 
access to its reservation system, stations, and facili-
ties directly related to operations to any rail carrier 
or rail carriers awarded a contract under this sec-
tion, in accordance with subsection (d), necessary to 
carry out the purposes of this section; 
‘‘(3) an employee of any person used by such 
rail carrier or rail carriers in the operation of a 
route under this section shall be considered an em-
ployee of that carrier or carriers and subject to the 
applicable Federal laws and regulations governing 
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similar crafts or classes of employees of Amtrak, in-
cluding provisions under section 121 of the Amtrak 
Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 (49 U.S.C. 
4312 note) relating to employees that provide food 
and beverage service; and 
‘‘(4) the winning bidder shall provide hiring 
preference to qualified Amtrak employees displaced 
by the award of the bid, consistent with the staffing 
plan submitted by the bidder, and shall be subject 
to the grant conditions under section 24405 of this 
title. 
‘‘(d) DISPUTES.—If Amtrak and the rail carrier or 
rail carriers awarded a route under this section cannot 
agree upon terms to carry out subsection (c)(2), and the 
Surface Transportation Board finds that access to Am-
trak’s facilities or equipment, or the provision of services 
by Amtrak, is necessary to carry out subsection (c)(2) and 
that the operation of Amtrak’s other services will not be 
impaired thereby, the Surface Transportation Board shall, 
within 120 days after submission of the dispute, issue an 
order that the facilities and equipment be made available, 
and that services be provided, by Amtrak, and shall deter-
mine reasonable compensation, liability, and other terms 
for use of the facilities and equipment and provision of 
the services. 
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‘‘(e) CESSATION OF SERVICE.—If a rail carrier or rail 
carriers awarded a route under this section cease to oper-
ate the service or fail to fulfill their obligations under the 
contract required under subsection (c), the Federal Rail-
road Administration, in collaboration with the Surface 
Transportation Board, shall take any necessary action 
consistent with this title to enforce the contract and en-
sure the continued provision of service, including the in-
stallment of an interim service provider and rebidding the 
contract to operate the service. The entity providing serv-
ice shall either be Amtrak or a rail carrier defined in sub-
section (a)(1). 
‘‘(f) ADEQUATE RESOURCES.—Before taking any ac-
tion allowed under this section, the Secretary shall certify 
that the Federal Railroad Administration has sufficient 
resources appropriated under section 101(b) of Passenger 
Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, or any subse-
quent appropriation, for that purpose that are adequate 
to undertake the program established under this section. 
‘‘(g) BUDGET AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Trans-
portation may provide to a winning bidder selected under 
this section appropriations authorized under sections 
101(b) of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act 
of 2015, or any subsequent appropriation for the same 
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purposes, necessary to cover the operating subsidy de-
scribed in subsection (a)(4)(B).’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the conclu-
sion of the pilot program established under the amend-
ment made by subsection (a), the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results on the pilot 
program established under section 24711 of title 49 
United States Code, and any recommendations for further 
action. 
SEC. 206. FOOD AND BEVERAGE REFORM. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 243 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 24321. Food and beverage reform 
‘‘(a) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Invest-
ment Act of 2015, Amtrak shall develop and begin imple-
menting a plan to eliminate, within 5 years of such date 
of enactment, the operating loss associated with providing 
food and beverage service on board Amtrak trains. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing and imple-
menting the plan, Amtrak shall consider a combination of 
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cost management and revenue generation initiatives, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(1) scheduling optimization; 
‘‘(2) on-board logistics; 
‘‘(3) product development and supply chain effi-
ciency; 
‘‘(4) training, awards, and accountability; 
‘‘(5) technology enhancements and process im-
provements; and 
‘‘(6) ticket revenue allocation. 
‘‘(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Amtrak shall ensure that no 
Amtrak employee holding a position as of the date of en-
actment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act 
of 2015 is involuntarily separated because of— 
‘‘(1) the development and implementation of the 
plan required under subsection (a); or 
‘‘(2) any other action taken by Amtrak to im-
plement this section. 
‘‘(d) NO
FEDERAL
FUNDING
FOR
OPERATING 
LOSSES.—Beginning on the date that is 5 years after the 
date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and In-
vestment Act of 2015, no Federal funds may be used to 
cover any operating loss associated with providing food 
and beverage service on a route operated by Amtrak or 
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an alternative passenger rail service provider that operates 
a route in lieu of Amtrak pursuant to section 24711. 
‘‘(e) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and In-
vestment Act of 2015, and annually thereafter for 5 years, 
Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report containing the plan developed 
pursuant to subsection (a) and a description of progress 
in the implementation of the plan.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘24321. Food and beverage reform.’’. 
SEC. 207. RIGHT OF WAY LEVERAGING. 
