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‘‘(2) a national map with a prioritized designa-
tion of existing and developing markets to be served 
by specific rail routes and services that meet the cri-
teria described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) defined corridor and service categories, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) services to be offered; 
‘‘(B) peak or average speeds to be achieved; 
‘‘(C) frequencies to be offered; and 
‘‘(D) populations to be served; 
‘‘(4) a schedule and strategy for the phased im-
plementation of corridors and services identified in 
the plan; 
‘‘(5) a discussion of benefits and costs of poten-
tial investments in high-speed or intercity passenger 
rail or freight rail that considers all system user and 
public benefits and costs from a network perspective, 
including factors such as potential ridership, travel 
time reductions and improved reliability, benefits of 
enhanced mobility of goods and people, environmental 
benefits, economic development benefits, and other 
public benefits; 
‘‘(6) a strategy for investments in passenger sta-
tions, including investment in intermodal stations 
that are linked to local public transportation, other
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intercity transportation modes, and non-motorized 
transportation options, and that connect residential 
areas, commercial areas, and other nearby transpor-
tation facilities that support intercity passenger rail 
and high-speed rail service, and in freight-related fa-
cilities, that is consistent with other Federal strategy, 
planning, and investment efforts; 
‘‘(7) performance standards for fiscal and oper-
ational performance of new and enhanced high-speed 
and intercity passenger rail services; 
‘‘(8) analysis of the environmental impacts of the 
national rail plan; 
‘‘(9) recommendations for project financing, 
management and implementation for corridor devel-
opment, station development, freight capacity develop-
ment, and similar projects; 
‘‘(10) recommendations for the integration of 
freight and passenger service in a manner that pro-
vides for mutual and complementary growth; 
‘‘(11) a plan for integrating any proposed new 
services with existing services; 
‘‘(12) service design and project execution proto-
cols, including design and construction standards, re-
quirements needed to ensure interoperability, and any 
other protocols the Secretary deems appropriate; and
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‘‘(13) additional factors that the Secretary deems 
relevant. 
‘‘§ 22702. Regional rail plans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) develop a regional rail plan for each region, 
except the Northeast Corridor, that contains a de-
tailed plan for implementing the national rail plan, 
including any plans for public investment in projects 
that contribute to efficient movement and increased 
capacity for freight by— 
‘‘(A) regional rail authorities, as defined by 
the Secretary; or 
‘‘(B) any 2 or more States that have entered 
into interstate compacts, agreements, or organi-
zations for the purpose of developing such plans; 
and 
‘‘(2) in developing each regional rail plan, co-
ordinate with— 
‘‘(A) States; 
‘‘(B) local communities; 
‘‘(C) railroad infrastructure owners; 
‘‘(D) regional air quality planning agen-
cies; 
‘‘(E) Amtrak; 
‘‘(F) passenger rail service operators;
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‘‘(G) freight railroad operators; 
‘‘(H) metropolitan planning organizations; 
‘‘(I) governing authorities for transit sys-
tems or airports; 
‘‘(J) tribal governments; 
‘‘(K) the general public, including low-in-
come and minority populations, people with dis-
abilities, and older Americans; and 
‘‘(L) non-profit labor employee organiza-
tions. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of a regional rail plan 
shall be to refine and advance the implementation of the 
national rail plan under section 22701. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—A regional rail plan shall include— 
‘‘(1) a map— 
‘‘(A) that indicates detailed alignment al-
ternatives for any new corridor identified in the 
national rail plan under section 22701; and 
‘‘(B) that identifies the location of each po-
tential new station; 
‘‘(2) a phasing plan for developing or upgrading 
specific segments of the regional network; 
‘‘(3) the identification of any environmental im-
pact analyses required under the National Environ-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or 
other laws (including regulations); 
‘‘(4) a full capital cost estimate for developing 
the regional network; 
‘‘(5) an analysis of operating financial forecasts; 
‘‘(6) a benefit-cost analysis for the regional net-
work that considers both user and public benefits and 
the costs from a network perspective, including factors 
such as ridership projections, travel time reductions, 
enhanced mobility benefits, environmental benefits, 
economic benefits, and other public benefits; 
‘‘(7) an analysis of potential land use policies 
and strategies for areas near high-speed and intercity 
passenger rail stations; 
‘‘(8) potential non-Federal funding sources, in-
cluding a detailed consideration of anticipated pri-
vate sector participation; 
‘‘(9) a proposal for the institutional and govern-
ance structures that will be necessary to develop the 
regional network; 
‘‘(10) other project implementation consider-
ations, including an analysis of the readiness of spe-
cific corridors to proceed for development; 
‘‘(11) an examination of multi-modal connec-
tions that considers the most cost-effective means for
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achieving the region’s transportation goals and objec-
tives; 
‘‘(12) identification of plans for cost-effective, 
public investment in intercity passenger rail projects 
that contribute toward the efficient movement and in-
creased capacity for freight rail operations; 
‘‘(13) a list of capital projects needed to imple-
ment a region’s portion of the national rail plan; 
‘‘(14) a plan for coordinating service and capital 
projects with adjacent regions; 
‘‘(15) a plan for crossing international borders, 
as appropriate; 
‘‘(16) a plan for integrating any proposed new 
services with existing service; and 
‘‘(17) a description of how the regional rail plan 
refines and advances the implementation of the na-
tional rail plan. 
‘‘(d) UPDATES.—Not later than 1 year after the publi-
cation of the national rail plan under section 22701 and 
periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall update each re-
gional rail plan— 
‘‘(1) to reflect any material changes to the con-
tents under subsection (c); and 
‘‘(2) to include any changes made to the national 
rail plan under section 22701.
