Source: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title49/html/USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleV-partD-chap261.htm
Timestamp: 2018-10-21 01:42:59
Document Index: 519005322

Matched Legal Cases: ['§103', '§501', '§9001', '§26101', '§103', '§9001', '§501', '§7401', '§501', '§501', '§501', '§501', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§9001', '§26102', '§103', '§26103', '§103', '§26104', '§103', '§7201', '§9001', '§501', '§26105', '§103', '§7201', '§9001', '§26106', '§501', '§502']

PART D - HIGH-SPEED RAIL
CHAPTER 261 - HIGH-SPEED RAIL ASSISTANCE
CHAPTER 261—HIGH-SPEED RAIL ASSISTANCE
High-speed rail corridor planning.
High-speed rail technology improvements.
High-speed rail corridor development.
A prior chapter 261, consisting of sections 26101 and 26102, was renumbered chapter 281 of this title by Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4616.
2008—Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title V, §501(c), (e), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4960, 4963, substituted “High-speed rail corridor planning” for “Corridor development” in item 26101 and added item 26106.
2005—Pub. L. 109–59, title IX, §9001(a)(2), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1919, substituted “development” for “planning” in item 26101.
§26101. High-speed rail corridor planning
(a) Corridor Planning Assistance.—(1) The Secretary may provide under this section financial assistance to a public agency or group of public agencies for corridor planning for up to 50 percent of the publicly financed costs associated with eligible activities.
(2) No less than 20 percent of the publicly financed costs associated with eligible activities shall come from State and local sources, which State and local sources may not include funds from any Federal program.
(b) Eligible Activities.—(1) A corridor planning activity is eligible for financial assistance under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that it is necessary to establish appropriate engineering, operational, financial, environmental, or socioeconomic projections for the establishment of high-speed rail service in the corridor and that it leads toward development of a prudent financial and institutional plan for implementation of specific high-speed rail improvements, or if it is an activity described in subparagraph (M). Eligible corridor planning activities include—
(A) environmental assessments;
(B) feasibility studies emphasizing commercial technology improvements or applications;
(C) economic analyses, including ridership, revenue, and operating expense forecasting;
(D) assessing the impact on rail employment of developing high-speed rail corridors;
(E) assessing community economic impacts;
(F) coordination with State and metropolitan area transportation planning and corridor planning with other States;
(G) operational planning;
(H) route selection analyses and purchase of rights-of-way for proposed high-speed rail service;
(I) preliminary engineering and design;
(J) identification of specific improvements to a corridor, including electrification, line straightening and other right-of-way improvements, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, use of advanced locomotives and rolling stock, ticketing, coordination with other modes of transportation, parking and other means of passenger access, track, signal, station, and other capital work, and use of intermodal terminals;
(K) preparation of financing plans and prospectuses;
(L) creation of public/private partnerships; and
(M) the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment.
(2) No financial assistance shall be provided under this section for corridor planning with respect to the main line of the Northeast Corridor, between Washington, District of Columbia, and Boston, Massachusetts.
(c) Criteria for Determining Financial Assistance.—Selection by the Secretary of recipients of financial assistance under this section shall be based on such criteria as the Secretary considers appropriate, including—
(1) the relationship of the corridor to the Secretary's national high-speed ground transportation policy;
(2) the extent to which the proposed planning focuses on systems which will achieve sustained speeds of 125 mph or greater;
(3) the integration of the corridor into metropolitan area and statewide transportation planning;
(4) the potential interconnection of the corridor with other parts of the Nation's transportation system, including the interconnection with other countries;
(5) the anticipated effect of the corridor on the congestion of other modes of transportation;
(6) whether the work to be funded will aid the efforts of State and local governments to comply with the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
(7) the past and proposed financial commitments and other support of State and local governments and the private sector to the proposed high-speed rail program, including the acquisition of rolling stock;
(8) the estimated level of ridership;
(9) the estimated capital cost of corridor improvements, including the cost of closing, improving, or separating highway-rail grade crossings;
(10) rail transportation employment impacts;
(11) community economic impacts;
(12) the extent to which the projected revenues of the proposed high-speed rail service, along with any financial commitments of State or local governments and the private sector, are expected to cover capital costs and operating and maintenance expenses;
(13) whether a specific route has been selected, specific improvements identified, and capacity studies completed; and
(14) whether the corridor has been designated as a high-speed rail corridor by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4616; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title IX, §9001(a)(1), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1918; Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title V, §501(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4959.)
