I
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 841
To provide an equitable process for strengthening the passenger rail service
network of Amtrak through the timely closure and realignment of routes
with low economic performance.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 6, 1995
Mr. WOLF (for himself, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. ARMEY, Mr. DELAY, Mr.
PACKARD, Mr. FOX, Mr. ENGLISH, and Mr. HORN) introduced the follow-
ing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and, in addition, to the Committee on Rules, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
A BILL
To provide an equitable process for strengthening the pas-
senger rail service network of Amtrak through the timely
closure and realignment of routes with low economic
performance.
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 ‘‘Amtrak Route Closure
and Realignment Act of 1995’’.
SEC. 2. THE COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an inde-
pendent commission to be known as the ‘‘Total Realign-
ment of Amtrak Commission’’ (in this Act referred to as
the ‘‘Commission’’).
(b) APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of eleven members as follows:
(1) Three individuals appointed by the Presi-
dent, including—
(A) the Secretary of Transportation;
(B) one representative of a rail labor
union; and
(C) one representative of a rail manage-
ment.
(2) Four individuals who collectively have ex-
pertise in rail finance, economic analysis, legal is-
sues, and other relevant areas, to be appointed by
the Majority Leader of the Senate, in consultation
with the Minority Leader.
(3) Four individuals who collectively have ex-
pertise in rail finance, economic analysis, legal is-
sues, and other relevant areas, to be appointed by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the Minority Leader.
Appointments under this subsection shall be made within
15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Indi-
viduals appointed under paragraphs (2) and (3) shall not
be employees of the Department of Transportation or rep-
resentatives of a rail labor union or rail management.
(c) CHAIRMAN.—Within 10 days after the 15-day pe-
riod described in subsection (b), or the appointment of the
last member of the Commission under such subsection,
whichever occurs first, a majority of the members of the
Commission may elect a chairman from among its mem-
bership. If a chairman is not elected within such 10-day
period, the President shall select a chairman for the Com-
mission from among its membership.
(d) MEETINGS.—(1) Each meeting of the Commis-
sion shall be open to the public.
(2) All the proceedings, information, and delibera-
tions of the Commission shall be open or available, upon
request, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate, and to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives.
(e) PAY
AND TRAVEL EXPENSES.—(1)(A) Each
member, other than the Chairman, shall be paid at a rate
equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate
of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each
day (including travel time) during which the member is
engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the
Commission.
(B) The Chairman shall be paid for each day referred
to in subparagraph (A) at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay payable for
level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of
title 5, United States Code.
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), of-
ficers and employees of the Federal Government shall not
be paid under this paragraph for service on the Commis-
sion.
(2) Members shall receive travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(f) DIRECTOR OF STAFF.—The Commission shall ap-
point a Director, who shall be paid at the rate of basic
pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(g) STAFF.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Direc-
tor, with the approval of the Commission, may appoint
and fix the pay of not more than 5 additional employees.
(2) The Director may make such appointments with-
out regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service, and
any personnel so appointed may be paid without regard
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chap-
ter 53 of that title relating to classification and General
Schedule pay rates, except that an individual so appointed
may not receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic
pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(h) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to
witnesses appearing before it.
(i) INFORMATION.—The Commission may secure di-
rectly from any department or agency of the United States
information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act.
Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, the
head of that department or agency shall furnish that infor-
mation to the Commission to the extent otherwise per-
mitted by law.
(j) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
States.