(a) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall 
issue a Request for Proposals seeking private sector per-
sons or entities to utilize Amtrak-owned right-of-way for 
telecommunications systems, energy distribution systems, 
and other activities considered appropriate by Amtrak. 
The Request for Proposals shall provide sufficient infor-
mation on Amtrak’s right-of-way real estate assets to en-
able respondents to propose an arrangement that will 
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monetize such assets through revenue sharing agreements 
with Amtrak. 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Amtrak 
Board of Directors shall review and consider each proposal 
submitted pursuant to subsection (a). Amtrak may enter 
into such agreements as are necessary to implement any 
such proposal or proposals. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak 
shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the Request for Proposals required 
by this section, including summary information of any pro-
posals submitted to Amtrak and any proposals accepted 
by the Amtrak Board of Directors. 
SEC. 208. STATION DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, Am-
trak shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a report on options to enhance development 
around Amtrak stations, including— 
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(1) strengthening multimodal connections, in-
cluding intercity buses; 
(2) options for capturing development-related 
revenue streams; and 
(3) other opportunities to better leverage sta-
tion assets. 
(b) PROPOSALS.— 
(1) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.—Not later than 
18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
Amtrak shall issue a Request for Proposals seeking 
persons or entities, where appropriate, to carry out 
the options identified under subsection (a). 
(2) CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS.—Not later 
than 24 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Amtrak Board of Directors shall review and 
consider each proposal submitted pursuant to para-
graph (1). Amtrak may enter into such agreements 
as are necessary to implement any such proposal or 
proposals. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak 
shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the Request for Proposals required 
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by this section, including summary information of any pro-
posals submitted to Amtrak and any proposals accepted 
by the Amtrak Board of Directors. 
SEC. 209. AMTRAK DEBT. 
Section 205 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘, to the ex-
tent provided in advance in appropriations Acts’’ 
after ‘‘Amtrak’s indebtedness’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘as of the date of enactment of 
this Act’’ each place it appears; 
(3) in subsection (a), by striking the second 
sentence; 
(4) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary of the Treasury, in consultation’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘To the extent amounts are provided in advance 
in appropriations Acts, the Secretary of the Treas-
ury, in consultation’’; 
(5) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘, to the ex-
tent provided in advance in appropriations Acts’’ 
after ‘‘as appropriate’’; 
(6) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘by section 
102 of this division’’; and 
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(7) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ‘‘by section 
102’’ and inserting ‘‘for Amtrak’’. 
SEC. 210. AMTRAK PILOT PROGRAM FOR PASSENGERS 
TRANSPORTING DOMESTICATED CATS AND 
DOGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall develop a pilot 
program that allows passengers to transport domesticated 
cats or dogs on certain trains operated by Amtrak. 
(b) PET POLICY.—In developing the pilot program 
required under subsection (a), Amtrak shall— 
(1) in the case of a passenger train that is com-
prised of more than 1 car, designate, where feasible, 
at least 1 car in which a ticketed passenger may 
transport a domesticated cat or dog in the same 
manner as carry-on baggage if— 
(A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet 
kennel; 
(B) the pet kennel is stowed in accordance 
with Amtrak size requirements for carriage of 
carry-on baggage; 
(C) the passenger is traveling on a train 
operating on a route described in subparagraph 
(A), (B), or (D) of section 24102(7) of title 49, 
United States Code; and 
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(D) the passenger pays a fee described in 
paragraph (3); 
(2) allow a ticketed passenger to transport a 
domesticated cat or dog on a train in the same man-
ner as cargo if— 
(A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet 
kennel; 
(B) the pet kennel is stowed in accordance 
with Amtrak requirements for cargo stowage; 
(C) the passenger is traveling on a train 
operating on a route described in subparagraph 
(A), (B), or (D) of section 24102(7) of title 49, 
United States Code; 
(D) the cargo area is temperature con-
trolled in a manner protective of cat and dog 
safety and health; and 
(E) the passenger pays a fee described in 
paragraph (3); and 
(3) collect fees for each cat or dog transported 
by a ticketed passenger in an amount that, in the 
aggregate and at a minimum, covers the full costs 
of the pilot program. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the pilot 
program required under subsection (a) is first imple-
mented, Amtrak shall transmit to the Committee on 
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Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report containing an 
evaluation of the pilot program. 
(d) LIMITATION ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) SERVICE ANIMALS.—The pilot program re-
quired under subsection (a) shall be separate from 
and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak pas-
sengers traveling with service animals. Nothing in 
this section may be interpreted to limit or waive the 
rights of passengers to transport service animals. 
(2) ADDITIONAL TRAIN CARS.—Nothing in this 
section may be interpreted to require Amtrak to add 
additional train cars or modify existing train cars. 
(3) FEDERAL FUNDS.—No Federal funds may 
be used to implement the pilot program required 
under this section. 