The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(6), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.
A prior section 26101 was renumbered section 28101 of this title.
2008—Pub. L. 110–432, §501(a)(1), substituted “High-speed rail corridor planning” for “Corridor development” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–432, §501(a)(2), substituted “Corridor Planning” for “Corridor Development” in heading.
Subsecs. (a)(1), (b). Pub. L. 110–432, §501(a)(3), substituted “corridor planning” for “corridor development” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 110–432, §501(a)(4), substituted “planning” for “development”.
2005—Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(A), substituted “development” for “planning” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(B), substituted “Development” for “Planning” in subsec. heading.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(C), substituted “corridor development” for “corridor planning”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(D)(i), inserted “, or if it is an activity described in subparagraph (M)” after “high-speed rail improvements” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(C), substituted “corridor development” for “corridor planning” in two places in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(C), substituted “corridor development” for “corridor planning”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(M). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(D)(ii)–(iv), added subpar. (M).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(C), substituted “corridor development” for “corridor planning”.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §9001(a)(1)(E), substituted “development” for “planning”.
Congressional Findings; Purpose
Section 102 of title I of Pub. L. 103–440 provided that:
“(1) high-speed rail offers safe and efficient transportation in certain densely traveled corridors linking major metropolitan areas in the United States;
“(2) high-speed rail may have environmental advantages over certain other forms of intercity transportation;
“(3) Amtrak's Metroliner service between Washington, District of Columbia, and New York, New York, the United States premier high-speed rail service, has shown that Americans will use high-speed rail when that transportation option is available;
“(4) new high-speed rail service should not receive Federal subsidies for operating and maintenance expenses;
“(5) State and local governments should take the prime responsibility for the development and implementation of high-speed rail service;
“(6) the private sector should participate in funding the development of high-speed rail systems;
“(7) in some intercity corridors, Federal planning assistance may be required to supplement the funding commitments of State and local governments and the private sector to ensure the adequate planning, including reasonable estimates of the costs and benefits, of high-speed rail systems;
“(8) improvement of existing technologies can facilitate the development of high-speed rail systems in the United States; and
“(9) Federal assistance is required for the improvement, adaptation, and integration of proven technologies for commercial application in high-speed rail service in the United States.
“(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this title [see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note set out under section 20101 of this title] is to encourage farsighted State, local, and private efforts in the analysis and planning for high-speed rail systems in appropriate intercity corridors.”
§26102. High-speed rail technology improvements
(a) Authority.—The Secretary may undertake activities for the improvement, adaptation, and integration of proven technologies for commercial application in high-speed rail service in the United States.
(b) Eligible Recipients.—In carrying out activities authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary may provide financial assistance to any United States private business, educational institution located in the United States, State or local government or public authority, or agency of the Federal Government.
(c) Consultation With Other Agencies.—In carrying out activities authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with such other governmental agencies as may be necessary concerning the availability of appropriate technologies for commercial application in high-speed rail service in the United States.
(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4617.)
A prior section 26102 was renumbered section 28102 of this title.
§26103. Safety regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate such safety regulations as may be necessary for high-speed rail services.
(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4618.)
§26104. Authorization of appropriations
(a) Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2013.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary—
(1) $30,000,000 for carrying out section 26101; and
(2) $30,000,000 for carrying out section 26102,
for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2013.
(b) Funds To Remain Available.—Funds made available under this section shall remain available until expended.
