Think Differently Transportation Act

Bill: 118-s-4107
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2024-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Railroads

Summary:
action_date: 2024-04-11
text: 

Think Differently Transportation Act

This bill requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to include information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in a required annual report to Congress.

Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report an action plan for bringing Amtrak rail cars and stations into compliance with the ADA as required by a 2020 settlement agreement entered into between Amtrak and the Department of Justice. (Under the agreement, Amtrak committed to complying with the ADA and making intercity rail stations accessible.)

Amtrak must also include a status report on ADA compliance at Amtrak-served stations (based on a station assessment by Amtrak or the party responsible for ADA compliance). A station assessment means a review of all components of a station, including the building, platform, path to train, and parking areas, as required by the U.S. Access Board. For those Amtrak-served stations where Amtrak is not responsible for ADA compliance, Amtrak must include in the report information on the responsible party.
 
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: 

Think Differently Transportation Act

This bill requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to include information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in a required annual report to Congress.

Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report an action plan for bringing Amtrak stations into compliance with the ADA as required by a 2020 settlement agreement entered into between Amtrak and the Department of Justice. (Under the agreement, Amtrak committed to complying with the ADA and making intercity rail stations accessible.)

Amtrak must also include a status report on ADA compliance at Amtrak-served stations (based on a station assessment by Amtrak or the party responsible for ADA compliance). For those Amtrak-served stations where Amtrak is not responsible for ADA compliance, Amtrak must include in the report information on the responsible party. Amtrak may meet these requirements by demonstrating that Amtrak took reasonable measures to obtain cooperation from responsible entities.

Further, Amtrak must annually submit the action plan and status report while the settlement agreement is in effect and every five years once the agreement is no longer in effect.
 
action_date: 2024-12-03
text: 

Think Differently Transportation Act

This bill requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to include information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in a required annual report to Congress.

Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report an action plan for bringing Amtrak stations into compliance with the ADA as required by a 2020 settlement agreement entered into between Amtrak and the Department of Justice. (Under the agreement, Amtrak committed to complying with the ADA and making intercity rail stations accessible.)

Amtrak must also include a status report on ADA compliance at Amtrak-served stations (based on a station assessment by Amtrak or the party responsible for ADA compliance). For those Amtrak-served stations where Amtrak is not responsible for ADA compliance, Amtrak must include in the report information on the responsible party. Amtrak may meet these requirements by demonstrating that Amtrak took reasonable measures to obtain cooperation from responsible entities.

Further, Amtrak must annually submit the action plan and status report while the settlement agreement is in effect and every five years once the agreement is no longer in effect.

action_date: 2024-12-23
text: 

Think Differently Transportation Act

This act requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to include information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in a required annual report to Congress.

Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report an action plan for bringing Amtrak stations into compliance with the ADA as required by a 2020 settlement agreement entered into between Amtrak and the Department of Justice. (Under the agreement, Amtrak committed to complying with the ADA and making intercity rail stations accessible.)

Amtrak must also include a status report on ADA compliance at Amtrak-served stations (based on a station assessment by Amtrak or the party responsible for ADA compliance). For those Amtrak-served stations where Amtrak is not responsible for ADA compliance, Amtrak must include in the report information on the responsible party. Amtrak may meet these requirements by demonstrating that Amtrak took reasonable measures to obtain cooperation from responsible entities.

Further, Amtrak must annually submit the action plan and status report while the settlement agreement is in effect and every five years once the agreement is no longer in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Became Public Law No: 118-205.
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Became Public Law No: 118-205.
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-12-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7276)
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7276)
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4107.
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7276-7277)
action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Mr. Molinaro moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-12-04
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-12-03
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6788; text: CR S6788)
action_date: 2024-12-03
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 485.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-07-31
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2024-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 118-205