SEC. 211. AMTRAK BOARDING PROCEDURES. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Amtrak Office of Inspector 
General shall transmit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that— 
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(1) evaluates Amtrak’s boarding procedures at 
its 10 stations through which the most people pass; 
(2) compares Amtrak’s boarding procedures 
to— 
(A) commuter railroad boarding proce-
dures at stations shared with Amtrak; 
(B) international intercity passenger rail 
boarding procedures; and 
(C) fixed guideway transit boarding proce-
dures; and 
(3) makes recommendations, as appropriate, to 
improve Amtrak’s boarding procedures, including 
recommendations regarding the queuing of pas-
sengers and free-flow of all station-users. 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 6 months after the release of the report re-
quired under subsection (a), the Amtrak Board of Direc-
tors shall consider each recommendation provided under 
subsection (a)(3) for implementation across the Amtrak 
system. 
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TITLE III—INTERCITY 
PASSENGER RAIL POLICY 
SEC. 301. FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR NORTHEAST 
CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE-
MENT. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 244 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 24407. Federal-State partnership for Northeast 
Corridor rehabilitation and improvement 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall develop and implement a program for issuing grants 
to applicants, on a competitive basis, for the purpose of 
financing the capital projects included in the Northeast 
Corridor Priority Project List developed under subsection 
(c). 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply: 
‘‘(1) APPLICANT.—The term ‘applicant’ means 
a State (including the District of Columbia), a group 
of States, an Interstate Compact, or a public agency 
established by one or more States and having re-
sponsibility for providing intercity passenger or com-
muter rail service. 
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‘‘(2) 
MAJOR
STATE-OF-GOOD-REPAIR 
PROJECT.—The term ‘major state-of-good-repair 
project’ means a capital project primarily intended 
to replace, rehabilitate or repair major Northeast 
Corridor infrastructure assets utilized for providing 
intercity rail passenger transportation, including 
tunnels, bridges, stations, and other assets as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.—The term ‘im-
provement project’ means a capital project primarily 
intended to improve intercity passenger rail perform-
ance on the Northeast Corridor, including reduced 
trip times, increased train frequencies, higher oper-
ating speeds, and other improvements as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR PRIORITY PROJECT 
LIST.—The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Oper-
ations Advisory Commission, established under section 
24905, shall develop and approve a Northeast Corridor 
Priority Project List that shall include— 
‘‘(1) a list of prioritized individual major state- 
of-good-repair projects and improvement projects 
along the Northeast Corridor that— 
‘‘(A) can be completed based on— 
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‘‘(i) the funding authorized under sec-
tion 103(b) of the Passenger Rail Reform 
and Investment Act of 2015; 
‘‘(ii) any subsequent applicable au-
thorization in effect; 
‘‘(iii) in the absence of such an au-
thorization, a 5-year funding amount based 
on the most recent appropriation; or 
‘‘(iv) the requirements of subsection 
(d); and 
‘‘(B) are consistent with the Northeast 
Corridor capital investment plan required under 
section 24911(a); 
‘‘(2) an identification of the applicant for each 
individual project; 
‘‘(3) an identification of the sources of non- 
Federal matching funds for each project; and 
‘‘(4) a description of the benefits each project 
will bring to intercity rail passenger services. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—The Federal grants author-
ized under this section shall be for no more than 50 per-
cent of the net project cost of the project involved. 
‘‘(e) APPLICABILITY OF CAPITAL GRANT REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Except as specifically provided in this section, 
the use of any amounts appropriated for grants under this 
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section shall be subject to the requirements of this chap-
ter. 
‘‘(f) MATCH REQUIREMENTS.—No grants may be ob-
ligated to an applicant under this section unless the appli-
cant has transmitted to the Secretary of Transportation 
a binding written commitment to provide all amounts nec-
essary for the purpose of matching Federal contributions 
as required by this section. 
‘‘(g) UPDATES TO LIST.—The Northeast Corridor 
Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission shall 
revise the NEC Priority Project List as necessary to re-
flect— 
‘‘(1) any differences in the availability of Fed-
eral funding from the levels assumed for purposes of 
subsection (c)(1)(A) (i) and (ii); 
‘‘(2) any elimination or addition of projects; 
and 
‘‘(3) any reduction or increase in benefits to be 
derived from a project. 
‘‘(h) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated for car-
rying out this section shall remain available until ex-
pended. 
‘‘(i) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
supplant the requirement of applicants to compensate Am-
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trak for the use of Amtrak facilities or services pursuant 
to section 24905(c). 
‘‘(j) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘Northeast Corridor’ means the Northeast Corridor 
main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District 
of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor branch lines con-
necting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York, and facilities 
and services used to operate and maintain those lines.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter 244 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘24407. Federal-State partnership for Northeast Corridor rehabilitation and im-
provement.’’. 