(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4618; amended Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, §7201(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 469; Pub. L. 109–59, title IX, §9001(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title V, §501(b), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4960.)
2008—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–432 substituted “$30,000,000” for “$70,000,000”.
2005—Pub. L. 109–59 amended heading and text of section generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of subsecs. (a) to (h) relating to authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1995 through 2001 and availability of funds.
1998—Subsecs. (d) to (h). Pub. L. 105–178 added subsecs. (d) to (g) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (h).
§26105. Definitions
(1) the term “financial assistance” includes grants, contracts,,1 cooperative agreements, and other transactions;
(2) the term “high-speed rail” means all forms of nonhighway ground transportation that run on rails or electromagnetic guideways providing transportation service which is—
(A) reasonably expected to reach sustained speeds of more than 125 miles per hour; and
(B) made available to members of the general public as passengers,
but does not include rapid transit operations within an urban area that are not connected to the general rail system of transportation;
(3) the term “publicly financed costs” means the costs funded after April 29, 1993, by Federal, State, and local governments;
(4) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation;
(5) the term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States; and
(6) the term “United States private business” means a business entity organized under the laws of the United States, or of a State, and conducting substantial business operations in the United States.
(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title I, §103(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4618; amended Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, §7201(b), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 470; Pub. L. 109–59, title IX, §9001(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1919.)
2005—Par. (1). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “, cooperative agreements, and other transactions” for “and cooperative agreements”.
1998—Par. (2). Pub. L. 105–178 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “the term ‘high-speed rail’ has the meaning given such term under section 511(n) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976;”.
§26106. High-speed rail corridor development
(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and implement a high-speed rail corridor development program.
(1) Applicant.—The term “applicant” means a State, a group of States, an Interstate Compact, a public agency established by one or more States and having responsibility for providing high-speed rail service, or Amtrak.
(2) Corridor.—The term “corridor” means a corridor designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 104(d)(2) of title 23.
(3) Capital project.—The term “capital project” means a project or program in a State rail plan developed under chapter 227 of this title for acquiring, constructing, improving, or inspecting equipment, track, and track structures, or a facility of use in or for the primary benefit of high-speed rail service, expenses incidental to the acquisition or construction (including designing, engineering, location surveying, mapping, environmental studies, and acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the capital portions of rail trackage rights agreements, highway-rail grade crossing improvements related to high-speed rail service, mitigating environmental impacts, communication and signalization improvements, relocation assistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, and acquiring, constructing, relocating, and rehabilitating replacement housing.
(4) High-speed rail.—The term “high-speed rail” means intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.
(5) Intercity passenger rail service.—The term “intercity passenger rail service” has the meaning given the term “intercity rail passenger transportation” in section 24102 of this title.
(6) State.—The term “State” means any of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
(c) General Authority.—The Secretary may make grants under this section to an applicant to finance capital projects in high-speed rail corridors.
(d) Applications.—Each applicant seeking to receive a grant under this section to develop a high-speed rail corridor shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall establish.