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‘‘(e) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive a content re-
quirement under subsection (c) as necessary to accommo-
date a unique characteristic or situation in a region. 
‘‘§ 22703. State rail plans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A State may prepare and main-
tain a State rail plan. A State rail plan shall— 
‘‘(1) be consistent with the national rail plan 
under section 22701; 
‘‘(2) be consistent with the regional rail plans 
under section 22702; 
‘‘(3) coordinate with other State transportation 
planning goals and programs, including the statewide 
transportation plans under section 135 of title 23, 
and 
‘‘(4) set forth rail transportation’s role within 
the State’s transportation system. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of a State rail plan 
shall be to refine and advance the implementation of the 
national rail plan and relevant regional rail plan under 
sections 22701 and 22702. 
‘‘(c) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of a State rail plan 
shall be— 
‘‘(1) to set forth the State’s policy on freight and 
intercity passenger rail transportation, including 
commuter rail operations, within the State;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(2) to establish the time period covered by the 
State rail plan; 
‘‘(3) to present the priorities and strategies to 
enhance rail service within the State that benefits the 
public; and 
‘‘(4) to serve as the basis for Federal and State 
rail investments within the State. 
‘‘(d) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish minimum requirements, consistent with sec-
tions 22701 and 22702, for the preparation and peri-
odic revision of a State rail plan, including— 
‘‘(A) the establishment or designation of a 
State rail transportation authority to prepare, 
maintain, coordinate, and administer the State 
rail plan; 
‘‘(B) the establishment or designation of a 
State approval authority to approve the State 
rail plan; 
‘‘(C) the submission of the State’s approved 
State rail plan to the Secretary for review and 
approval; and 
‘‘(D) the revision and resubmittal of a 
State-approved State rail plan for review and
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† HR 4348 EAS 
approval by the Secretary not less than once 
every 5 years. 
‘‘(2) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall prescribe 
procedures for a State to submit a State rail plan for 
review and approval, including standardized format 
and data requirements. 
‘‘(3) COMPLIANCE.—The Secretary shall deem a 
State rail plan to be in compliance with this chapter 
if the State rail plan— 
‘‘(A) is completed before the date of enact-
ment of the National Rail System Preservation, 
Expansion, and Development Act of 2012; and 
‘‘(B) substantially meets the requirements of 
chapter 227 as in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of the National Rail System 
Preservation, Expansion, and Development Act 
of 2012. 
‘‘(4) UPDATES.—A State rail plan that is 
deemed in compliance under paragraph (3) shall be 
updated not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of the National Rail System Preservation, Ex-
pansion, and Development Act of 2012. 
‘‘(e) CONTENTS.—A State rail plan shall include—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(1) an inventory of the existing overall rail 
transportation system and rail services and facilities 
within the State; 
‘‘(2) an analysis of the role of rail transpor-
tation within the State’s surface transportation sys-
tem; 
‘‘(3) a review of all rail lines within the State, 
including any proposed high-speed rail corridors and 
significant rail line segments not currently in service; 
‘‘(4) a statement of the State’s passenger rail 
service objectives, including minimum service levels, 
for rail transportation routes within the State; 
‘‘(5) a general analysis of rail’s transportation, 
economic, and environmental impacts within the 
State, including congestion mitigation, trade and eco-
nomic development, air quality, land-use, energy-use, 
and community impacts; 
‘‘(6) a long-range rail service and investment 
program for current and future freight and intercity 
passenger infrastructure within the State that meets 
the requirements under subsection (f); 
‘‘(7) a statement of the public financing issues 
for rail projects or service within the State, including 
a list of current and prospective public capital and 
operating funding resources, public subsidies, State
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† HR 4348 EAS 
taxation, and other financial policies relating to rail 
infrastructure development; 
‘‘(8) the identification of rail infrastructure 
issues within the State, after consulting with relevant 
stakeholders; 
‘‘(9) a review of major passenger and freight 
intermodal rail connections and facilities within the 
State, including seaports; 
‘‘(10) a list of prioritized options to maximize 
service integration and efficiency between rail and 
other modes of transportation within the State; 
‘‘(11) a review of publicly funded projects within 
the State to improve rail transportation safety and 
security, including major projects funded under sec-
tion 130 of title 23; 
‘‘(12) a performance evaluation of passenger rail 
services operating in the State, including possible im-
provements to those services and a description of 
strategies to achieve the improvements; 
‘‘(13) a compilation of studies and reports on 
high-speed rail corridor development within the State 
that were not included in a prior plan under this 
chapter;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(14) a plan for funding any recommended de-
velopment of a high-speed rail corridor within the 
State; and 
‘‘(15) a statement that the State is in compliance 
with the requirements of section 22102. 
‘‘(f) LONG-RANGE RAIL SERVICE AND INVESTMENT 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) CONTENTS.—A long-range rail service and 
investment program under subsection (e)(6) shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) a prioritized list of any freight or 
intercity passenger rail capital projects expected 
to be commenced or supported in whole or in 
part by the State; and 
‘‘(B) a detailed capital and operating fund-
ing plan for each rail capital project under sub-
paragraph (A). 
‘‘(2) RAIL CAPITAL PROJECTS LIST.— 
‘‘(A) CONTENTS.—A list of rail capital 
projects under paragraph (1)(A) shall include— 
‘‘(i) a description of the anticipated 
public and private benefits of each rail cap-
ital project; and 
‘‘(ii) a statement of the correlation be-
tween—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(I) public funding contributions 
for each rail capital project; and 
‘‘(II) the public benefits. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—A State rail trans-
portation authority shall consider, when pre-
paring a list of rail capital projects under this 
subsection— 
‘‘(i) contributions made by non-Fed-
eral and non-State sources through user 
fees, matching funds, or other private cap-
ital involvement; 
‘‘(ii) rail capacity and congestion ef-
fects; 
‘‘(iii) effects on highway, aviation, and 
maritime capacity, congestion, and safety; 
‘‘(iv) regional balance; 
‘‘(v) environmental impact; 
‘‘(vi) economic and employment im-
pacts; and 
‘‘(vii) projected ridership and other 
service measures for passenger rail projects. 
