‘‘(3) The Federal Government shall pay the en-
tire cost of carrying out a contract under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(c) ACCESS TO SITES AND RECORDS.—Each recipi-
ent of assistance under this chapter shall provide the Sec-
retary and a contractor the Secretary chooses under sub-
section (c) of this section with access to the construction 
sites and records of the recipient when reasonably necessary. 
‘‘§ 24404. Use of capital grants to finance first-dollar 
liability of grant project 
‘‘Notwithstanding the requirements of section 24402 of 
this chapter, the Secretary of Transportation may approve 
the use of capital assistance under this chapter to fund self- 
insured retention of risk for the first tier of liability insur-
ance coverage for rail passenger service associated with the 
capital assistance grant, but the coverage may not exceed 
$20,000,000 per occurrence or $20,000,000 in aggregate per 
year. 
‘‘§ 24405. Grant conditions 
‘‘(a) DOMESTIC BUYING PREFERENCE.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out a 
project funded in whole or in part with a grant 
under this title, the grant recipient shall pur-
chase only— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(i) unmanufactured articles, material, 
and supplies mined or produced in the 
United States; or 
‘‘(ii) manufactured articles, material, 
and supplies manufactured in the United 
States substantially from articles, material, 
and supplies mined, produced, or manufac-
tured in the United States. 
‘‘(B) DE MINIMIS AMOUNT.—Subparagraph 
(A) applies only to a purchase in an total 
amount that is not less than $1,000,000. 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTIONS.—On application of a recipi-
ent, the Secretary may exempt a recipient from the 
requirements of this subsection if the Secretary de-
cides that, for particular articles, material, or sup-
plies— 
‘‘(A) such requirements are inconsistent 
with the public interest; 
‘‘(B) the cost of imposing the requirements 
is unreasonable; or 
‘‘(C) the articles, material, or supplies, or 
the articles, material, or supplies from which 
they are manufactured, are not mined, produced, 
or manufactured in the United States in suffi-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
cient and reasonably available commercial quan-
tities and are not of a satisfactory quality. 
‘‘(3) UNITED
STATES
DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘the United States’ means the States, 
territories, and possessions of the United States and 
the District of Columbia. 
‘‘(b) OPERATORS DEEMED RAIL CARRIERS AND EM-
PLOYERS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.—A person that con-
ducts rail operations over rail infrastructure constructed or 
improved with funding provided in whole or in part in a 
grant made under this title shall be considered a rail car-
rier as defined in section 10102(5) of this title for purposes 
of this title and any other statute that adopts that defini-
tion or in which that definition applies, including— 
‘‘(1) the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 
U.S.C. 231 et seq.); 
‘‘(2) the Railway Labor Act (43 U.S.C. 151 et 
seq.); and 
‘‘(3) the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act 
(45 U.S.C. 351 et seq.). 
‘‘(c) GRANT CONDITIONS.—The Secretary shall require 
as a condition of making any grant under this title for a 
project that uses rights-of-way owned by a railroad that— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(1) a written agreement exist between the appli-
cant and the railroad regarding such use and owner-
ship, including— 
‘‘(A) any compensation for such use; 
‘‘(B) assurances regarding the adequacy of 
infrastructure capacity to accommodate both ex-
isting and future freight and passenger oper-
ations; 
‘‘(C) an assurance by the railroad that col-
lective bargaining agreements with the railroad’s 
employees (including terms regulating the con-
tracting of work) will remain in full force and 
effect according to their terms for work per-
formed by the railroad on the railroad transpor-
tation corridor; and 
‘‘(D) an assurance that an applicant com-
plies with liability requirements consistent with 
section 28103 of this title; and 
‘‘(2) the applicant agrees to comply with— 
‘‘(A) the standards of section 24312 of this 
title, as such section was in effect on September 
1, 2003, with respect to the project in the same 
manner that the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation is required to comply with those 
standards for construction work financed under 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
an agreement made under section 24308(a) of 
this title; and 
‘‘(B) the protective arrangements established 
under section 504 of the Railroad Revitalization 
and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 
836) with respect to employees affected by ac-
tions taken in connection with the project to be 
financed in whole or in part by grants under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(d) REPLACEMENT
OF EXISTING INTERCITY PAS-
SENGER RAIL SERVICE.— 
‘‘(1) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR 
INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL PROJECTS.—Any entity 
providing intercity passenger railroad transportation 
that begins operations after the date of enactment of 
this Act on a project funded in whole or in part by 
grants made under this title and replaces intercity 
rail passenger service that was provided by Amtrak, 
unless such service was provided solely by Amtrak to 
another entity, as of such date shall enter into an 
agreement with the authorized bargaining agent or 
agents for adversely affected employees of the prede-
cessor provider that— 
‘‘(A) gives each such qualified employee of 
the predecessor provider priority in hiring ac-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
cording to the employee’s seniority on the prede-
cessor provider for each position with the replac-
ing entity that is in the employee’s craft or class 
and is available within 3 years after the termi-
nation of the service being replaced; 
‘‘(B) establishes a procedure for notifying 
such an employee of such positions; 
‘‘(C) establishes a procedure for such an em-
ployee to apply for such positions; and 
‘‘(D) establishes rates of pay, rules, and 
working conditions. 