(e) Competitive Grant Selection and Criteria for Grants.—
(A) establish criteria for selecting among projects that meet the criteria specified in paragraph (2);
(2) Grant criteria.—The Secretary, in selecting the recipients of high-speed rail development grants to be provided under subsection (c), shall—
(A) require—
(i) that the project be part of a State rail plan developed under chapter 227 of this title, or under the plan required by section 211 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008;
(ii) that the applicant or recipient has or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project, satisfactory continuing control over the use of the equipment or facilities, and the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities;
(iii) that the project be based on the results of preliminary engineering studies or other planning, including corridor planning activities funded under section 26101 of this title;
(iv) that the applicant provides sufficient information upon which the Secretary can make the findings required by this subsection;
(v) that if an applicant has selected the proposed operator of its service, that the applicant provide written justification to the Secretary showing why the proposed operator is the best, taking into account costs and other factors;
(vi) that each proposed project meet all safety and security requirements that are applicable to the project under law; and
(vii) that each project be compatible with, and operated in conformance with—
(I) plans developed pursuant to the requirements of section 135 of title 23; and
(II) the national rail plan (if it is available);
(B) select high-speed rail projects—
(i) that are anticipated to result in significant improvements to intercity rail passenger service, including, but not limited to, consideration of the project's—
(I) levels of estimated ridership, increased on-time performance, reduced trip time, additional service frequency to meet anticipated or existing demand, or other significant service enhancements as measured against minimum standards developed under section 207 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008;
(II) anticipated favorable impact on air or highway traffic congestion, capacity, or safety; and
(ii) for which there is a high degree of confidence that the proposed project is feasible and will result in the anticipated benefits, as indicated by—
(I) the project's precommencement compliance with environmental protection requirements;
(II) the readiness of the project to be commenced;
(III) the commitment of any affected host rail carrier to ensure the realization of the anticipated benefits; and
(IV) other relevant factors as determined by the Secretary;
(iii) for which the level of the anticipated benefits compares favorably to the amount of Federal funding requested under this section; and
(C) give greater consideration to projects—
(i) that are anticipated to result in benefits to other modes of transportation and to the public at large, including, but not limited to, consideration of the project's—
(I) encouragement of intermodal connectivity through provision of direct connections between train stations, airports, bus terminals, subway stations, ferry ports, and other modes of transportation;
(II) anticipated improvement of conventional intercity passenger, freight, or commuter rail operations;
(III) use of positive train control technologies;
(IV) environmental benefits, including projects that involve the purchase of environmentally sensitive, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective passenger rail equipment;
(V) anticipated positive economic and employment impacts;
(VI) encouragement of State and private contributions toward station development, energy and environmental efficiency, and economic benefits; and
(VII) falling under the description in section 5302(a)(1)(G) of this title as defined to support intercity passenger rail service; and
(ii) that incorporate equitable financial participation in the project's financing, including, but not limited to, consideration of—
(I) donated property interests or services;
(II) financial contributions by intercity passenger, freight, and commuter rail carriers commensurate with the benefit expected to their operations; and
(III) financial commitments from host railroads, non-Federal governmental entities, non-governmental entities, and others.
(3) Grant conditions.—The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant under this chapter to comply with the grant requirements of section 24405 of this title.
(4) State rail plans.—State rail plans completed before the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 that substantially meet the requirements of chapter 227 of this title, as determined by the Secretary pursuant to section 22506 1 of this title, shall be deemed by the Secretary to have met the requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(i) of this subsection.
(f) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project financed under this section shall not exceed 80 percent of the project net capital cost.
(g) Issuance of Regulations.—Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this section.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section—
(1) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(2) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(3) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(4) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(5) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(Added Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title V, §501(d), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4960.)
Section 211 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i), is section 211 of Pub. L. 110–432, which is set out as a note under section 24902 of this title.
Section 207 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i)(I), is section 207 of Pub. L. 110–432, which is set out in a note under section 24101 of this title.
The date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e)(4), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–432, which was approved Oct. 16, 2008.
Section 22506 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(4), probably should be a reference to section 22706 of this title which requires the Secretary to prescribe procedures for submitting State rail plans for review. No section 22506 of this title has been enacted.
The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (g), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–432, which was approved Oct. 16, 2008.
Additional High-Speed Rail Projects
Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title V, §502, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4963, provided that:
“(a) Solicitation of Proposals.—
“(1) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall issue a request for proposals for projects for the financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a high-speed intercity passenger rail system operating within a high-speed rail corridor, including—
“(A) the Northeast Corridor;
“(B) the California Corridor;
“(C) the Empire Corridor;
“(D) the Pacific Northwest Corridor;
“(E) the South Central Corridor;
“(F) the Gulf Coast Corridor;
“(G) the Chicago Hub Network;
“(H) the Florida Corridor;
“(I) the Keystone Corridor;
“(J) the Northern New England Corridor; and
“(K) the Southeast Corridor.
“(2) Submission.—Proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than 270 days after the publication of such request for proposals under paragraph (1).
“(3) Performance standard.—Proposals submitted under paragraph (2) must meet any standards established by the Secretary. For corridors with existing intercity passenger rail service, proposals shall also be designed to achieve a reduction of existing minimum intercity rail service trip times between the main corridor city pairs by a minimum of 25 percent. In the case of a proposal submitted with respect to paragraph (1)(A), the proposal must be designed to achieve a 2-hour or less express service between Washington, District of Columbia, and New York City, New York.
“(4) Contents.—A proposal submitted under this subsection shall include—
“(A) the names and qualifications of the persons submitting the proposal and the entities proposed to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain the railroad, railroad equipment, and related facilities, stations, and infrastructure;
“(B) a detailed description of the proposed rail service, including possible routes, required infrastructure investments and improvements, equipment needs and type, train frequencies, peak and average operating speeds, and trip times;
“(C) a description of how the project would comply with Federal rail safety and security laws, orders, and regulations governing high-speed rail operations;
“(D) the locations of proposed stations, which maximize the usage of existing infrastructure to the extent possible, and the populations such stations are intended to serve;
“(E) the type of equipment to be used, including any technologies, to achieve trip time goals;
“(F) a description of any proposed legislation needed to facilitate all aspects of the project;
“(G) a financing plan identifying—
“(i) projected revenue, and sources thereof;
“(ii) the amount of any requested public contribution toward the project, and proposed sources;
“(iii) projected annual ridership projections for the first 10 years of operations;
“(iv) annual operations and capital costs;
“(v) the projected levels of capital investments required both initially and in subsequent years to maintain a state-of-good-repair necessary to provide the initially proposed level of service or higher levels of service;
“(vi) projected levels of private investment and sources thereof, including the identity of any person or entity that has made or is expected to make a commitment to provide or secure funding and the amount of such commitment; and
“(vii) projected funding for the full fair market compensation for any asset, property right or interest, or service acquired from, owned, or held by a private person or Federal entity that would be acquired, impaired, or diminished in value as a result of a project, except as otherwise agreed to by the private person or entity;
“(H) a description of how the project would contribute to the development of a national high-speed rail system and an intermodal plan describing how the system will facilitate convenient travel connections with other transportation services;
“(I) a description of how the project will ensure compliance with Federal laws governing the rights and status of employees associated with the route and service, including those specified in section 24405 of title 49, United States Code;
“(J) a description of how the design, construction, implementation, and operation of the project will accommodate and allow for future growth of existing and projected intercity, commuter, and freight rail service;
“(K) a description of how the project would comply with Federal and State environmental laws and regulations, of what the [sic] environmental impacts would result from the project, and how any adverse impacts would be mitigated; and
“(L) a description of the project's impacts on highway and aviation congestion, energy consumption, land use, and economic development in the service area.
“(b) Determination and Establishment of Commissions.—Not later than 60 days after receipt of the proposals under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
“(1) make a determination as to whether any such proposals—
“(A) contain the information required under subsection (a)(3) and (4);
“(B) are sufficiently credible to warrant further consideration;
“(C) are likely to result in a positive impact on the Nation's transportation system; and
“(D) are cost-effective and in the public interest; and
“(2) establish a commission under subsection (c) for each corridor with one or more proposals that the Secretary determines satisfies the requirements of paragraph (1), and forward to each commission such proposals for review and consideration.
“(c) Commissions.—
“(1) Members.—Each commission referred to in subsection (b)(2) shall include—
“(A) the governors of the affected States, or their respective designees;
“(B) mayors of appropriate municipalities along the proposed corridor, or their respective designees;
“(C) a representative from each freight railroad carrier using the relevant corridor, if applicable;
“(D) a representative from each transit authority using the relevant corridor, if applicable;
“(E) representatives of nonprofit employee labor organizations representing affected railroad employees; and
“(D) [sic] the President of Amtrak or his or her designee.
“(2) Appointment and selection.—The Secretary shall appoint the members under paragraph (1). In selecting each commission's members to fulfill the requirements under paragraph (1)(B) and (E), the Secretary shall consult with the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
“(3) Chairperson and vice-chairperson selection.—The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be elected from among members of each commission.
“(4) Quorum and vacancy.—
“(A) Quorum.—A majority of the members of each commission shall constitute a quorum.
“(B) Vacancy.—Any vacancy in each commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
“(5) Application of law.—Except where otherwise provided by this section, the Federal Advisory Committee Act (P.L. 92–463) [5 U.S.C. App.] shall apply to each commission created under this section.
“(d) Commission Consideration.—
“(1) In general.—Each commission established under subsection (b)(2) shall be responsible for reviewing the proposal or proposals forwarded to it under that subsection and not later than 90 days after the establishment of the commission, shall transmit to the Secretary a report which includes—
“(A) a summary of each proposal received;
“(B) services to be provided under each proposal, including projected ridership, revenues, and costs;
“(C) proposed public and private contributions for each proposal;
“(D) the advantages offered by the proposal over existing intercity passenger rail services;
“(E) public operating subsidies or assets needed for the proposed project;
“(F) possible risks to the public associated with the proposal, including risks associated with project financing, implementation, completion, safety, and security;
“(G) a ranked list of the proposals recommended for further consideration under subsection (e) in accordance with each proposal's projected positive impact on the Nation's transportation system;
“(H) an identification of any proposed Federal legislation that would facilitate implementation of the projects and Federal legislation that would be required to implement the projects; and
“(I) any other recommendations by the commission concerning the proposed projects.
“(2) Verbal presentation.—Proposers shall be given an opportunity to make a verbal presentation to the commission to explain their proposals.
“(3) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the use of each commission established under subsection (b)(2) such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
“(e) Selection by Secretary.—
“(1) Not later than 60 days after receiving the recommended proposals of the commissions established under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall—
“(A) review such proposals and select any proposal which provides substantial benefits to the public and the national transportation system, is cost-effective, offers significant advantages over existing services, and meets other relevant factors determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
“(B) issue a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate containing any proposal with respect to subsection (a)(1)(A) that is selected by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, all the information regarding the proposal provided to the Secretary under subsection (d), and any other relevant information deemed appropriate.
“(2) Following the submission of the report under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing any proposal with respect to subparagraphs (B) through (K) of subsection (a)(1) that are selected by the Secretary under paragraph (1) of this subsection, all the information regarding the proposal provided to the Secretary under subsection (d), and any other relevant information deemed appropriate.
“(3) The report required under paragraph (2) shall not be submitted by the Secretary until the report submitted under paragraph (1) has been considered through a hearing by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the report submitted under paragraph (1)(B).
“(f) Preliminary Engineering.—For planning and preliminary engineering activities that meet the criteria of section 26101 of title 49, United States Code, (other than subsections (a) and (b)(2)) that are undertaken after the Secretary submits reports to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate as required under subsection (e), not to exceed $5,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated from funds made available under section 26104(a) of such title. Only 1 proposal for each corridor under subsection (a) shall be eligible for such funds.
“(g) No Actions Without Additional Authority.—No Federal agency may take any action to implement, establish, facilitate, or otherwise act upon any proposal submitted under this section, other than those actions specifically authorized by this section, without explicit statutory authority enacted after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008].
“(h) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:
“(1) Intercity passenger rail.—The term ‘intercity passenger rail’ means intercity rail passenger transportation as defined in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code.
“(2) State.—The term ‘State’ means any of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
“(3) Northeast corridor.—The term ‘Northeast Corridor’ has the meaning given under section 24102 of title 49, United States Code.
“(4) High-speed rail corridor.—The terms ‘high-speed rail corridor’ and ‘corridor’ mean a corridor designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 104(d)(2) of title 23, United States Code, and the Northeast Corridor.”