‘‘(g) A State shall not be eligible to receive financial 
assistance under chapter 244 or 261 unless the State com-
pletes a State rail plan pursuant to this section.
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† HR 4348 EAS 
which the State is located) when preparing a State 
rail plan; and 
‘‘(2) include any recommendations made by the 
regional planning agencies, regional transportation 
authorities, and municipalities (within the State or 
within the region in which the State is located), as 
deemed appropriate by the State. 
‘‘§ 22705. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) PRIVATE BENEFIT.—The term ‘private ben-
efit’ means a benefit— 
‘‘(A) that is determined on a project-by- 
project basis, based upon an agreement between 
the parties; 
‘‘(B) that is accrued to a person or private 
entity, other than Amtrak, that directly improves 
the economic and competitive condition of the 
person or private entity through improved assets, 
cost reductions, service improvements, or other 
means as defined by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(C) that is defined by the Secretary, with 
advice from the States and rail carriers if the 
Secretary deems such advice necessary. 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC BENEFIT.—The term ‘public benefit’ 
means a benefit—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(A) that is determined on a project-by- 
project basis, based upon an agreement between 
the parties; 
‘‘(B) that is accrued to the public, including 
Amtrak, in the form of enhanced mobility of peo-
ple or goods, environmental protection or en-
hancement, 
congestion 
mitigation, 
enhanced 
trade and economic development, improved air 
quality or land use, more efficient energy use, 
enhanced public safety or security, reduction of 
public expenditures due to improved transpor-
tation efficiency or infrastructure preservation, 
and any other positive community effects as de-
fined by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(C) that is defined by the Secretary, with 
advice from the States and rail carriers if the 
Secretary deems such advice necessary. 
‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means any of the 
50 States and the District of Columbia. 
‘‘(4) STATE
RAIL
TRANSPORTATION
AUTHOR-
ITY.—The term ‘State rail transportation authority’ 
means the State agency or official responsible under 
the direction of the Governor of the State or a State 
law for the preparation, maintenance, coordination, 
and administration of the State rail plan.’’.
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SEC. 35102. IMPROVED DATA ON DELAY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination 
with Amtrak, freight railroads, and other parties, as appro-
priate, shall develop guidance for developing improved, in-
cluding automated, means of measuring on-time perform-
ance delays. 
SEC. 35103. DATA AND MODELING. 
(a) DATA.—Not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
conduct a data needs assessment, in consultation with the 
Surface Transportation Board, Amtrak, freight railroads, 
and State and local governments, to support the develop-
ment of an efficient and effective intercity passenger rail 
network. The data needs assessment shall, among other 
things— 
(1) identify the data needed to conduct cost-effec-
tive modeling and analysis for high-speed and inter-
city passenger rail development programs; 
(2) determine limitations to the data used for in-
puts and develop a strategy to address the limita-
tions; 
(3) identify barriers to accessing existing data; 
(4) include recommendations regarding whether 
the authorization of additional data collection for 
intercity passenger rail travel is warranted; and
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(5) determine which entities will be responsible 
for generating or collecting needed data. 
(b) MODELING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall develop or improve modeling capabilities to support 
the development of an efficient and effective intercity pas-
senger rail network, including service development, capac-
ity expansion, cost-effectiveness, and ridership estimates. 
(c) BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall enhance the usefulness of assessments 
of benefits and costs, for both intercity passenger rail and 
freight rail projects by— 
(1) providing ongoing guidance and training on 
developing benefit and cost information for rail 
projects; 
(2) providing more direct and consistent require-
ments for assessing benefits and costs across transpor-
tation funding programs, including the appropriate 
use of discount rates; 
(3) requiring an applicant to clearly commu-
nicate the methodology that is used to calculate the 
project benefits and costs, including information on 
assumptions underlying calculations, strengths and
1324 
† HR 4348 EAS 
limitations of data used, and the level of uncertainty 
in estimates of project benefits and costs; and 
(4) ensuring that an applicant receives clear and 
consistent guidance on values to apply for key as-
sumptions used to estimate potential project benefits 
and costs. 
(d) CONFIDENTIAL DATA.—For the purposes of this 
section, the Secretary of Transportation shall protect any 
confidential data from public disclosure and such confiden-
tial data shall only be provided on the basis of a voluntary 
agreement. 
SEC. 35104. SHARED-USE CORRIDOR STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
a shared-use corridor study, in consultation with the Sur-
face Transportation Board, Amtrak, freight railroads, 
States, non-profit employee labor organizations, and other 
users of the rail system, as appropriate, to evaluate the best 
means to enhance and support the further development of 
high-speed and intercity passenger rail service within 
United States shared-use corridors. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the shared-use corridor 
study, the Secretary shall— 
(1) survey the access arrangements for high-speed 
and intercity passenger rail service for use of rail in-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
frastructure, assets and facilities owned by freight 
railroads, commuter authorities, or other entities, and 
standard processes for the resolution of disputes relat-
ing to such access; 
(2) evaluate the roles and responsibilities of high- 
speed and intercity passenger rail, freight rail, and 
commuter rail service providers and infrastructure 
owners in complying with Federal, State, and local 
applicable requirements within United States shared- 
use corridors; 
(3) evaluate the roles and responsibilities of Fed-
eral, State, and local governments, infrastructure 
owners, and high speed and intercity passenger rail, 
freight rail, and commuter rail service providers in 
supporting both the preservation and expansion of 
high-speed and intercity passenger rail service, freight 
transportation, and commuter transportation on 
shared infrastructure or rights-of-way; 
(4) evaluate the roles and responsibilities of high- 
speed and intercity passenger rail, freight rail, and 
commuter rail service providers in achieving satisfac-
tory on time performance for passenger and freight 
rail services in shared use corridors; and 
(5) evaluate other issues identified by the Sec-
retary.
