A bill to improve the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, and for other purposes.
Bill: S.2309 | Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. (D-GA)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
This bill expands eligibility for and modifies grants available through the Department of Transportation for improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation systems.
Specifically, the bill makes the District of Columbia, certain associations that represent railroads, and Indian tribes eligible for the grants. Other modifications include allowing grants to fund additional types of projects, such as (1) measures to prevent trespassing to reduce associated injuries and fatalities; (2) modifications to locomotives that reduce emissions; and (3) research, development, and testing of electromagnetic guideways in a vacuum (e.g., the hyperloop).

To improve the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements 
                    Program, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 22907 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including the 
                District of Columbia)'' after ``State'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (11) as 
                paragraphs (10) through (13), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (7), the 
                following:
            ``(8) An association representing 1 or more railroads 
        described in paragraph (7).'';
            ``(9) A federally recognized Indian tribe.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (11) and (12) as 
                paragraphs (13) and (14), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the 
                following:
            ``(11) The development and implementation of measures to 
        prevent trespassing and reduce associated injuries and 
        fatalities.'';
            ``(12) Rehabilitating, remanufacturing, procuring, or 
        overhauling one or more rail locomotives, provided that such 
        activities result in a significant reduction of emissions.''; 
        and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (14), as 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(15) Research, development, and testing to advance and 
        facilitate innovative rail projects, including projects using 
        electromagnetic guideways in an enclosure in a very low-
        pressure environment.''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``shall--'' and 
                all that follows and inserting ``shall select projects 
                that will maximize the net benefits of the funds 
                appropriated for use under this section, considering 
                the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project, 
                including anticipated private and public benefits 
                relative to the costs of the proposed project and 
                factoring in the other considerations described in 
                paragraph (2).''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``(B)''; and
            (4) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Grade crossing and trespassing projects.--Applicants 
        may use costs incurred for preliminary engineering associated 
        with highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects under 
        subsection (c)(5) and trespassing prevention projects under 
        subsection (c)(11) to satisfy the non-Federal share 
        requirements.''.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
may not be construed to affect any grant, including any application for 
a grant, made under section 22907 of title 49, United States Code, 
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
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