‘‘(2) IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE.— 
‘‘(A) NEGOTIATIONS.—If the replacement of 
preexisting intercity rail passenger service occurs 
concurrent with or within a reasonable time be-
fore the commencement of the replacing entity’s 
rail passenger service, the replacing entity shall 
give written notice of its plan to replace existing 
rail passenger service to the authorized collective 
bargaining agent or agents for the potentially 
adversely affected employees of the predecessor 
provider at least 90 days before the date on 
which it plans to commence service. Within 5 
days after the date of receipt of such written no-
tice, negotiations between the replacing entity 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
mains, and that person shall serve as the neutral 
arbitrator. Within 45 days after selection of the 
arbitrator, the arbitrator shall conduct a hearing 
on the dispute and shall render a decision with 
respect to the unresolved issues among the mat-
ters set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (D) 
of paragraph (1). This decision shall be final, 
binding, and conclusive upon the parties. The 
salary and expenses of the arbitrator shall be 
borne equally by the parties; all other expenses 
shall be paid by the party incurring them. 
‘‘(3) SERVICE COMMENCEMENT.—A replacing en-
tity under this subsection shall commence service only 
after an agreement is entered into with respect to the 
matters set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
paragraph (1) or the decision of the arbitrator has 
been rendered. 
‘‘(4) SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT OF SERVICE.— 
If the replacement of existing rail passenger service 
takes place within 3 years after the replacing entity 
commences intercity passenger rail service, the replac-
ing entity and the collective bargaining agent or 
agents for the adversely affected employees of the pred-
ecessor provider shall enter into an agreement with 
respect to the matters set forth in subparagraphs (A) 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
through (D) of paragraph (1). If the parties have not 
entered into an agreement with respect to all such 
matters within 60 days after the date on which the 
replacing entity replaces the predecessor provider, the 
parties shall select an arbitrator using the procedures 
set forth in paragraph (2)(B), who shall, within 20 
days after the commencement of the arbitration, con-
duct a hearing and decide all unresolved issues. This 
decision shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon 
the parties. 
‘‘(e) INAPPLICABILITY
TO
CERTAIN
RAIL
OPER-
ATIONS.—Nothing in this section applies to— 
‘‘(1) commuter rail passenger transportation (as 
defined in section 24102(4) of this title) operations of 
a State or local government authority (as those terms 
are defined in section 5302(11) and (6), respectively, 
of this title) eligible to receive financial assistance 
under section 5307 of this title, or to its contractor 
performing services in connection with commuter rail 
passenger operations (as so defined); 
‘‘(2) the Alaska Railroad or its contractors; or 
‘‘(3) the National Railroad Passenger Corpora-
tion’s access rights to railroad rights of way and fa-
cilities under current law.’’. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The chapter analysis 
for subtitle V is amended by inserting the following after 
the item relating to chapter 243: 
‘‘244. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE CORRIDOR CAP-
ITAL ASSISTANCE ......................................................... 24401’’. 
SEC. 302. STATE RAIL PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part B of subtitle V is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 225—STATE RAIL PLANS AND 
HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘22501. Definitions. 
‘‘22502. Authority. 
‘‘22503. Purposes. 
‘‘22504. Transparency; coordination; review. 
‘‘22505. Content. 
‘‘22506. Review. 
‘‘§ 22501. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) PRIVATE BENEFIT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘private ben-
efit’— 
‘‘(i) means a benefit accrued to a per-
son or private entity, other than the Na-
tional Railroad Passenger Corporation, that 
directly improves the economic and com-
petitive condition of that person or entity 
through improved assets, cost reductions, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
service improvements, or any other means 
as defined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) shall be determined on a project- 
by-project basis, based upon an agreement 
between the parties. 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary may 
seek the advice of the States and rail carriers in 
further defining this term. 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC BENEFIT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘public ben-
efit’— 
‘‘(i) means a benefit accrued to the 
public in the form of enhanced mobility of 
people or goods, environmental protection or 
enhancement, congestion mitigation, en-
hanced trade and economic development, 
improved air quality or land use, more effi-
cient energy use, enhanced public safety, re-
duction of public expenditures due to im-
proved transportation efficiency or infra-
structure preservation, and any other posi-
tive community effects as defined by the 
Secretary; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(ii) shall be determined on a project- 
by-project basis, based upon an agreement 
between the parties. 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary may 
seek the advice of the States and rail carriers in 
further defining this term. 
‘‘(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 preparation, maintenance, coordination, and 
administration of the State rail plan. 
‘‘§ 22502. Authority 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each State may prepare and 
maintain a State rail plan in accordance with the provi-
sions of this chapter. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—For the preparation and peri-
odic revision of a State rail plan, a State shall— 
‘‘(1) establish or designate a State rail transpor-
tation authority to prepare, maintain, coordinate, 
and administer the plan; 
‘‘(2) establish or designate a State rail plan ap-
proval authority to approve the plan; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(3) submit the State’s approved plan to the Sec-
retary of Transportation for review; and 
‘‘(4) revise and resubmit a State-approved plan 
no less frequently than once every 5 years for re-
approval by the Secretary. 
‘‘§ 22503. Purposes 
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of a State rail plan 
are as follows: 
‘‘(1) To set forth State policy involving freight 
and passenger rail transportation, including com-
muter rail operations, in the State. 
‘‘(2) To establish the period covered by the State 
rail plan. 
‘‘(3) To present priorities and strategies to en-
hance rail service in the State that benefits the public. 
‘‘(4) To serve as the basis for Federal and State 
rail investments within the State. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION.—A State rail plan shall be co-
ordinated with other State transportation planning goals 
and programs and set forth rail transportation’s role with-
in the State transportation system. 
‘‘§ 22504. Transparency; coordination; review 
‘‘(a) PREPARATION.—A State shall provide adequate 
and reasonable notice and opportunity for comment and 
other input to the public, rail carriers, commuter and tran-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
sit authorities operating in, or affected by rail operations 
within the State, units of local government, and other inter-
ested parties in the preparation and review of its State rail 
plan. 
‘‘(b) INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION.—A State 
shall review the freight and passenger rail service activities 
and initiatives by regional planning agencies, regional 
transportation authorities, and municipalities within the 
State, or in the region in which the State is located, while 
preparing the plan, and shall include any recommendations 
made by such agencies, authorities, and municipalities as 
deemed appropriate by the State. 
‘‘§ 22505. Content 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each State rail plan shall contain 
the following: 
‘‘(1) An inventory of the existing overall rail 
transportation system and rail services and facilities 
within the State and an analysis of the role of rail 
transportation within the State’s surface transpor-
tation system. 
‘‘(2) A review of all rail lines within the State, 
including proposed high-speed rail corridors and sig-
nificant rail line segments not currently in service. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(3) A statement of the State’s passenger rail 
service objectives, including minimum service levels, 
for rail transportation routes in the State. 
‘‘(4) A general analysis of rail’s transportation, 
economic, and environmental impacts in the State, 
including congestion mitigation, trade and economic 
development, air quality, land-use, energy-use, and 
community impacts. 
‘‘(5) A long-range rail investment program for 
current and future freight and passenger infrastruc-
ture in the State that meets the requirements of sub-
section (b). 
‘‘(6) A statement of public financing issues for 
rail projects and service in the State, including a list 
of current and prospective public capital and oper-
ating funding resources, public subsidies, State tax-
ation, and other financial policies relating to rail in-
frastructure development. 
‘‘(7) An identification of rail infrastructure 
issues within the State that reflects consultation with 
all relevant stake holders. 
‘‘(8) A review of major passenger and freight 
intermodal rail connections and facilities within the 
State, including seaports, and prioritized options to 
maximize service integration and efficiency between 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
rail and other modes of transportation within the 
State. 
‘‘(9) A review of publicly funded projects within 
the State to improve rail transportation safety, in-
cluding all major projects funded under section 130 
of title 23. 
‘‘(10) A performance evaluation of passenger rail 
services operating in the State, including possible im-
provements in those services, and a description of 
strategies to achieve those improvements. 
‘‘(11) A compilation of studies and reports on 
high-speed rail corridor development within the State 
not included in a previous plan under this chapter, 
and a plan for funding any recommended develop-
ment of such corridors in the State. 
‘‘(12) A statement that the State is in compli-
ance with the requirements of section 22102. 
‘‘(b) LONG-RANGE SERVICE AND INVESTMENT PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRAM CONTENT.—A long-range rail in-
vestment program included in a State rail plan 
under subsection (a)(5) shall include the following 
matters: 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(A) A list of any rail capital projects ex-
pected to be undertaken or supported in whole or 
in part by the State. 
‘‘(B) A detailed funding plan for those 
projects. 
‘‘(2) PROJECT LIST CONTENT.—The list of rail 
capital projects shall contain— 
‘‘(A) a description of the anticipated public 
and private benefits of each such project; and 
‘‘(B) a statement of the correlation be-
tween— 
‘‘(i) public funding contributions for 
the projects; and 
‘‘(ii) the public benefits. 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROJECT LIST.—In 
preparing the list of freight and intercity passenger 
rail capital projects, a State rail transportation au-
thority should take into consideration the following 
matters: 
‘‘(A) Contributions made by non-Federal 
and non-State sources through user fees, match-
ing funds, or other private capital involvement. 
‘‘(B) Rail capacity and congestion effects. 
‘‘(C) Effects on highway, aviation, and 
maritime capacity, congestion, or safety. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(D) Regional balance. 
‘‘(E) Environmental impact. 
‘‘(F) Economic and employment impacts. 
‘‘(G) Projected ridership and other service 
measures for passenger rail projects. 
‘‘§ 22506. Review 
‘‘The Secretary shall prescribe procedures for States to 
submit State rail plans for review under this title, includ-
ing standardized format and data requirements. State rail 
plans completed before the date of enactment of the Pas-
senger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 that 
substantially meet the requirements of this chapter, as de-
termined by the Secretary, shall be deemed by the Secretary 
to have met the requirements of this chapter.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The chapter analysis 
for subtitle V is amended by inserting the following after 
the item relating to chapter 223: 
‘‘225. STATE RAIL PLANS AND HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS ......... 22501’’. 
SEC. 303. NEXT GENERATION CORRIDOR TRAIN EQUIPMENT 
POOL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall establish a Next Gen-
eration Corridor Equipment Pool Committee, comprised of 
representatives of Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Adminis-
tration, host freight railroad companies, passenger railroad 
equipment manufacturers, and other passenger railroad op-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
erators as appropriate and interested States. The purpose 
of the Committee shall be to design, develop specifications 
for, and procure standardized next-generation corridor 
equipment. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Committee may— 
(1) determine the number of different types of 
equipment required, taking into account variations in 
operational needs and corridor infrastructure; 
(2) establish a pool of equipment to be used on 
corridor routes funded by participating States; and 
(3) subject to agreements between Amtrak and 
States, utilize services provided by Amtrak to design, 
maintain and remanufacture equipment. 
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Amtrak and States 
participating in the Committee may enter into agreements 
for the funding, procurement, remanufacture, ownership 
and management of corridor equipment, including equip-
ment currently owned or leased by Amtrak and next-genera-
tion corridor equipment acquired as a result of the Commit-
tee’s actions, and may establish a corporation, which may 
be owned or jointly owned by Amtrak, participating States 
or other entities, to perform these functions. 
