Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

Bill: 118-hr-8692
Sponsor: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2024-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Summary:
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: 

The Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

This bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act (i.e., the Sunshine Act), with exceptions.

Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply when a majority of the members of the Amtrak Board of Directors meet to discuss official business and (1) no formal or informal vote or other official action is taken at the meeting, and (2) those present at the meeting are board members or board employees.

Under these circumstances, Amtrak must make publicly available a (1) list of the individuals present at the meeting; and (2) summary of the matters discussed at the meeting, including the key issues.

The bill includes an exclusion from these requirements for any matter the board properly determines may be withheld from the public under provisions of the Sunshine Act. If the board properly determines a matter may be withheld from the public, the board must provide a public summary of the matter that includes as much general information as possible.

Further, Amtrak must brief Congress annually on the board's activities.

action_date: 2024-12-04
text: 

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

This bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act, with exceptions.

Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply to any portion or portions of a meeting that Amtrak properly determines are likely to involve

contract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise Amtrak’s competitive position;

collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in an agreement; and

matters involving the employment, appointment, termination, terms and conditions of employment, performance evaluation, promotion, or disciplining of a current or prospective Amtrak officer, employee, or contractor (unless all affected individuals request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting).



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6579)
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6579)
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8692.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6578-6579)
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Ms. Maloy moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 656.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-795.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-795.
action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: Introduced in House