To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a Center of Excellence to advance rail research and development.
Bill: H.R.3726 | Sponsor: Rep. Newman, Marie (D-IL)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish a center of excellence through one or more institutions of higher education for research and development relating to the safety, efficiency, and reliability of commuter rail, intercity high-speed rail, and freight rail transportation.

To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a Center of 
          Excellence to advance rail research and development.

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

SECTION 1. RAIL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

    Section 20108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(d) Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence.--
            ``(1) Center of excellence.--The Secretary shall establish 
        a center of excellence to carry out research and development 
        that improves the safety, efficiency and reliability of 
        passenger and freight rail transportation.
            ``(2) Selection of host institution.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall select an 
                institution of higher education, or a consortium of 
                institutions of higher education, to host and maintain 
                the center of excellence established under paragraph 
                (1).
                    ``(B) Selection criteria.--In selecting a such an 
                institution, the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) give preference to applicants with 
                        strong past performance related to rail 
                        research, education, and workforce development 
                        activities;
                            ``(ii) consider the extent to which the 
                        applicant would involve public and private 
                        sector passenger and freight railroad 
                        operators; and
                            ``(iii) consider the regional and national 
                        impacts of the applicant's proposed research 
                        and development activities.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--The institution of higher education 
        may use funds provided under this subsection to carry out basic 
        and applied research, evaluation, education, workforce 
        development, and training efforts related to safety, 
        efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability of 
        commuter rail, intercity high-speed rail, and freight rail 
        transportation, including advances in rolling stock, advanced 
        positive train control, human factors, rail infrastructure, 
        shared corridors, grade crossing safety, inspection technology, 
        remote sensing, rail systems maintenance, network resiliency, 
        operational reliability, energy efficiency, and advanced 
        technologies.
            ``(4) Federal share.--The Federal share of a grant under 
        this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent of the costs of 
        establishing and operating the center of excellence and related 
        research activities carried out by the grant recipient.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--
                    ``(A) Fiscal year 2022.--There is authorized to be 
                appropriated to the Secretary $7,500,000 for fiscal 
                year 2022 for a grant under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Fiscal years 2023 through 2026.--There are 
                authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such 
                sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
                2022 through 2026 for a grant under this subsection.
                    ``(C) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
                to this paragraph shall remain available until 
                expended.
            ``(6) Institution of higher education defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term `institution of higher education' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).''.
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