To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail yards, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-8615
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2022-07-29
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Department of Transportation

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Railroads
Latest action: action_date: 2022-08-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-07-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill limits Amtrak's preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or crossing is located within 50 miles of a port or rail yard.</p> <p>The Department of Transportation may issue regulations to continue the preference waiver if necessary.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8615 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 29, 2022 Mr. Johnson of South Dakota introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail yards, and for other purposes.

1. Limitation of preference for Amtrak Section 24308(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking Except in an emergency and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) or in an emergency ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Limitation of preference Beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph and ending on the date that is 5 years after such date, intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation provided by or for Amtrak shall not have preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or crossing is located within 50 miles of a port or rail yard. (3) Waiver by Secretary The Secretary may issue such regulations as are necessary to continue the preference waiver described in paragraph (2). .