SEC. 302. RRIF IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue regulations implementing the amend-
ments made by this section. 
(b) COLLATERAL.—Section 502(h)(2) of the Railroad 
Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 
U.S.C. 822(h)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(2) The Secretary’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘The Secretary may subordi-
nate rights of the Secretary under any provision of 
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title 49 or title 23 of the United States Code, to the 
rights of the Secretary under this section and sec-
tion 503.’’ after ‘‘from another source.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall, for purposes of making a 
finding under subsection (g)(4), accept the net present 
value on a future stream of State or local subsidy income 
or dedicated revenue as collateral offered to secure the 
loan.’’. 
(c) OFFICE
OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET RE-
VIEW.—Section 502(i) of such Act (45 U.S.C. 822(i)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘In order to enable compliance with 
such time limit, the Office of Management and Budget 
shall take any actions required with respect to the applica-
tion within such 90-day period.’’ after ‘‘disapprove the ap-
plication.’’. 
(d) RRIF APPLICATION.—Section 502(i) of such Act 
(45 U.S.C. 822(i)) is further amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘DISAPPROVAL.—Not later than 
90 days after receiving’’ and inserting ‘‘DIS-
APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days 
after an application is determined pursuant to para-
graph (2) to be’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) COMPLETION OF APPLICATION.—The Sec-
retary shall establish procedures for making a deter-
mination, not later than 45 days after submission of 
an application under this section, whether the appli-
cation is complete. Such procedures shall— 
‘‘(A) provide for a checklist of the required 
components of a complete application; 
‘‘(B) require the Secretary to provide to 
the applicant a description of the specific com-
ponents of the application that remain incom-
plete if an application is determined to be in-
complete; and 
‘‘(C) permit reapplication without preju-
dice for applications determined to be incom-
plete. 
‘‘(3) INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ANALYST.—The 
Secretary shall assign an independent financial ana-
lyst within 45 days of submittal of a complete appli-
cation.’’. 
(e) POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL.—Section 502(c)(1) of 
such Act (45 U.S.C. 822(c)(1)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘, including projects for the installation of a positive train 
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control (as defined in section 20157(i) of title 49, United 
States Code) system’’ after ‘‘public safety’’. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Section 502 of such Act 
(45 U.S.C. 822) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(k) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform 
and Investment Act of 2015, and annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the pro-
gram under this section that provides information on loans 
approved and disapproved by the Secretary during the pre-
vious year. Such report shall not disclose the identity of 
direct loan or loan guarantee recipients. The report shall 
describe— 
‘‘(1) the number of pre-application meetings 
with potential applicants; 
‘‘(2) the number of applications received and 
determined complete under subsection (i)(2), includ-
ing the requested loan amounts; 
‘‘(3) the dates of receipt of applications; 
‘‘(4) the dates applications were determined 
complete under subsection (i)(2); 
‘‘(5) the number of applications determined in-
complete under subsection (i)(2); 
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‘‘(6) the final decision dates for both approvals 
and disapprovals of applications; 
‘‘(7) the number of applications withdrawn 
from consideration; and 
‘‘(8) the annual loan portfolio asset quality.’’. 
SEC. 303. NEC FAST FORWARD. 
(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR AUTHORITY.—Section 
502(d) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Re-
form Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 822(d)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘40 percent shall be available solely for projects 
described in subsection (l)(1), and’’ after ‘‘Of this 
amount,’’. 
(b) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR FAST FORWARD PRO-
GRAM.—Section 502 of such Act is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(l) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR FAST FORWARD.— 
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The Secretary, as part of the 
Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing 
program, shall provide direct loans and loan guaran-
tees to eligible entities described in subsection (a) 
for capital projects to improve the Northeast Cor-
ridor (as used in section 24911 of title 49, United 
States Code). 
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‘‘(2) COLLATERAL.—Loans made or guaranteed 
under this subsection shall require collateral equal to 
the loan amount requested. 
‘‘(3) INVESTMENT
GRADE
RATING.—A direct 
loan or loan guarantee shall be made under this sub-
section only if a rating agency has assigned an in-
vestment grade rating of BBB minus, Baa3, bbb 
minus, BBB (low), (or equivalent) or higher to the 
project obligation. For purposes of this paragraph, 
the term ‘rating agency’ means a credit rating agen-
cy registered with the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission as a nationally recognized statistical rating 
organization (as that term is defined in section 3(a) 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
78c(a))). 
‘‘(4) INCLUSION
IN
NEC
PLANNING.—Loans 
and loan guarantees made under this subsection 
shall be for projects that are included in the most 
recent 5-year budget and business plan prepared 
pursuant to section 24911(a) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(5) REFINANCING.—Loans made or guaran-
teed under this subsection shall not be used for the 
refinancing of outstanding debt incurred. 
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