I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4534 
To amend the interstate Compact governing the Washington Metropolitan 
Area Transit Authority, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 4, 2017 
Mrs. COMSTOCK introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the interstate Compact governing the Washington 
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 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. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Metro Efficiency, 
Transparency, Reliability, Oversight, Accountability and 
Reform Act’’ or the ‘‘METRO Accountability and Reform 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:52 Dec 09, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4534.IH
H4534
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(1) ACADEMY.—The term ‘‘Academy’’ means 
the National Academy of Public Adminstration. 
(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the House Committees on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Gov-
ernment Reform, the Judiciary, and Appropria-
tions; and 
(B) the Senate Committees on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation; Banking, Hous-
ing, and Urban Development; the Judiciary; 
and Appropriations. 
(3) AUTHORITY.—The term ‘‘Authority’’ means 
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Author-
ity established under article III of the compact 
(Public Law 89–774; 80 Stat. 1324). 
(4) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the 
Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan 
Area Transit Authority. 
(5) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Metro Reform Commission. 
(6) COMPACT.—The term ‘‘Compact’’ means 
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Author-
ity Compact. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:52 Dec 09, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4534.IH
H4534
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(7) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Wash-
ington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 
(8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(9) SIGNATORY.—The term ‘‘Signatory’’ means 
the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia, or the District of Columbia. 
(10) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ includes the 
District of Columbia. 
(11) WMATA.—The term ‘‘WMATA’’ means 
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Author-
ity. 
(12) WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRAN-
SIT
ZONE.—The term ‘‘Washington Metropolitan 
Area Transit Zone’’ means the zone created by and 
described in section 3 of the Compact, as well as any 
additional area that may be added pursuant to sec-
tion 83(a) of such Compact. 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit 
Authority is the public transit system of the Wash-
ington metropolitan area and is essential for the 
continued and effective performance of the functions 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:52 Dec 09, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4534.IH
H4534
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
of the Federal Government, and for the orderly 
movement of people during major events and times 
of regional or national emergency. 
(2) WMATA, through Metrorail and Metrobus, 
serve a population of 4 million within a 1,500 
square-mile area. 
(3) Thirty-five Metrorail stations serve Federal 
facilities and 40 percent of Metrorail’s peak period 
commuters are Federal employees. 
(4) The governments of Virginia, Maryland, 
and the District of Columbia, as well as the Federal 
Government, have invested substantially in WMATA, 
which 
operates 
and 
maintains 
approximately 
$40,000,000,000 in physical assets. 
(5) In addition to regional commuters and local 
residents, WMATA serves millions of individuals 
from around the world visiting Washington for busi-
ness or tourism. 
(6) It is a vital interest of the Federal Govern-
ment to support WMATA and work constructively 
with Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Colum-
bia to ensure the long-term viability of ‘‘America’s 
Subway’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:52 Dec 09, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4534.IH
H4534
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
TITLE I—METRO REFORM 
BOARD 
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF PRIIA. 
Section 601(f) of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432; 126 
Stat. 4968) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) AMOUNT.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Transportation for grants 
under this section $150,000,000 for each fiscal year end-
ing in fiscal year 2029.’’. 
SEC. 102. METRO REFORM BOARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—At a time determined by the Sec-
retary pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Signatories, and subject the criteria in 
section 103, shall issue language to amend the Compact 
to establish a Metro Reform Board and transmit such lan-
guage to the Signatories, the funding jurisdictions, and 
the appropriate congressional committees. The Secretary 
shall not release any funds authorized under section 101 
until the Secretary certifies that the Signatories have en-
acted such language. 
(b) DETERMINATION OF PROGRESS, TIMELINE FOR 
ISSUANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall monitor the progress 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:52 Dec 09, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4534.IH
H4534
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS