HR 6003 PCS 
SEC. 3. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Amendment of title 49, United States Code. 
Sec. 3. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorization for Amtrak capital and operating expenses and State 
capital grants. 
Sec. 102. Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases. 
Sec. 103. Other authorizations. 
Sec. 104. Tunnel project. 
Sec. 105. Compliance with Immigration and Nationality Act. 
Sec. 106. Authorization for capital and preventive maintenance projects for 
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 
TITLE II—AMTRAK REFORM AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS 
Sec. 201. National railroad passenger transportation system defined. 
Sec. 202. Amtrak Board of Directors. 
Sec. 203. Establishment of improved financial accounting system. 
Sec. 204. Development of 5-year financial plan. 
Sec. 205. Establishment of grant process. 
Sec. 206. State-supported routes. 
Sec. 207. Metrics and standards. 
Sec. 208. Northeast Corridor state-of-good-repair plan. 
Sec. 209. Northeast Corridor infrastructure and operations improvements. 
Sec. 210. Restructuring long-term debt and capital leases. 
Sec. 211. Study of compliance requirements at existing intercity rail stations. 
Sec. 212. Oversight of Amtrak’s compliance with accessibility requirements. 
Sec. 213. Access to Amtrak equipment and services. 
Sec. 214. General Amtrak provisions. 
Sec. 215. Amtrak management accountability. 
Sec. 216. Passenger rail study. 
Sec. 217. Congestion grants. 
Sec. 218. Plan for restoration of service. 
Sec. 219. Locomotive biofuel study. 
Sec. 220. Study of the use of biobased lubricants. 
Sec. 221. Applicability of Buy American Act. 
Sec. 222. Intercity passenger rail service performance. 
Sec. 223. Amtrak Inspector General utilization study. 
Sec. 224. Amtrak service preference study. 
Sec. 225. Historic preservation and railroad safety. 
Sec. 226. Commuter rail expansion. 
Sec. 227. Service evaluation. 
TITLE III—INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL POLICY 
Sec. 301. Capital assistance for intercity passenger rail service; State rail plans. 
Sec. 302. State rail plans. 
Sec. 303. Next generation corridor train equipment pool. 
Sec. 304. Rail cooperative research program. 
Sec. 305. Passenger rail system comparison study. 
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TITLE IV—COMMUTER RAIL TRANSIT ENHANCEMENT 
Sec. 401. Commuter rail transit enhancement. 
Sec. 402. Routing efficiency discussions with Amtrak. 
TITLE V—HIGH-SPEED RAIL 
Sec. 501. High-speed rail corridor program. 
Sec. 502. Additional high-speed projects. 
Sec. 503. High-speed rail study. 
Sec. 504. Grant conditions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION FOR AMTRAK CAPITAL AND OP-
ERATING EXPENSES AND STATE CAPITAL 
GRANTS. 
(a) OPERATING GRANTS.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the 
use of Amtrak for operating costs the following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2009, $525,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2010, $600,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2011, $614,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2012, $638,000,000. 
(5) For fiscal year 2013, $654,000,000. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Out of the amounts au-
thorized under subsection (a), there are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the 
Office of the Inspector General of Amtrak the following 
amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2009, $20,368,900. 
(2) For fiscal year 2010, $22,586,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2011, $24,337,000. 
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(4) For fiscal year 2012, $26,236,000. 
(5) For fiscal year 2013, $28,287,000. 
(c) ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
AND BARRIER 
REMOVAL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Trans-
portation for the use of Amtrak to improve the accessi-
bility of facilities, including rail platforms, and services the 
following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2009, $68,500,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2010, $240,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2011, $240,000,000. 
(4) For fiscal year 2012, $240,000,000. 
(5) For fiscal year 2013, $240,000,000. 
(d) CAPITAL GRANTS.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the 
use of Amtrak for capital projects (as defined in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of section 24401(2) of title 49, United 
States Code) to bring the Northeast Corridor (as defined 
in section 24102(a)) to a state-of-good-repair, for capital 
expenses of the national rail passenger transportation sys-
tem, and for purposes of making capital grants under sec-
tion 24402 of that title to States, the following amounts: 
(1) For fiscal year 2009, $1,202,000,000. 
(2) For fiscal year 2010, $1,321,000,000. 
(3) For fiscal year 2011, $1,321,000,000. 
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(4) For fiscal year 2012, $1,427,000,000. 
(5) For fiscal year 2013, $1,427,000,000. 
(e) AMOUNTS
FOR STATE GRANTS.—Out of the 
amounts authorized under subsection (d), the following 
percentage shall be available each fiscal year for capital 
grants to States under section 24402 of title 49, United 
States Code, to be administered by the Secretary of Trans-
portation: 
(1) 41.60 percent for fiscal year 2009. 
(2) 38 percent for fiscal year 2010. 
(3) 38 percent for fiscal year 2011. 
(4) 35 percent for fiscal year 2012. 
(5) 35 percent for fiscal year 2013. 
(f) PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.—The Sec-
retary may withhold up to 1⁄2 of 1 percent of amounts 
appropriated pursuant to subsection (d) for the costs of 
project management oversight of capital projects carried 
out by Amtrak. 
SEC. 102. REPAYMENT OF LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL 
LEASES. 
(a) AMTRAK
PRINCIPAL
AND
INTEREST
PAY-
MENTS.— 
(1) PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON DEBT SERV-
ICE.—There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Transportation for the use of Am-
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trak for retirement of principal and payment of in-
terest on loans for capital equipment, or capital 
leases, not more than the following amounts: 
(A) For fiscal year 2009, $345,000,000. 
(B) For fiscal year 2010, $345,000,000. 
(C) For fiscal year 2011, $345,000,000. 
(D) For fiscal year 2012, $345,000,000. 
(E) For fiscal year 2013, $345,000,000. 
(2) EARLY
BUYOUT
OPTION.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation such sums as may be necessary for 
the use of Amtrak for the payment of costs associ-
ated with early buyout options if the exercise of 
those options is determined to be advantageous to 
Amtrak. 
(3) LEGAL EFFECT OF PAYMENTS UNDER THIS 
SECTION.—The payment of principal and interest on 
secured debt, with the proceeds of grants authorized 
by this section shall not— 
(A) modify the extent or nature of any in-
debtedness of the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation to the United States in existence of 
the date of enactment of this Act; 
(B) change the private nature of Amtrak’s 
or its successors’ liabilities; or 
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(C) imply any Federal guarantee or com-
mitment to amortize Amtrak’s outstanding in-
debtedness. 
SEC. 103. OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Transportation— 
(1) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through 2013 to carry out the rail cooperative re-
search program under section 24910 of title 49, 
United States Code; and 
(2) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain 
available until expended, for grants to Amtrak and 
States participating in the Next Generation Corridor 
Train Equipment Pool Committee established under 
section 303 of this Act for the purpose of designing, 
developing specifications for, and initiating the pro-
curement of an initial order of 1 or more types of 
standardized next-generation corridor train equip-
ment and establishing a jointly owned corporation to 
manage that equipment. 
SEC. 104. TUNNEL PROJECT. 
(a) NEW
TUNNEL
ALIGNMENT
AND
ENVIRON-
MENTAL REVIEW.—Not later than September 30, 2013, 
the Federal Railroad Administration, working with Am-
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trak, the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, and rail 
operators described in subsection (b), shall— 
(1) approve a new rail tunnel alignment in Bal-
timore that will permit an increase in train speed 
and service reliability; and 
(2) ensure completion of the related environ-
mental review process. 
(b) AFFECTED RAIL OPERATORS.—Rail operators 
other than Amtrak may participate in activities described 
in subsection (a) to the extent that they can demonstrate 
the intention and ability to contribute to the construction 
of the new tunnel. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Railroad 
Administration for carrying out this section $60,000,000 
for the period encompassing fiscal years 2009 through 
2013. 
SEC. 105. COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION AND NATION-
ALITY ACT. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, none 
of the funds authorized by this Act may be used to employ 
workers in violation of section 274A of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a). 
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SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION FOR CAPITAL AND PREVENTIVE 
MAINTENANCE PROJECTS FOR WASHINGTON 
METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to the succeeding 
provisions of this section, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation is authorized to make grants to the Transit 
Authority, in addition to the contributions author-
ized under sections 3, 14, and 17 of the National 
Capital Transportation Act of 1969 (sec. 9–1101.01 
et seq., D.C. Official Code), for the purpose of fi-
nancing in part the capital and preventive mainte-
nance projects included in the Capital Improvement 
Program approved by the Board of Directors of the 
Transit Authority. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(A) the term ‘‘Transit Authority’’ means 
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Au-
thority established under Article III of the 
Compact; and 
(B) the term ‘‘Compact’’ means the Wash-
ington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 
Compact (80 Stat. 1324; Public Law 89–774). 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—The Federal grants made pur-
suant to the authorization under this section shall be sub-
ject to the following limitations and conditions: 
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(1) The work for which such Federal grants are 
authorized shall be subject to the provisions of the 
Compact (consistent with the amendments to the 
Compact described in subsection (d)). 
(2) Each such Federal grant shall be for 50 
percent of the net project cost of the project in-
volved, and shall be provided in cash from sources 
other than Federal funds or revenues from the oper-
ation of public mass transportation systems. Con-
sistent with the terms of the amendment to the 
Compact described in subsection (d)(1), any funds 
so provided shall be solely from undistributed cash 
surpluses, replacement or depreciation funds or re-
serves available in cash, or new capital. 
(3) Such Federal grants may be used only for 
the maintenance and upkeep of the systems of the 
Transit Authority as of the date of the enactment of 
this Act and may not be used to increase the mile-
age of the rail system. 
(c) APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR MASS 
TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL PROJECTS RECEIVING FUNDS 
UNDER FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION LAW.—Except as 
specifically provided in this section, the use of any 
amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under 
this section shall be subject to the requirements applicable 
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to capital projects for which funds are provided under 
chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, except to the 
extent that the Secretary of Transportation determines 
that the requirements are inconsistent with the purposes 
of this section. 
(d) AMENDMENTS TO COMPACT.—No amounts may 
be provided to the Transit Authority pursuant to the au-
thorization under this section until the Transit Authority 
notifies the Secretary of Transportation that each of the 
following amendments to the Compact (and any further 
amendments which may be required to implement such 
amendments) have taken effect: 
(1)(A) An amendment requiring that all pay-
ments by the local signatory governments for the 
Transit Authority for the purpose of matching any 
Federal funds appropriated in any given year au-
thorized under subsection (a) for the cost of oper-
ating and maintaining the adopted regional system 
are made from amounts derived from dedicated 
funding sources. 
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
‘‘dedicated funding source’’ means any source of 
funding which is earmarked or required under State 
or local law to be used to match Federal appropria-
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tions authorized under this Act for payments to the 
Transit Authority. 
(2) An amendment establishing an Office of the 
Inspector General of the Transit Authority. 
(3) An amendment expanding the Board of Di-
rectors of the Transit Authority to include 4 addi-
tional Directors appointed by the Administrator of 
General Services, of whom 2 shall be nonvoting and 
2 shall be voting, and requiring one of the voting 
members so appointed to be a regular passenger and 
customer of the bus or rail service of the Transit 
Authority. 
(e) ACCESS TO WIRELESS SERVICE IN METRORAIL 
SYSTEM.— 
(1) REQUIRING TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO PRO-
VIDE
ACCESS
TO
SERVICE.—No amounts may be 
provided to the Transit Authority pursuant to the 
authorization under this section unless the Transit 
Authority ensures that customers of the rail service 
of the Transit Authority have access within the rail 
system to services provided by any licensed wireless 
provider that notifies the Transit Authority (in ac-
cordance with such procedures as the Transit Au-
thority may adopt) of its intent to offer service to 
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the public, in accordance with the following time-
table: 
(A) Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, in the 20 under-
ground rail station platforms with the highest 
volume of passenger traffic. 
(B) Not later than 4 years after such date, 
throughout the rail system. 