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
the shared-use corridor study is completed under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) report the results of the shared-use corridor 
study to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; 
and 
(2) make the shared-use corridor study available 
to the public on the Department of Transportation’s 
website. 
SEC. 35105. COOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT POOL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Next Generation Corridor 
Equipment Pool Committee established under section 305 
of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) shall continue to implement 
its authorized functions, as appropriate, and shall main-
tain and update, as needed, the specifications created by 
the Committee. 
(b) EQUIPMENT POOLING ENTITY.—Section 305 of the 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 
(49 U.S.C. 24101 note), is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(f) EQUIPMENT POOLING ENTITY.—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
The operation and utilization of any equipment 
transferred to the equipment pooling entity shall be 
covered by section 24405(b). 
‘‘(4) TRANSFER REQUIREMENT.—A State shall 
sell, lease, or otherwise transfer equipment built in ac-
cordance with the specifications created by the Next 
Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee and 
purchased with Federal funds to the equipment pool-
ing entity unless the Secretary exempts a State from 
this requirement. 
‘‘(g) GRANT FUNDING.—A capital project to carry out 
this section shall be eligible for grants under chapter 244. 
The equipment pooling entity shall be an eligible grant re-
cipient under chapter 244.’’. 
SEC. 35106. PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT AND PLAN-
NING. 
Section 101(d) of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 4908) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘1⁄2 of’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘and joint capital planning’’ 
after ‘‘oversight’’. 
SEC. 35107. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 244.—Chapter 244 is 
amended—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(1) in section 24401(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ the first place it ap-
pears; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘service.’’ and inserting 
‘‘service, or Amtrak.’’; 
(2) by amending section 24402(b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) PROJECT AS PART OF THE NATIONAL RAIL PLAN, 
REGIONAL RAIL PLANS, OR STATE RAIL PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) GRANT APPROVAL.—The Secretary may not 
approve a grant for a project under this section unless 
the Secretary finds that— 
‘‘(A) the project is part of the national rail 
plan, a regional rail plan, or a State rail plan 
under chapter 227; or 
‘‘(B) the project is part of the capital spend-
ing plan under section 211 of the Passenger Rail 
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 
U.S.C. 24902 note); and 
‘‘(C) the applicant or recipient has or will 
have directly or through appropriate agreements 
with other entities, as approved by the Sec-
retary— 
‘‘(i) the legal, financial, and technical 
capacity to carry out the project;
1331 
† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(ii) satisfactory continuing control 
over the use of the equipment or facilities; 
and 
‘‘(iii) the capability and willingness to 
maintain the equipment or facilities. 
‘‘(2) PROVISION
OF
INFORMATION.—An appli-
cant or recipient shall provide sufficient information 
for the Secretary to make the required findings under 
this subsection. 
‘‘(3) JUSTIFICATION.—An applicant or recipient, 
except for Amtrak, that did not select the proposed op-
erator of its service competitively shall provide writ-
ten justification to the Secretary substantiating— 
‘‘(A) why the proposed operator is the best, 
taking into account price and other factors; and 
‘‘(B) that the use of the proposed operator 
will not unnecessarily increase the cost of the 
project.’’; 
(3) in section 24402(c)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1)(A) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(1) that the project be part of the national rail 
plan, a regional rail plan, or a State rail plan under 
chapter 227, or the capital spending plan under sec-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
tion 211 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Im-
provement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24902 note);’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting ‘‘, ex-
cept for Amtrak,’’ after ‘‘an applicant’’; 
(C) by amending paragraph (1)(F) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(F) that each project be compatible with 
and operate in conformance with plans developed 
pursuant to the requirements of section 135 of 
title 23, United States Code;’’; 
(D) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking 
‘‘and’’; 
(E) in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), by striking 
the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) achieve the appropriate mix of projects se-
lected for funding to ensure the advancement of the 
national rail plan, including both the development of 
new or expanded routes and services and the mainte-
nance and improvement of the current rail system.’’; 
(4) by amending section 24402(d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) STATE RAIL PLANS.—State rail plans completed 
before the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Invest-
ment and Improvement Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 4907) that
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† HR 4348 EAS 
substantially meet the requirements of chapter 227 as in 
effect on the day before the date of enactment of the National 
Rail System Preservation, Expansion, and Development 
Act of 2012, shall be deemed by the Secretary to have met 
the requirements of subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section.’’; 
(5) by amending section 24402(e) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(e) PROJECT TRANSFERS.—The Secretary may per-
mit a recipient under this section to enter into a cooperative 
agreement to transfer the grant and related responsibilities 
and requirements to Amtrak to expedite, enhance, or other-
wise facilitate the completion of the project and any such 
transfer shall be subject to the requirements of this chap-
ter.’’; 
(6) in the heading of section 24402(f), by strik-
ing ‘‘AND EARLY SYSTEMS WORK AGREEMENTS’’; 
(7) by amending section 24402(f)(1) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) In implementing this section, the Secretary 
may issue a letter of intent to an applicant announc-
ing an intention to obligate, for a major capital 
project under this section, an amount from future 
available budget authority specified in law that is not 
more than the amount stipulated as the financial 