(d) FUNDING.—In addition to the authorization pro-
vided in section 103(2) of this Act, capital projects to carry 
out the purposes of this section shall be eligible for grants 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
made pursuant to chapter 244 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 304. RAIL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTENT.—Chapter 249 is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 24910. Rail cooperative research program 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish and 
carry out a rail cooperative research program. The program 
shall— 
‘‘(1) address, among other matters, intercity rail 
passenger and freight rail services, including existing 
rail passenger and freight technologies and speeds, in-
crementally enhanced rail systems and infrastructure, 
and new high-speed wheel-on-rail systems; 
‘‘(2) address ways to expand the transportation 
of international trade traffic by rail, enhance the effi-
ciency of intermodal interchange at ports and other 
intermodal terminals, and increase capacity and 
availability of rail service for seasonal freight needs; 
‘‘(3) consider research on the interconnectedness 
of commuter rail, passenger rail, freight rail, and 
other rail networks; and 
‘‘(4) give consideration to regional concerns re-
garding rail passenger and freight transportation, in-
cluding meeting research needs common to designated 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
high-speed corridors, long-distance rail services, and 
regional intercity rail corridors, projects, and entities. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—The program to be carried out under 
this section shall include research designed— 
‘‘(1) to identify the unique aspects and attributes 
of rail passenger and freight service; 
‘‘(2) to develop more accurate models for evalu-
ating the impact of rail passenger and freight service, 
including the effects on highway and airport and air-
way congestion, environmental quality, and energy 
consumption; 
‘‘(3) to develop a better understanding of modal 
choice as it affects rail passenger and freight trans-
portation, including development of better models to 
predict utilization; 
‘‘(4) to recommend priorities for technology dem-
onstration and development; 
‘‘(5) to meet additional priorities as determined 
by the advisory board established under subsection 
(c), including any recommendations made by the Na-
tional Research Council; 
‘‘(6) to explore improvements in management, fi-
nancing, and institutional structures; 
‘‘(7) to address rail capacity constraints that af-
fect passenger and freight rail service through a wide 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
variety of options, ranging from operating improve-
ments to dedicated new infrastructure, taking into ac-
count the impact of such options on operations; 
‘‘(8) to improve maintenance, operations, cus-
tomer service, or other aspects of intercity rail pas-
senger and freight service; 
‘‘(9) to recommend objective methodologies for de-
termining intercity passenger rail routes and services, 
including the establishment of new routes, the elimi-
nation of existing routes, and the contraction or ex-
pansion of services or frequencies over such routes; 
‘‘(10) to review the impact of equipment and 
operational safety standards on the further develop-
ment of high-speed passenger rail operations con-
nected to or integrated with non-high-speed freight or 
passenger rail operations; 
‘‘(11) to recommend any legislative or regulatory 
changes necessary to foster further development and 
implementation of high-speed passenger rail oper-
ations while ensuring the safety of such operations 
that are connected to or integrated with non-high- 
speed freight or passenger rail operations; and 
‘‘(12) to review rail crossing safety improve-
ments, including improvements using new safety tech-
nology. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
‘‘(c) ADVISORY BOARD.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—In consultation with the 
heads of appropriate Federal departments and agen-
cies, the Secretary shall establish an advisory board 
to recommend research, technology, and technology 
transfer activities related to rail passenger and freight 
transportation. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The advisory board shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) representatives of State transportation 
agencies; 
‘‘(B) transportation and environmental 
economists, scientists, and engineers; and 
‘‘(C) representatives of Amtrak, the Alaska 
Railroad, freight railroads, transit operating 
agencies, intercity rail passenger agencies, rail-
way labor organizations, and environmental or-
ganizations. 
‘‘(d) NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.—The Sec-
retary may make grants to, and enter into cooperative 
agreements with, the National Academy of Sciences to carry 
out such activities relating to the research, technology, and 
technology transfer activities described in subsection (b) as 
the Secretary deems appropriate.’’. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The chapter analysis for 
chapter 249 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘24910. Rail cooperative research program.’’. 
SEC. 305. PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM COMPARISON STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall complete a study that compares the pas-
senger rail system in the United States with the passenger 
rail systems in Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, 
China, Spain, and Japan. 
(b) ISSUES TO BE STUDIED.—The study conducted 
under subsection (a) shall include a country-by-country 
comparison of— 
(1) the development of high-speed rail; 
(2) passenger rail operating costs; 
(3) the amount and payment source of rail line 
construction and maintenance costs; 
(4) the amount and payment source of station 
construction and maintenance costs; 
(5) passenger rail debt service costs; 
(6) passenger rail labor agreements and associ-
ated costs; 
(7) the net profit realized by the major passenger 
rail service providers in each of the 4 most recent 
quarters; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:30 Jun 05, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6003.RH
H6003
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS