instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Mercury Reduction and Energy
Security Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Environmental Protection Agency (''EPA'') was
required by the terms of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
and a 1998 consent agreement to determine whether regulation of
mercury from electric utility steam generating units under
section 112 of the Clean Air Act was appropriate and necessary.
(2) In a December 2000, regulatory finding, the EPA
concluded that regulation of mercury from electric utility
steam generating units was appropriate and necessary.
(3) In 2005, the EPA withdrew its 2000 regulatory finding
in favor of a national cap-and-trade system for mercury
emissions from electric utility steam generating units, the
Clean Air Mercury Rule (''CAMR'').
(4) CAMR was subsequently challenged in petitions for
review filed by 17 States.
(5) The United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit vacated the rule on February 8, 2008, finding
that once the EPA had listed electric utility steam generating
units as a source of hazardous air pollutants, it was required
by law to proceed with Maximum Achievable Control Technology
(''MACT'') regulations under section 112 of the Clean Air Act
unless it delisted the source category, under procedures set
forth in section 112(c)(9).
(6) Mercury control technologies for coal-fired electric
utility steam generating units have advanced rapidly in the
last few years.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to protect public health
and welfare, and the environment, through mercury emission reductions
from electric utility steam generating units.

SEC. 3. MERCURY EMISSION REDUCTIONS.

The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following new title:

''TITLE VII--MERCURY REDUCTIONS

''SEC. 701. DEFINITIONS.

''In this title:
''(1) Affected unit.--The term 'affected unit' means a
coal-fired electric steam generating unit (including a
cogeneration unit) that--
''(A) has a nameplate capacity greater than 25
megawatts; and
''(B) generates electricity for sale.
''(2) Cogeneration unit.--The term 'cogeneration unit'
means a stationary, coal-fired boiler or a stationary, coal-
fired combustion turbine having equipment used to produce
electricity and useful thermal energy for industrial,
commercial, heating, or cooling purposes through the sequential
use of energy that produces during the 12-month period starting
on the date the unit first produces electricity and during any
calendar year after which the unit first produces electricity--
''(A) for a topping-cycle cogeneration unit--
''(i) useful thermal energy not less than 5
percent of total energy output; and
''(ii) useful power that, when added to
one-half of useful thermal energy produced, is
not less than--
''(I) 42.5 percent of total energy
input if useful thermal energy produced
is 15 percent or more of total energy
output; or
''(II) 45 percent of total energy
input if useful thermal energy produced
is less than 15 percent of total energy
output; and
''(B) for a bottoming-cycle cogeneration unit,
useful power not less than 45 percent of total energy
input.
''(3) Inlet mercury.--The term 'inlet mercury' means the
quantity of mercury found--
''(A) in the as-fired coal used by an affected
unit; or
''(B) for an affected unit using coal that is
subjected to an advanced coal cleaning technology, in
the as-mined coal used by the affected unit.

''SEC. 702. MERCURY REDUCTION PROGRAM.