participation of the Secretary in the project.’’;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(8) in section 24402(g) by— 
(A) amending paragraph (1)(B) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(B) A grant— 
‘‘(i) for a project designated as part of 
a priority corridor or service by the na-
tional rail plan and scheduled within the 
national rail plan to be implemented with-
in a time frame consistent with the grant 
application shall not exceed 80 percent of 
the project net capital cost; 
‘‘(ii) for a project to implement a per-
formance improvement plan under section 
24710 shall not exceed 100 percent of the 
net project capital cost; and 
‘‘(iii) for any other project shall not 
exceed 50 percent of the net project capital 
cost.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) When Amtrak is an applicant under this 
chapter, it may use ticket and other revenues gen-
erated from its operations and other sources to satisfy 
the non-Federal share requirements under this sub-
section, except that Amtrak may not use Federal 
funds authorized under subsections (a) or (c) of sec-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
tion 101 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Im-
provement Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 4908).’’; 
(9) in section 24402(h), by striking ‘‘2’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘3’’; 
(10) in section 24402(i)(1), by striking ‘‘A met-
ropolitan planning organization, State transportation 
department, or other project sponsor’’ and inserting 
‘‘An applicant’’; 
(11) by amending section 24402(k) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(k) SMALL CAPITAL PROJECTS.—The Secretary shall 
make not less than 5 percent annually available from the 
amounts appropriated under section 24406 beginning in 
fiscal year 2009 for grants for capital projects eligible under 
this section not exceeding $10,000,000, including costs eligi-
ble under section 209(d) of the Passenger Rail Investment 
and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note). For 
grants awarded under this subsection, the Secretary may 
waive one or more of the requirements of this section, in-
cluding State rail plan requirements, or of section 
24405(c)(1)(B), as appropriate.’’; 
(12) by amending section 24403(b) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(b) SECRETARIAL OVERSIGHT AND PARTICIPATION.—
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‘‘(1) The Secretary may use not more than 1 
percent of amounts made available in a fiscal year 
for capital projects under this chapter to participate 
in the planning, management, and oversight of the 
development and implementation of any such projects. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may use amounts available 
under paragraph (1) to directly undertake or make 
contracts for project planning and design participa-
tion or safety, procurement, management, and finan-
cial compliance reviews and audits of a recipient of 
grants awarded under this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The Federal Government shall pay the en-
tire cost of carrying out a contract under this sub-
section.’’; and 
(13) in section 24405 by adding ‘‘or between 
Amtrak and the railroad’’ after ‘‘railroad’’ in sub-
section (c)(1). 
(b) CHAPTER 244 GRANT PROCEDURES.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final rule estab-
lishing grant procedures, as required by section 24402(a) 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(c) AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 261.—Chapter 261 is 
amended— 
(1) in section 26106—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(A) by amending subsection (a) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish and implement a high-speed rail corridor 
program consistent with the national rail plan, regional 
rail plans, and State rail plans required by chapter 227 
of title 49, United States Code.’’; 
(B) by amending subsection (b)(2) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) CORRIDOR.—The term ‘corridor’ means— 
‘‘(A) a corridor designated by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 104(d)(2) of title 23; or 
‘‘(B) a corridor expected to achieve high- 
speed service pursuant to section 22701 of title 
49.’’; 
(C) in subsection (e)(2)(A)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘, di-
rectly or through appropriate agreements 
with other entities,’’ after ‘‘have’’; 
(ii) in clause (v), by inserting ‘‘, except 
for Amtrak,’’ after ‘‘applicant’’; 
(iii) in clause (vi), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(iv) in clause (vii)(II), by striking ‘‘(if 
it is available)’’; and
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(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(viii) that the project and the high- 
speed rail services it supports are coordi-
nated and integrated with existing and 
planned conventional intercity passenger 
rail services; 
‘‘(ix) that the Secretary, and Amtrak 
at the Secretary’s request, are permitted to 
participate in the planning, design, man-
agement, and delivery of the project, as nec-
essary to ensure project success and promote 
interstate commerce; and 
‘‘(x) that the Federal government is ac-
corded an appropriate participation, over-
sight, ownership, or control in the project 
commensurate with the level of Federal in-
vestment as determined by the Secretary;’’; 
and 
(D) in subsection (e)(4), by striking ‘‘pursu-
ant to section 22506 of this title’’. 
(d) CONGESTION GRANTS.—Section 24105 is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘in cooperation with 
States’’ and ‘‘high priority rail corridor’’;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(B) by striking ‘‘congestion’’ and inserting 
‘‘freight or commuter railroad congestion that 
impacts intercity passenger trains, enhance route 
performance, preserve service,’’; and 
(C) by striking the period and inserting ‘‘on 
routes defined under section 24102(5)(C).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or the Federal Railroad 
Administration’’ after ‘‘Amtrak’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘congestion’’ and inserting 
‘‘freight or commuter railroad congestion that 
impacts intercity passenger trains, enhance route 
performance, preserve service,’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a pe-
riod; and 
(D) by striking paragraph (3); 
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘80’’ and in-
serting ‘‘100’’; and 
(4) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘, except that 
the Secretary may waive the requirements of section 
24405(c)(1)(B), as appropriate, for grants totaling 
less than $10,000,000’’ after ‘‘title’’. 
(e) ADDITIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECTS.—The 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 
(122 Stat. 4907) is amended by striking section 502.
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SEC. 35108. LIABILITY. 