(2) ACCESS OF WIRELESS PROVIDERS TO SYS-
TEM
FOR
UPGRADES
AND
MAINTENANCE.—No 
amounts may be provided to the Transit Authority 
pursuant to the authorization under this section un-
less the Transit Authority ensures that each licensed 
wireless provider who provides service to the public 
within the rail system pursuant to paragraph (1) has 
access to the system on an ongoing basis (subject to 
such restrictions as the Transit Authority may im-
pose to ensure that such access will not unduly im-
pact rail operations or threaten the safety of cus-
tomers or employees of the rail system) to carry out 
emergency repairs, routine maintenance, and up-
grades to the service. 
(3) PERMITTING REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY 
CHARGES.—Nothing in this subsection may be con-
strued to prohibit the Transit Authority from requir-
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ing a licensed wireless provider to pay reasonable 
and customary charges for access granted under this 
subsection. 
(4) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and each of the 
3 years thereafter, the Transit Authority shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs of the Senate a report on the implementation 
of this subsection. 
(5) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘licensed wireless provider’’ means any provider of 
wireless services who is operating pursuant to a Fed-
eral license to offer such services to the public for 
profit. 
(f) AMOUNT.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Transportation for grants 
under this section an aggregate amount not to exceed 
$1,500,000,000 to be available in increments over 10 fis-
cal years beginning in fiscal year 2009, or until expended. 
(g) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 
to the authorization under this section shall remain avail-
able until expended. 
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TITLE II—AMTRAK REFORM AND 
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER TRANSPOR-
TATION SYSTEM DEFINED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 24102 is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and 
(5) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) as so re-
designated the following: 
‘‘(5) ‘national rail passenger transportation sys-
tem’ means— 
‘‘(A) the segment of the Northeast Cor-
ridor between Boston, Massachusetts and 
Washington, DC; 
‘‘(B) rail corridors that have been des-
ignated by the Secretary of Transportation as 
high-speed corridors (other than corridors de-
scribed in subparagraph (A)), but only after 
they have been improved to permit operation of 
high-speed service; 
‘‘(C) long distance routes of more than 
750 miles between endpoints operated by Am-
trak as of the date of enactment of the Pas-
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senger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008; and 
‘‘(D) short-distance corridors, or routes of 
not more than 750 miles between endpoints, op-
erated by— 
‘‘(i) Amtrak; or 
‘‘(ii) another rail carrier that receives 
funds under chapter 244.’’. 
(b) AMTRAK ROUTES WITH STATE FUNDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 247 is amended by 
inserting after section 24701 the following: 
‘‘§ 24702. Transportation requested by States, au-
thorities, and other persons 
‘‘(a) CONTRACTS
FOR TRANSPORTATION.—Amtrak 
may enter into a contract with a State, a regional or local 
authority, or another person for Amtrak to operate an 
intercity rail service or route not included in the national 
rail passenger transportation system upon such terms as 
the parties thereto may agree. 
‘‘(b) DISCONTINUANCE.—Upon termination of a con-
tract entered into under this section, or the cessation of 
financial support under such a contract by either party, 
Amtrak may discontinue such service or route, notwith-
standing any other provision of law.’’. 
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(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The chapter 
analysis for chapter 247 is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 24701 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘24702. Transportation requested by States, authorities, and other persons.’’. 
(c) AMTRAK TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE NON-HIGH- 
SPEED SERVICES.—Nothing in this Act is intended to pre-
clude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing 
non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service. 
(d) APPLICABILITY
OF SECTION 24706.—Section 
24706 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) APPLICABILITY.—This section applies to all 
service over routes provided by Amtrak, notwithstanding 
any provision of section 24701 of this title or any other 
provision of this title except section 24702(b).’’. 
SEC. 202. AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 24302 is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘§ 24302. Board of Directors 
‘‘(a) COMPOSITION AND TERMS.— 
‘‘(1) The Board of Directors of Amtrak is com-
posed of the following 10 directors, each of whom 
must be a citizen of the United States: 
‘‘(A) The Secretary of Transportation. 
‘‘(B) The President of Amtrak, who shall 
serve ex officio, as a non-voting member. 
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‘‘(4) The Board shall elect a chairman and a 
vice chairman from among its membership. The vice 
chairman shall serve as chairman in the absence of 
the chairman. 
‘‘(5) The Secretary may be represented at 
board meetings by the Secretary’s designee. 
‘‘(b) PAY AND EXPENSES.—Each director not em-
ployed by the United States Government is entitled to 
$300 a day when performing Board duties. Each Director 
is entitled to reimbursement for necessary travel, reason-
able secretarial and professional staff support, and sub-
sistence expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. 
‘‘(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Board is filled 
in the same way as the original selection, except that an 
individual appointed by the President of the United States 
under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section to fill a vacancy 
occurring before the end of the term for which the prede-
cessor of that individual was appointed is appointed for 
the remainder of that term. A vacancy required to be filled 
by appointment under subsection (a)(1)(C) must be filled 
not later than 120 days after the vacancy occurs. 
‘‘(d) QUORUM.—A majority of the members serving 
shall constitute a quorum for doing business. 
‘‘(e) BYLAWS.—The Board may adopt and amend by-
laws governing the operation of Amtrak. The bylaws shall 
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be consistent with this part and the articles of incorpora-
tion.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE
DATE
FOR
DIRECTORS’ PROVI-
SION.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take 
effect 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
The members of the Amtrak Board serving on the date 
of enactment of this Act may continue to serve for the 
remainder of the term to which they were appointed. 
SEC. 203. ESTABLISHMENT OF IMPROVED FINANCIAL AC-
COUNTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Amtrak Board of Directors— 
(1) may employ an independent financial con-
sultant with experience in railroad accounting to as-
sist Amtrak in improving Amtrak’s financial ac-
counting and reporting system and practices; 
(2) shall implement a modern financial account-
ing and reporting system not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(3) shall, not later than 90 days after the end 
of each fiscal year through fiscal year 2013— 
(A) submit to Congress a comprehensive 
report that allocates all of Amtrak’s revenues 
and costs to each of its routes, each of its lines 
of business, and each major activity within each 
route and line of business activity, including— 
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(i) train operations; 
(ii) equipment maintenance; 
(iii) food service; 
(iv) sleeping cars; 
(v) ticketing; and 
(vi) reservations; 
(B) include the report described in sub-
paragraph (A) in Amtrak’s annual report; and 
(C) post such report on Amtrak’s website. 
(b) VERIFICATION OF SYSTEM; REPORT.—The In-
spector General of the Department of Transportation shall 
review the accounting system designed and implemented 
under subsection (a) to ensure that it accomplishes the 
purposes for which it is intended. The Inspector General 
shall report his findings and conclusions, together with 
any recommendations, to the House of Representatives 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation. 
(c) CATEGORIZATION
OF
REVENUES
AND
EX-
PENSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Amtrak Board of Directors shall separately 
categorize routes, assigned revenues, and attrib-
utable expenses by type of service, including long 
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distance routes, State-sponsored routes, commuter 
contract routes, and Northeast Corridor routes. 
(2) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.—Amtrak revenues 
generated by freight and commuter railroads oper-
ating on the Northeast Corridor shall be separately 
listed to include the charges per car mile assessed by 
Amtrak to other freight and commuter railroad enti-
ties. 
(3) FIXED OVERHEAD EXPENSES.—Fixed over-
head expenses that are not directly assigned or at-
tributed to any route (or group of routes) shall be 
listed separately by line item and expense category. 
SEC. 204. DEVELOPMENT OF 5-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF 5-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN.— 
The Amtrak Board of Directors shall submit an annual 
budget and business plan for Amtrak, and a 5-year finan-
cial plan for the fiscal year to which that budget and busi-
ness plan relate and the subsequent 4 years, prepared in 
accordance with this section, to the Secretary of Transpor-
tation and the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation no later than— 
(1) the first day of each fiscal year beginning 
after the date of enactment of this Act; or 
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(2) the date that is 60 days after the date of 
enactment of an appropriation Act for the fiscal 
year, if later. 
(b) CONTENTS OF 5-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN.—The 
5-year financial plan for Amtrak shall include, at a min-
imum— 
(1) all projected revenues and expenditures for 
Amtrak, including governmental funding sources; 
(2) projected ridership levels for all Amtrak 
passenger operations; 
(3) revenue and expenditure forecasts for non- 
passenger operations; 
(4) capital funding requirements and expendi-
tures necessary to maintain passenger service which 
will accommodate predicted ridership levels and pre-
dicted sources of capital funding; 
(5) operational funding needs, if any, to main-
tain current and projected levels of passenger serv-
ice, including state-supported routes and predicted 
funding sources; 
(6) projected capital and operating require-
ments, ridership, and revenue for any new passenger 
service operations or service expansions; 
(7) an assessment of the continuing financial 
stability of Amtrak, such as Amtrak’s ability to effi-
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ciently manage its workforce, and Amtrak’s ability 
to effectively provide passenger train service; 
(8) estimates of long-term and short-term debt 
and associated principal and interest payments (both 
current and anticipated); 
(9) annual cash flow forecasts; 
(10) a statement describing methods of esti-
mation and significant assumptions; 
(11) specific measures that demonstrate meas-
urable improvement year over year in the financial 
results of Amtrak’s operations; 
(12) prior fiscal year and projected operating 
ratio, cash operating loss, and cash operating loss 
per passenger on a route, business line, and cor-
porate basis; 
(13) prior fiscal year and projected specific 
costs and savings estimates resulting from reform 
initiatives; 
(14) prior fiscal year and projected labor pro-
ductivity statistics on a route, business line, and cor-
porate basis; and 
(15) prior fiscal year and projected equipment 
reliability statistics. 
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(c) STANDARDS
TO
PROMOTE
FINANCIAL
STA-
BILITY.—In meeting the requirements of subsection (b), 
Amtrak shall— 
(1) apply sound budgetary practices, including 
reducing costs and other expenditures, improving 
productivity, increasing revenues, or combinations of 
such practices; 
(2) use the categories specified in the financial 
accounting and reporting system developed under 
section 203 when preparing its 5-year financial plan; 
and 
(3) ensure that the plan is consistent with the 
authorizations of appropriations under title I of this 
Act. 
SEC. 205. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROCESS. 
(a) GRANT REQUESTS.—Amtrak shall submit grant 
requests (including a schedule for the disbursement of 
funds), consistent with the requirements of this Act, to 
the Secretary of Transportation for funds authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of Amtrak 
under sections 101(a), (c), and (d), 102, and 103(2) of 
this Act. 
(b) PROCEDURES FOR GRANT REQUESTS.—The Sec-
retary shall establish substantive and procedural require-
ments, including schedules, for grant requests under this 
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section not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act and shall transmit copies to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(c) REVIEW AND APPROVAL.— 
(1) 30-DAY
APPROVAL
PROCESS.—The Sec-
retary shall complete the review of a complete grant 
request (including the disbursement schedule) and 
approve or disapprove the request within 30 days 
after the date on which Amtrak submits the grant 
request. If the Secretary disapproves the request or 
determines that the request is incomplete or defi-
cient, the Secretary shall include the reason for dis-
approval or the incomplete items or deficiencies in 
the notice to Amtrak. 
(2) 15-DAY MODIFICATION PERIOD.—Within 15 
days after receiving notification from the Secretary 
under the preceding sentence, Amtrak shall submit 
a modified request for the Secretary’s review. 
(3) REVISED REQUESTS.—Within 15 days after 
receiving a modified request from Amtrak, the Sec-
retary shall either approve the modified request, or, 
if the Secretary finds that the request is still incom-
plete or deficient, the Secretary shall identify in 
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writing to the House of Representatives Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Sen-
ate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation the remaining deficiencies and recommend 
a process for resolving the outstanding portions of 
the request. 
SEC. 206. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Board of Directors of Amtrak, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and 
the governors of each relevant State and the Mayor of the 
District of Columbia or groups representing those officials, 
shall develop and implement a single, Nationwide stand-
ardized methodology for establishing and allocating the 
operating and capital costs among the States and Amtrak 
associated with trains operated on routes described in sec-
tion 24102(5)(B) or (D) or section 24702 that— 
(1) ensures, within 5 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, equal treatment in the provision 
of like services of all States and groups of States 
(including the District of Columbia); and 
(2) allocates to each route the costs incurred 
only for the benefit of that route and a propor-
tionate share, based upon factors that reasonably re-
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flect relative use, of costs incurred for the common 
benefit of more than 1 route. 
(b) REVIEW.—If Amtrak and the States (including 
the District of Columbia) in which Amtrak operates such 
routes do not voluntarily adopt and implement the meth-
odology developed under subsection (a) in allocating costs 
and determining compensation for the provision of service 
in accordance with the date established therein, the Sur-
face Transportation Board shall determine the appro-
priate methodology required under subsection (a) for such 
services in accordance with the procedures and procedural 
schedule applicable to a proceeding under section 24904(c) 
of title 49, United States Code, and require the full imple-
mentation of this methodology with regards to the provi-
sion of such service within 1 year after the Board’s deter-
mination of the appropriate methodology. 
(c) USE OF CHAPTER 244 FUNDS.—Funds provided 
to a State under chapter 244 of title 49, United States 
Code, may be used, as provided in that chapter, to pay 
capital costs determined in accordance with this section. 
SEC. 207. METRICS AND STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Railroad Administration and Amtrak shall jointly, in con-
sultation with the Surface Transportation Board, rail car-
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riers over whose rail lines Amtrak trains operate, States, 
Amtrak employees, nonprofit employee organizations rep-
resenting Amtrak employees, and groups representing 
Amtrak passengers, as appropriate, develop new or im-
prove existing metrics and minimum standards for meas-
uring the performance and service quality of intercity pas-
senger train operations, including cost recovery, on-time 
performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-board 
services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other services. 
Such metrics, at a minimum, shall include the percentage 
of avoidable and fully allocated operating costs covered by 
passenger revenues on each route, ridership per train mile 
operated, measures of on-time performance and delays in-
curred by intercity passenger trains on the rail lines of 
each rail carrier and, for long distance routes, measures 
of connectivity with other routes in all regions currently 
receiving Amtrak service and the transportation needs of 
communities and populations that are not well-served by 
other forms of public transportation. Amtrak shall provide 
reasonable access to the Federal Railroad Administration 
in order to enable the Administration to carry out its duty 
under this section. 
(b) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—The Administrator of 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall collect the nec-
essary data and publish a quarterly report on the perform-
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ance and service quality of intercity passenger train oper-
ations, including Amtrak’s cost recovery, ridership, on- 
time performance and minutes of delay, causes of delay, 
on-board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other 
services. 
(c) CONTRACT WITH HOST RAIL CARRIERS.—To the 
extent practicable, Amtrak and its host rail carriers shall 
incorporate the metrics and standards developed under 
subsection (a) into their access and service agreements. 
(d) ARBITRATION.—If the development of the metrics 
and standards is not completed within the 180-day period 
required by subsection (a), any party involved in the devel-
opment of those standards may petition the Surface 
Transportation Board to appoint an arbitrator to assist 
the parties in resolving their disputes through binding ar-
bitration. 
SEC. 208. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR STATE-OF-GOOD-REPAIR 
PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 9 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation, in consultation with the Secretary and the 
States (including the District of Columbia) that make up 
the Northeast Corridor (as defined in section 24102 of 
title 49, United States Code), shall prepare a capital 
spending plan for capital projects required to return the 
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railroad right-of-way (including track, signals, and auxil-
iary structures), facilities, stations, and equipment, of the 
Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair by the end 
of fiscal year 2024, consistent with the funding levels au-
thorized in this Act and shall submit the plan to the Sec-
retary. 
(b) APPROVAL BY THE SECRETARY.— 
(1) The Corporation shall submit the capital 
spending plan prepared under this section to the 
Secretary of Transportation for review and approval 
pursuant to the procedures developed under section 
205 of this Act. 
(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall re-
quire that the plan be updated at least annually and 
shall review and approve such updates. During re-
view, the Secretary shall seek comments and review 
from the commission established under section 
24905 of title 49, United States Code, and other 
Northeast Corridor users regarding the plan. 
(3) The Secretary shall make grants to the Cor-
poration with funds authorized by section 101(d) of 
this Act for Northeast Corridor capital investments 
contained within the capital spending plan prepared 
by the Corporation and approved by the Secretary. 
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(4) Using the funds authorized by section 
101(f) of this Act, the Secretary shall review Am-
trak’s capital expenditures funded by this section to 
ensure that such expenditures are consistent with 
the capital spending plan and that Amtrak is pro-
viding adequate project management oversight and 
fiscal controls. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY OF EXPENDITURES.—The Federal 
share of expenditures for capital improvements under this 
section may not exceed 100 percent. 
SEC. 209. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 24905 is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘§ 24905. Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Op-
erations Advisory Commission 
‘‘(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) Within 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Im-
provement Act of 2008, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a Northeast Corridor Infra-
structure and Operations Advisory Commission 
(hereinafter referred to in this section as the ‘Com-
mission’) to promote mutual cooperation and plan-
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ning pertaining to the rail operations and related ac-
tivities of the Northeast Corridor. The Commission 
shall be made up of— 
‘‘(A) members representing the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation; 
‘‘(B) members representing the Secretary 
of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration; 
‘‘(C) one member from each of the States 
(including the District of Columbia) that con-
stitute the Northeast Corridor as defined in sec-
tion 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) The Secretary shall ensure that the mem-
bership belonging to any of the groups enumerated 
under subparagraph (1) shall not constitute a major-
ity of the commission’s memberships. 
‘‘(3) The commission shall establish a schedule 
and location for convening meetings, but shall meet 
no less than four times per fiscal year, and the com-
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mission shall develop rules and procedures to govern 
the commission’s proceedings. 
‘‘(4) A vacancy in the Commission shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. 
‘‘(5) Members shall serve without pay but shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 
5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(6) The Chairman of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members. 
‘‘(7) The Commission may appoint and fix the 
pay of such personnel as it considers appropriate. 
‘‘(8) Upon request of the Commission, the head 
of any department or agency of the United States 
may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the per-
sonnel of that department or agency to the Commis-
sion to assist it in carrying out its duties under this 
section. 
‘‘(9) Upon the request of the Commission, the 
Administrator of General Services shall provide to 
the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the admin-
istrative support services necessary for the Commis-
sion to carry out its responsibilities under this sec-
tion. 
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‘‘(10) The commission shall consult with other 
entities as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commis-
sion shall develop recommendations concerning Northeast 
Corridor rail infrastructure and operations including pro-
posals addressing, as appropriate— 
‘‘(1) short-term and long-term capital invest-
ment needs beyond the state-of-good-repair under 
section 208 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008; 
‘‘(2) future funding requirements for capital 
improvements and maintenance; 
‘‘(3) operational improvements of intercity pas-
senger rail, commuter rail, and freight rail services; 
‘‘(4) opportunities for additional non-rail uses 
of the Northeast Corridor; 
‘‘(5) scheduling and dispatching; 
‘‘(6) safety enhancements; 
‘‘(7) equipment design; 
‘‘(8) marketing of rail services; 
‘‘(9) future capacity requirements; and 
‘‘(10) potential funding and financing mecha-
nisms for projects of corridor-wide significance. 
‘‘(c) ACCESS COSTS.— 
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‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT OF FORMULA.—Within 1 
year after verification of Amtrak’s new financial ac-
counting system pursuant to section 203(b) of the 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008, the Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) develop a standardized formula for 
determining and allocating costs, revenues, and 
compensation for Northeast Corridor commuter 
rail passenger transportation, as defined in sec-
tion 24102 of this title, that use National Rail-
road Passenger Corporation facilities or services 
or that provide such facilities or services to the 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation that 
ensure 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 serv-
ice, and a proportionate share, based upon 
factors 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, including but 
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not limited to, for any capital infrastruc-
ture investments, as well as for any in-kind 
services, are considered; 
‘‘(B) develop a proposed timetable for im-
plementing the formula before the end of the 
6th year following the date of enactment of that 
Act; 
‘‘(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 
members through non-binding mediation to 
reach an agreement under this section. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The National Rail-
road Passenger Corporation and the commuter au-
thorities providing commuter rail passenger trans-
portation on the Northeast Corridor shall implement 
new agreements for usage of facilities or services 
based on the formula proposed in paragraph (1) in 
accordance with the timetable established therein. If 
the entities fail to implement such new agreements 
in accordance with the timetable, the Commission 
shall petition the Surface Transportation Board to 
determine the appropriate compensation amounts for 
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such services in accordance with section 24904(c) of 
this title. The Surface Transportation Board shall 
enforce its determination on the party or parties in-
volved. 
‘‘(d) TRANSMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
commission shall annually transmit the recommendations 
developed under subsection (b) and the formula and time-
table developed under subsection (c)(1) to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—(1) 
Section 
24904(c)(2) is amended by— 
(A) inserting ‘‘commuter rail passenger and’’ 
after ‘‘between’’; and 
(B) striking ‘‘freight’’ in the second sentence. 
(2) The chapter analysis for chapter 249 is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 24905 and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘24905. Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commis-
sion.’’. 
(c) ACELA SERVICE STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Amtrak shall conduct a con-
duct a study to determine the infrastructure and 
equipment improvements necessary to provide reg-
ular Acela service— 
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(A) between Washington, DC and New 
York City— 
(i) in 2 hours and 30 minutes; 
(ii) in 2 hours and 15 minutes; and 
(iii) in 2 hours; and 
(B) between New York City and Boston— 
(i) in 3 hours and 15 minutes; 
(ii) in 3 hours; and 
(iii) in 2 hours and 45 minutes. 
(2) ISSUES.—The study conducted under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) an estimated time frame for achieving 
the trip time described in paragraph (1); 
(B) an analysis of any significant obstacles 
that would hinder such an achievement, includ-
ing but not limited to, any adverse impact on 
existing and projected intercity, commuter, and 
freight service; and 
(C) a detailed description and cost esti-
mate of the specific infrastructure and equip-
ment improvements necessary for such an 
achievement. 
(3) REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall submit a writ-
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ten report containing the results of the study re-
quired under this subsection to— 
(A) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives; 
(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; and 
(E) the Federal Railroad Administration. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Transportation to enable Amtrak to con-
duct the study under this subsection $5,000,000. 
SEC. 210. RESTRUCTURING LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAP-
ITAL LEASES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and 
Amtrak, may make agreements to restructure Amtrak’s 
indebtedness as of the date of enactment of this Act. This 
authorization expires 18 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) DEBT RESTRUCTURING.—The Secretary of the 
Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Transpor-
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tation and Amtrak, shall enter into negotiations with the 
holders of Amtrak debt, including leases, outstanding on 
the date of enactment of this Act for the purpose of re-
structuring (including repayment) and repaying that debt. 
The Secretary of the Treasury may secure agreements for 
restructuring or repayment on such terms as the Secretary 
of the Treasury deems favorable to the interests of the 
Government. 
(c) CRITERIA.—In restructuring Amtrak’s indebted-
ness, the Secretary of the Treasury and Amtrak— 
(1) shall take into consideration repayment 
costs, the term of any loan or loans, and market 
conditions; and 
(2) shall ensure that the restructuring results 
in significant savings to Amtrak and the United 
States Government. 
(d) PAYMENT OF RENEGOTIATED DEBT.—If the cri-
teria under subsection (c) are met, the Secretary of the 
Treasury may assume or repay the restructured debt, as 
appropriate. 
(e) AMTRAK
PRINCIPAL
AND
INTEREST
PAY-
MENTS.— 
(1) PRINCIPAL ON DEBT SERVICE.—Unless the 
Secretary of the Treasury makes sufficient payments 
to creditors under subsection (d) so that Amtrak is 
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required to make no payments to creditors in a fis-
cal year, the Secretary of Transportation shall use 
funds authorized by section 102(a)(1) of this Act for 
the use of Amtrak for retirement of principal on 
loans for capital equipment, or capital leases. 
(2) INTEREST ON DEBT.—Unless the Secretary 
of the Treasury makes sufficient payments to credi-
tors under subsection (d) so that Amtrak is required 
to make no payments to creditors in a fiscal year, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall use funds au-
thorized by section 102(a)(1) of this Act for the use 
of Amtrak for the payment of interest on loans for 
capital equipment, or capital leases. 
(3) REDUCTIONS IN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.— 
Whenever action taken by the Secretary of the 
Treasury under subsection (a) results in reductions 
in amounts of principal or interest that Amtrak 
must service on existing debt, the corresponding 
amounts authorized by section 102(a)(1) shall be re-
duced accordingly. 
(f) LEGAL EFFECT OF PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SEC-
TION.—The payment of principal and interest on secured 
debt, other than debt assumed under subsection (d), with 
the proceeds of grants under subsection (e) shall not— 
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(1) modify the extent or nature of any indebt-
edness of the National Railroad Passenger Corpora-
tion to the United States in existence of the date of 
enactment of this Act; 
(2) change the private nature of Amtrak’s or its 
successors’ liabilities; or 
(3) imply any Federal guarantee or commit-
ment to amortize Amtrak’s outstanding indebted-
ness. 
(g) SECRETARY APPROVAL.—Amtrak may not incur 
more debt after the date of enactment of this Act without 
the express advance approval of the Secretary of Trans-
portation. 
(h) REPORT.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
transmit a report to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate, by November 1, 2009— 
(1) describing in detail any agreements to re-
structure the Amtrak debt; and 
(2) providing an estimate of the savings to Am-
trak and the United States Government. 
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SEC. 211. STUDY OF COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS AT EX-
ISTING INTERCITY RAIL STATIONS. 
Amtrak, in consultation with station owners and 
other railroads operating service through the existing sta-
tions that it serves, shall evaluate the improvements nec-
essary to make these stations readily accessible to and us-
able by individuals with disabilities, as required by such 
section 242(e)(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. 12162(e)(2)). The eval-
uation shall include, for each applicable station, improve-
ments required to bring it into compliance with the appli-
cable parts of such section 242(e)(2), any potential bar-
riers to achieving compliance, including issues related to 
the raising of passenger rail station platforms, the esti-
mated cost of the improvements necessary, the identifica-
tion of the responsible person (as defined in section 241(5) 
of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12161(5))), and the earliest prac-
ticable date when such improvements can be made. The 
evaluation shall also include a detailed plan and schedule 
for bringing all applicable stations into compliance with 
the applicable parts of section 242(e)(2) by the 2010 stat-
utory deadline for station accessibility. Amtrak shall sub-
mit the evaluation to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate; the Department of Transportation; and the 
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National Council on Disability by February 1, 2009, along 
with recommendations for funding the necessary improve-
ments. Should the Department of Transportation issue the 
Final Rule to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking of Feb-
ruary 27, 2006, on ‘‘Transportation for Individuals with 
Disabilities,’’ after Amtrak submits its evaluation, Amtrak 
shall, not later than 120 days after the date the Final 
Rule is published, submit to the above parties a supple-
mental evaluation on the impact of those changes on its 
cost and schedule for achieving full compliance. 
SEC. 212. OVERSIGHT OF AMTRAK’S COMPLIANCE WITH AC-
CESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 
Using the funds authorized by section 101(f) of this 
Act, the Federal Railroad Administration shall monitor 
and conduct periodic reviews of Amtrak’s compliance with 
applicable sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 to ensure that 
Amtrak’s services and facilities are accessible to individ-
uals with disabilities to the extent required by law. 
SEC. 213. ACCESS TO AMTRAK EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES. 
If a State desires to select or selects an entity other 
than Amtrak to provide services required for the operation 
of an intercity passenger train route described in section 
24102(5)(D) or 24702 of title 49, United States Code, 
the State may make an agreement with Amtrak to use 
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facilities and equipment of, or have services provided by, 
Amtrak under terms agreed to by the State and Amtrak 
to enable the State to utilize an entity other than Amtrak 
to provide services required for operation of the route. If 
the parties cannot agree upon terms, and the Surface 
Transportation Board finds that access to Amtrak’s facili-
ties or equipment, or the provision of services by Amtrak, 
is necessary to carry out this provision and that the oper-
ation of Amtrak’s other services will not be impaired 
thereby, the Surface Transportation Board shall, within 
120 days after submission of the dispute, issue an order 
that the facilities and equipment be made available, and 
that services be provided, by Amtrak, and shall determine 
reasonable compensation, liability and other terms for use 
of the facilities and equipment and provision of the serv-
ices. Compensation shall be determined in accordance with 
the methodology established pursuant to section 206 of 
this Act. 
SEC. 214. GENERAL AMTRAK PROVISIONS. 
(a) REPEAL
OF
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
(1) PLAN
REQUIRED.—Section 24101(d) is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘plan to operate within the 
funding levels authorized by section 24104 of 
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this chapter, including budgetary goals for fis-
cal years 1998 through 2002.’’ and inserting 
‘‘plan, consistent with section 204 of the Pas-
senger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008, including the budgetary goals for fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013.’’; and 
(B) by striking the last sentence and in-
serting ‘‘Amtrak and its Board of Directors 
shall adopt a long-term plan that minimizes the 
need for Federal operating subsidies.’’. 
(2) AMTRAK
REFORM
AND
ACCOUNTABILITY 
ACT AMENDMENTS.—Title II of the Amtrak Reform 
and Accountability Act of 1997 (49 U.S.C. 24101 
nt) is amended by striking sections 204 and 205. 
(b) LEASE ARRANGEMENTS.—Amtrak may obtain 
services from the Administrator of General Services, and 
the Administrator may provide services to Amtrak, under 
section 201(b) and 211(b) of the Federal Property and 
Administrative Service Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 481(b) and 
491(b)) for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013. 
SEC. 215. AMTRAK MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 243 is amended by in-
serting after section 24309 the following: 
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‘‘§ 24310. Management accountability 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Three years after the date of en-
actment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improve-
ment Act of 2008, and 2 years thereafter, the Inspector 
General of the Department of Transportation shall com-
plete an overall assessment of the progress made by Am-
trak management and the Department of Transportation 
in implementing the provisions of that Act. 
‘‘(b) ASSESSMENT.—The management assessment 
undertaken by the Inspector General may include a review 
of— 
‘‘(1) effectiveness in improving annual financial 
planning; 
‘‘(2) effectiveness in implementing improved fi-
nancial accounting; 
‘‘(3) efforts to implement minimum train per-
formance standards; 
‘‘(4) progress maximizing revenues and mini-
mizing Federal subsidies and improving financial re-
sults; and 
‘‘(5) any other aspect of Amtrak operations the 
Inspector General finds appropriate to review.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The chapter anal-
ysis for chapter 243 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 24309 the following: 
‘‘24310. Management accountability.’’. 
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SEC. 216. PASSENGER RAIL STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
General Accountability Office shall conduct a study to de-
termine the potential cost and benefits of expanding pas-
senger rail service options in underserved communities. 
(b) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit a report containing the results of the study 
conducted under this section to— 
(1) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives; and 
(2) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 217. CONGESTION GRANTS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may make grants to States, or to Amtrak in cooperation 
with States, for financing the capital costs of facilities, in-
frastructure, and equipment for high priority rail corridor 
projects necessary to reduce congestion or facilitate rider-
ship growth in intercity passenger rail transportation. 
(b) ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—Projects eligible for 
grants under this section include projects— 
(1) identified by Amtrak as necessary to reduce 
congestion or facilitate ridership growth in intercity 
passenger rail transportation along heavily traveled 
rail corridors; and 
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(2) designated by the Secretary as being suffi-
ciently advanced in development to be capable of 
serving the purposes described in subsection (a) on 
an expedited schedule. 
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.— 
The Secretary shall not make a grant under this section 
for a project without adequate assurances that the project 
will be completed in full compliance with all applicable 
Federal and State environmental laws and regulations. 
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of a project financed under this section shall not exceed 
80 percent. 
(e) EMPLOYEE PROTECTION.—The recipient of a 
grant under this section shall agree to comply with the 
standards of section 24312 of title 49, United States 
Code, 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 fi-
nanced under an agreement made under section 24308(a) 
of such title. 
SEC. 218. PLAN FOR RESTORATION OF SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall transmit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
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of preliminary costs of carrying out the project, in-
cluding land acquisition, timely procurement of sys-
tem elements for which specifications are decided, 
and other activities the Secretary decides are appro-
priate to make efficient, long-term project manage-
ment easier. A work agreement shall cover the pe-
riod of time the Secretary considers appropriate. 
The period may extend beyond the period of current 
authorization. Interest and other financing costs of 
efficiently carrying out the work agreement within a 
reasonable time are a cost of carrying out the agree-
ment, except that eligible costs may not be more 
than the cost of the most favorable financing terms 
reasonably available for the project at the time of 
borrowing. The applicant shall certify, in a way sat-
isfactory to the Secretary, that the applicant has 
shown reasonable diligence in seeking the most fa-
vorable financing terms. If an applicant does not 
carry out the project for reasons within the control 
of the applicant, the applicant shall repay all Gov-
ernment payments made under the work agreement 
plus reasonable interest and penalty charges the 
Secretary establishes in the agreement. 
‘‘(4) The total estimated amount of future obli-
gations of the Government and contingent commit-
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ments to incur obligations covered by all outstanding 
letters of intent, full funding grant agreements, and 
early systems work agreements may be not more 
than the amount authorized under section 101(d) of 
the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement 
Act of 2008, less an amount the Secretary reason-
ably estimates is necessary for grants under this sec-
tion not covered by a letter. The total amount cov-
ered by new letters and contingent commitments in-
cluded in full funding grant agreements and early 
systems work agreements may be not more than a 
limitation specified in law. 
‘‘(f) FEDERAL SHARE OF NET PROJECT COST.— 
‘‘(1)(A) Based on engineering studies, studies 
of economic feasibility, and information on the ex-
pected use of equipment or facilities, the Secretary 
shall estimate the net project cost. 
‘‘(B) A grant for the project shall not exceed 80 
percent of the project net capital cost. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary shall give priority in allo-
cating future obligations and contingent commit-
ments to incur obligations to grant requests seeking 
a lower Federal share of the project net capital cost. 
‘‘(2) Up to an additional 20 percent of the re-
quired non-Federal funds may be funded from 
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amounts appropriated to or made available to a de-
partment or agency of the Federal Government that 
are eligible to be expended for transportation. 
‘‘(3) 50 percent of the average amounts ex-
pended by a State or group of States (including the 
District of Columbia) for capital projects to benefit 
intercity passenger rail service and operating costs 
in fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 
and 2008 shall be credited towards the matching re-
quirements for grants awarded in fiscal years 2009, 
2010, and 2011 under this section. The Secretary 
may require such information as necessary to verify 
such expenditures. 
‘‘(4) 50 percent of the average amounts ex-
pended by a State or group of States (including the 
District of Columbia) in a fiscal year, beginning in 
fiscal year 2007, for capital projects to benefit inter-
city passenger rail service or for the operating costs 
of such service above the average capital and oper-
ating expenditures made for such service in fiscal 
years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 shall be 
credited towards the matching requirements for 
grants awarded under this section. The Secretary 
may require such information as necessary to verify 
such expenditures. 
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‘‘(g) UNDERTAKING PROJECTS IN ADVANCE.— 
‘‘(1) The Secretary may pay the Federal share 
of the net capital project cost to an applicant that 
carries out any part of a project described in this 
section according to all applicable procedures and re-
quirements if— 
‘‘(A) the applicant applies for the payment; 
‘‘(B) the Secretary approves the payment; 
and 
‘‘(C) before carrying out the part of the 
project, the Secretary approves the plans and 
specifications for the part in the same way as 
other projects under this section. 
‘‘(2) The cost of carrying out part of a project 
includes the amount of interest earned and payable 
on bonds issued by the applicant to the extent pro-
ceeds of the bonds are expended in carrying out the 
part. However, the amount of interest under this 
paragraph may not be more than the most favorable 
interest terms reasonably available for the project at 
the time of borrowing. The applicant shall certify, in 
a manner satisfactory to the Secretary, that the ap-
plicant has shown reasonable diligence in seeking the 
most favorable financial terms. 
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‘‘(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.—Subpara-
graph (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, pro-
duced, or manufactured in the United States in 
sufficient and reasonably available commercial 
quantities and are not of a satisfactory quality. 
‘‘(3) UNITED STATES DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘the United States’ means the 
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