(a) CLARIFICATION OF COMMUTER RAIL LIABILITY.— 
Section 28103 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting, ‘‘, includ-
ing commuter rail passengers,’’ after ‘‘rail pas-
sengers,’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.—A provider of rail 
passenger transportation may enter into contracts that allo-
cate financial responsibility for claims. Such contracts shall 
be enforceable notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
common law, or public policy, or the nature of the conduct 
giving rise to the damages or liability.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (2); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (3) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) the term ‘rail passenger transportation’ in-
cludes commuter rail transportation.’’. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall conduct a study regarding op-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
tions for clarifying and improving passenger rail li-
ability requirements and arrangements, including 
those related to environmental liability, necessary for 
supporting the continued development and improve-
ment of the national passenger rail system and the 
furtherance of the national rail plan under chapter 
227 of title 49, United States Code. The study shall 
consider— 
(A) whether to expand statutory liability 
limits to third parties; and 
(B) whether to revise the current statutory 
liability limits based on inflation or other meth-
ods to improve the certainty of liability coverage. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of completion of the study, the Secretary shall 
submit the results of the study and any associated 
recommendations to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 35109. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation.
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(2) SMALL
BUSINESS
CONCERN.—The term 
‘‘small business concern’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 632), except the term does not include any 
concern or group of concerns that— 
(A) are controlled by the same socially and 
economically disadvantaged individual or indi-
viduals; and 
(B) have average annual gross receipts over 
the preceding 3 fiscal years in excess of 
$22,410,000, as adjusted annually by the Sec-
retary for inflation. 
(3) SOCIALLY
AND
ECONOMICALLY
DISADVAN-
TAGED INDIVIDUALS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.— 
(i) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVID-
UALS.—The term ‘‘socially disadvantaged 
individuals’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 8(a)(5)of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(5)), and relevant 
subcontracting regulations issued pursuant 
to that Act. 
(ii) ECONOMICALLY
DISADVANTAGED 
INDIVIDUALS.—The term ‘‘economically dis-
advantaged individuals’’ has the meaning
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† HR 4348 EAS 
given the term in section 8(a)(6) of the 
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(6)), 
and relevant subcontracting regulations 
issued pursuant to that Act. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, women shall be presumed to be socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Except to the extent that the Sec-
retary determines otherwise, not less than 10 percent of the 
amounts made available for any program under chapter 
244, section 24105, or section 26106 of title 49, United 
States Code, shall be expended through a small business con-
cern owned and controlled by 1 or more socially and eco-
nomically disadvantaged individuals. 
(c) ANNUAL LISTING
OF DISADVANTAGED SMALL 
BUSINESS CONCERNS.—Each State shall annually— 
(1) survey each small business concern in the 
State; 
(2) compile a list of all of the small business con-
cerns in the State, including the location of each 
small business concern in the State; and 
(3) notify the Secretary, in writing, of the per-
centage of the small business concerns that— 
(A) are controlled by women;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(B) are controlled by socially and economi-
cally disadvantaged individuals (except for 
women); and 
(C) are controlled by individuals who are 
women and who are socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals. 
(d) UNIFORM CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish minimum uniform criteria for State governments 
to use in certifying whether a small business concern quali-
fies under this section. The minimum uniform criteria shall 
include— 
(1) an on-site visit; 
(2) a personal interview; 
(3) a license; 
(4) an analysis of stock ownership; 
(5) an analysis of bonding capacity; 
(6) the listing of equipment; 
(7) the listing of work completed; and 
(8) a resume of each principal owner, the finan-
cial capacity, and the type of work preferred. 
(e) REPORTING.—The Secretary shall establish min-
imum requirements for State governments to use in report-
ing to the Secretary information concerning disadvantaged 
business enterprise awards, commitments, and achieve-
ments, and such other information as the Secretary deter-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
mines appropriate for the proper monitoring of the dis-
advantaged business enterprise program. 
(f) COMPLIANCE WITH COURT ORDERS.—Nothing in 
this section shall limit the eligibility of a person to receive 
funds made available under chapter 244, section 24105, or 
section 26106 of title 49, United States Code, if the person 
is prevented, in whole or in part, from complying with sub-
section (b) because a Federal court issues a final order in 
which the court finds that the requirement of subsection (b) 
or the program established under subsection (b) is unconsti-
tutional. 
SEC. 35110. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in consulta-
tion with the States, local governments, Amtrak, freight 
railroad, and non-profit employee labor organizations— 
(1) complete a study regarding workforce devel-
opment needs in the passenger and freight rail indus-
try, including what knowledge and skill gaps in plan-
ning, financing, engineering, and operating passenger 
and freight rail systems exist, to assist in creating 
programs to help improve the rail industry; 
(2) make recommendations based on the results 
of the study; and
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(3) report the findings and recommendations to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives. 
SEC. 35111. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) conduct a study to evaluate the best means 
for providing a preference to veterans in the award-
ing of contracts and subcontracts using amounts 
made available under chapter 244, and sections 24105 
and 26104 of title 49, United States Code; 
(2) make recommendations based on the results 
of the study; and 
(3) report the findings and recommendations to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives. 
Subtitle B—Amtrak 
SEC. 35201. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES. 
(a) GRANT AVAILABILITY.—In addition to the uses 
permitted under section 209(d) of the Passenger Rail In-
vestment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101
1347 
† HR 4348 EAS 
note), a State may use funds provided under section 24406 
of title 49, United States Code, to temporarily pay Amtrak 
some or all of the operating costs for services identified 
under section 24102(5)(D) of title 49, United States Code, 
determined under the methodology established pursuant to 
section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improve-
ment Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note), that exceed— 
(1) the operating costs (adjusted for inflation) 
that the State paid Amtrak for the same services in 
the year prior to the implementation of section 209 
of that Act; or 
(2) if the services were not fully State-supported 
in that year, the full cost the State would have paid 
Amtrak under the State-supported service costing 
methodology then in effect. 
(b) TRANSITION ASSISTANCE GUIDANCE.—Not later 
than 180 days after the Surface Transportation Board de-
termines the appropriate methodology pursuant to section 
209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act 
of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note), the Secretary shall develop 
a transition assistance guidance that includes— 
(1) criteria for phasing-out the temporary oper-
ating assistance under this section not later than Oc-
tober 1, 2017; 
(2) a grant application process that permits—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
(A) States to apply for such funds individ-
ually or collectively; and 
(B) Amtrak to be considered the grant re-
cipient of such funds upon an agreement between 
a State or States and Amtrak; and 
(3) policies governing financial terms, repay-
ment conditions, and other terms of financial assist-
ance. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for Federal transition 
assistance, an intercity passenger rail service shall provide 
high-speed or intercity passenger rail revenue operation on 
routes that are subject to section 209 of the Passenger Rail 
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 
note). 
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of grants 
under this paragraph for eligible costs may be up to 100 
percent of the total costs under subsection (a). 
SEC. 35202. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OP-
ERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION IMPROVEMENTS.—Sec-
tion 24905 is amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows:
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘SEC. 24905. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE 
AND OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION 
IMPROVEMENTS.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(g); 
(3) by striking subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and 
(f) and inserting before subsection (g), as redesig-
nated, the following: 
‘‘(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a Northeast Corridor Infrastruc-
ture and Operations Advisory Commission (referred 
to in this section as the ‘Commission’) to foster the 
creation and implementation of a unified, regional, 
long-term investment strategy for the Northeast Cor-
ridor and to promote mutual cooperation and plan-
ning pertaining to the capital investment, rail oper-
ations and related activities of the Northeast Cor-
ridor. The Commission shall be made up of— 
‘‘(A) members representing Amtrak; 
‘‘(B) members representing the Department 
of Transportation, including the Federal Rail-
road Administration and the Office of the Sec-
retary;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(C) 1 member from each of the States (in-
cluding the District of Columbia) that constitute 
the Northeast Corridor as defined in section 
24102, designated by, and serving at the pleasure 
of, the chief executive officer thereof; and 
‘‘(D) non-voting representatives of freight 
railroad carriers using the Northeast Corridor 
selected by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the membership belonging to any of the groups 
enumerated under paragraph (1) shall not constitute 
a majority of the Commission’s memberships. 
‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) establish a schedule and location for 
convening meetings; 
‘‘(B) meet not less than 4 times per fiscal 
year; and 
‘‘(C) develop rules and procedures to govern 
the Commission’s proceedings. 
‘‘(4) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
‘‘(5) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Members shall serve 
without pay but shall receive travel expenses, includ-
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† HR 4348 EAS 
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance 
with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5. 
‘‘(6) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall be elected by the members. 
‘‘(7) PERSONNEL.—The Commission may ap-
point and fix the pay of such personnel as the Com-
mission considers appropriate. 
‘‘(8) DETAILEES.—Upon request of the Commis-
sion, the head of any department or agency of the 
United States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, 
any of the personnel of that department or agency to 
the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties 
under this section. 
‘‘(9) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—Upon the re-
quest of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a 
reimbursable basis, the administrative support serv-
ices necessary for the Commission to carry out its re-
sponsibilities under this section. 
‘‘(10) CONSULTATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES.— 
The Commission shall consult with other entities as 
appropriate. 
‘‘(b) STATEMENT
OF
GOALS
AND
RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(1) STATEMENT OF GOALS.—The Commission 
shall develop a statement of goals concerning the fu-
ture of Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure and op-
erations based on achieving expanded and improved 
intercity, commuter, and freight rail services oper-
ating with greater safety and reliability, reduced 
travel times, increased frequencies, and enhanced 
intermodal connections designed to address airport 
and highway congestion, reduce transportation energy 
consumption, improve air quality, and increase eco-
nomic development of the Northeast Corridor region. 
‘‘(2) 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
Commission 
shall develop recommendations based on the statement 
of goals developed under this section addressing, as 
appropriate— 
‘‘(A) short-term and long-term capital in-
vestment needs beyond those specified in the 
state-of-good-repair plan under section 211 of the 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act 
of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24902 note); 
‘‘(B) future funding requirements for cap-
ital improvements and maintenance; 
‘‘(C) operational improvements of intercity 
passenger rail, commuter rail, and freight rail 
services;
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† HR 4348 EAS 
‘‘(D) opportunities for additional non-rail 
uses of the Northeast Corridor; 
‘‘(E) scheduling and dispatching; 
‘‘(F) safety and security enhancements; 
‘‘(G) equipment design; 
‘‘(H) marketing of rail services; 
‘‘(I) future capacity requirements; and 
‘‘(J) potential funding and financing mech-
anisms for projects of corridor-wide significance. 
‘‘(c) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR HIGH SPEED AND INTER-
CITY SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) LONG-RANGE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR SERV-
ICE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.—The Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration, in coordination with the Commission, 
Amtrak, the States, and other corridor users, shall 
complete a long-range Northeast Corridor Service De-
velopment Plan not later than December 31, 2014. 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION.—The 
parties comprising the Commission, acting separately 
and collectively, shall collaborate and cooperate to the 
maximum extent permitted by law in— 
‘‘(A) the preparation of the service develop-
ment plan; 
‘‘(B) the programmatic environmental re-
view process; and
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‘‘(F) improvement programs and service 
initiatives planned by corridor owners and 
users; 
‘‘(G) relevant local, State, and Federal 
transportation plans; and 
‘‘(H) other plans, as appropriate. 
‘‘(2) STRATEGY COMPONENTS.—The comprehen-
sive long-range strategy shall include— 
‘‘(A) a comprehensive program containing a 
description and the planned phasing of all 
Northeast Corridor improvement programs, in-
vestments, and other anticipated changes; 
‘‘(B) the impacts of the comprehensive pro-
gram on: 
‘‘(i) highway and aviation congestion; 
‘‘(ii) economic development; 
‘‘(iii) job creation; and 
‘‘(iv) the environment; 
‘‘(C) the potential financing sources for the 
comprehensive 
program, 
including 
Federal, 
State, local, and private sector sources; 
‘‘(D) new institutional or other structures 
necessary to implement the comprehensive pro-
gram;
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‘‘(E) the types of collaboration, participa-
tion, arrangements, and support between Amtrak 
and the Federal Government, the State and local 
governments in the Northeast Corridor, the com-
muter rail authorities and freight railroads that 
utilize the Northeast Corridor, the private sector, 
and others, as appropriate, that are necessary to 
achieve the comprehensive program; and 
‘‘(F) any regulatory or statutory changes 
necessary to efficiently advance the comprehen-
sive program. 
‘‘(e) ACCESS COSTS.— 
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT
OF
STANDARDIZED
FOR-
MULA.—Not later than September 30, 2013, the Com-
mission shall— 
‘‘(A) develop a standardized formula for de-
termining and allocating costs, revenues, and 
compensation for Northeast Corridor commuter 
rail passenger transportation (as defined in sec-
tion 24102) on the Northeast Corridor main line 
between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, 
District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor 
branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsyl-
vania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten 
Duyvil, New York, that use Amtrak facilities or
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† HR 4348 EAS 
services or that provide such facilities or services 
to Amtrak that ensures that— 
‘‘(i) there is no cross-subsidization of 
commuter rail passenger, intercity rail pas-
senger, or freight rail transportation; 
‘‘(ii) each service is assigned the costs 
incurred only for the benefit of that service, 
and a proportionate share, based upon fac-
tors that reasonably reflect relative use, of 
costs incurred for the common benefit of 
more than 1 service; and 
‘‘(iii) all financial contributions made 
by an operator of a service that benefit an 
infrastructure owner other than the operator 
are considered, including any capital infra-
structure investments and in-kind services; 
‘‘(B) develop a proposed timetable for im-
plementing the formula not later than December 
31, 2014; 
‘‘(C) transmit the proposed timetable to the 
Surface Transportation Board; and 
‘‘(D) at the request of a Commission mem-
ber, petition the Surface Transportation Board 
to appoint a mediator to assist the Commission
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† HR 4348 EAS 
members through non-binding mediation to 
reach an agreement under this section. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Amtrak and public au-
thorities providing commuter rail passenger transpor-
tation on the Northeast Corridor shall implement new 
agreements for usage of facilities or services based on 
the standardized formula under paragraph (1) in ac-
cordance with the timetable established therein. If the 
entities fail to implement the new agreements in ac-
cordance with the timetable, the Commission shall pe-
tition the Surface Transportation Board to determine 
the appropriate compensation amounts for such serv-
ices under section 24904(c). The Surface Transpor-
tation Board shall enforce its determination on the 
party or parties involved. 
‘‘(3) REVISIONS.—The Commission may make 
necessary revisions to the standardized formula devel-
oped under paragraph (1), including revisions based 
on Amtrak’s financial accounting system developed 
under section 203 of the Passenger Rail Investment 
and Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 
note). 
‘‘(f) TRANSMISSION OF STATEMENT OF GOALS, REC-
OMMENDATIONS, 
AND
PLANS.—The Commission shall 
transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
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† HR 4348 EAS 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives— 
‘‘(1) not later than 60 days after the date of en-
actment of the National Rail System Preservation, 
Expansion, and Development Act of 2012, the state-
ment of goals under subsection (b); 
‘‘(2) annually beginning on December 31, 2012, 
the recommendations under subsection (b)(2) and the 
standardized formula and timetable under subsection 
(e)(1); and 
‘‘(3) the comprehensive long-range strategy under 
this section.’’.; and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (g), as redesig-
nated, the following 
‘‘(h) REPORT ON NORTHEAST CORRIDOR ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT.—Not later than September 30, 2013, the 
Commission shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives on the role of Amtrak’s Northeast 
Corridor service between Washington, District of Columbia, 
and Boston, Massachusetts, in the economic development of 
the Northeast Corridor region. The report shall examine
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† HR 4348 EAS 
how to enhance the utilization of the Northeast Corridor for 
greater economic development, including— 
‘‘(1) improving real estate utilization; 
‘‘(2) improved intercity, commuter, and freight 
services; and 
‘‘(3) improving optimum utility utilization. 
‘‘(i) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR SAFETY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
a Northeast Corridor Safety Committee composed of 
members appointed by the Secretary. The members 
shall be representatives of— 
‘‘(A) the Department of Transportation, in-
cluding the Federal Railroad Administration; 
‘‘(B) Amtrak; 
‘‘(C) freight carriers operating more than 
150,000 train miles a year on the main line of 
the Northeast Corridor; 
‘‘(D) commuter rail agencies; 
‘‘(E) rail passengers; 
‘‘(F) rail labor; and 
‘‘(G) other individuals and organizations 
the Secretary decides have a significant interest 
in rail safety or security. 
‘‘(2) FUNCTION; MEETINGS.—The Secretary shall 
consult with the Committee about safety and security