''(a) Annual Limitation for Affected Units.--Except as provided in
subsection (f), an affected unit in operation before or after the date
of enactment of this title shall be subject to the following emission
limitations on an annual average calendar year basis with respect to
mercury:
''(1) Calendar years 2012 through 2014.--For the period
beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending on December 31, 2014,
the less stringent limitation of the following (calculated on a
one-year rolling average):
''(A) 80 percent capture of inlet mercury.
''(B) An emission rate of 1.60 pounds of mercury
per trillion British thermal units of input coal.
''(2) Calendar year 2015 and thereafter.--For calendar year
2015 and each calendar year thereafter, the less stringent
limitation of the following (calculated on a one-year rolling
average):
''(A) 90 percent capture of inlet mercury.
''(B) An emission rate of 0.80 pounds of mercury
per trillion British thermal units of input coal.
''(b) Averaging Across Units Within a Facility or State.--(1) An
owner or operator of more than one affected unit at a single facility
may demonstrate compliance with the applicable annual average emission
limitations under subsection (a) by averaging emissions from all
affected units at that facility, weighted by total input coal British
thermal units.
''(2) An owner or operator of more than one affected unit or units
within a State may demonstrate compliance with the applicable annual
average emission limitations under subsection (a) by averaging
emissions from all affected units owned or operated by that owner or
operator within such State, weighted by total input coal British
thermal units, if all affected units are owned or operated by the same
entity.
''(3) If an affected unit is owned or operated by more than one
entity, the State in which the affected unit is located shall allocate
to each such owner or operator an appropriate portion of the generation
from the affected unit for purposes of averaging emissions pursuant to
paragraph (1) or (2).
''(c) Reference Methods for Measuring Mercury Emissions.--(1) The
owner or operator of an affected unit shall use any of the following
methods as a reference method to calibrate the instruments used to
measure the mercury concentration in emissions from affected units:
''(A) ASTM D6784-02, 'Standard Test Method for
Elemental, Oxidized, Particle-Bound and Total Mercury
in Flue Gas Generated from Coal-Fired Stationary
Sources' (Ontario Hydro Method).
''(B) 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Appendix A-8, Method 29,
'Determination of Metals Emissions from Stationary
Sources'.
''(C) 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Appendix A-8, Method 30A,
'Determination of Total Vapor Phase Mercury Emissions
from Stationary Sources (Instrumental Analyzer
Procedure)'.
''(D) 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Appendix A-8, Method 30B,
'Determination of Total Vapor Phase Mercury Emissions
from Coal-Fired Combustion Sources Using Carbon Sorbent
Traps'.
''(2) The Administrator may revise or supplement the list of
permitted methods set forth in paragraph (1) to reflect improvements or
other developments in the measurement of mercury emissions from coal-
fired electric steam generating units.
''(d) Monitoring System.--(1) The owner or operator of an affected
unit shall install and operate a continuous emissions monitoring system
(CEMS) to measure the quantity of mercury that is emitted from each
affected unit.
''(2) For purposes of complying with paragraph (1), the owner or
operator of an affected unit may use--
''(A) any CEMS that meets the requirements in Performance
Specification 12A (PS-12A), 'Specifications and Test Procedures
for Total Vapor-Phase Mercury Continuous Monitoring Systems in
Stationary Sources';
''(B) a mercury concentration CEMS that meets the
requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 75; or
''(C) a sorbent trap monitoring system that meets the
requirements of 40 C.F.R. 75.15 and 40 C.F.R. Part 75, Appendix
K, 'Quality Assurance and Operating Procedures for Sorbent Trap
Monitoring Systems';
''(3) The Administrator may revise or supplement the list
of permitted monitoring systems set forth in paragraph (2) to
reflect improvements or other developments in mercury emissions
reduction technologies and mercury emissions monitoring
systems.
''(e) Excess Emissions.--(1) Except as provided in subsection (f),
the owner or operator of an affected unit that emits mercury in excess
of the applicable annual average emission limitation under subsection
(a) shall pay an excess emissions penalty determined under paragraph
(2).
''(2) The excess emissions penalty for mercury shall be an amount
equal to $50,000 for each pound of mercury emitted in excess of the
applicable annual average emission limitation under subsection (a).
Such penalty shall be prorated for each fraction of a pound.
''(f) Best Practices.--(1) Effective, January 1, 2015, if the owner
or operator of any affected unit fails to achieve the annual average
emission limitation under subsection (a)(2), such owner or operator may
notify the Administrator of such failure prior to March 1, 2015, and
request an alternate emissions limitation for mercury with respect to
such affected unit. Such owner or operator shall submit to the
Administrator mercury emissions data measured by a CEMS that complies
with subsection (d) for evaluation. If the Administrator determines
that such owner or operator has properly installed and operated such
CEMS and control technology designed to achieve such annual average
emission limitation and is unable to meet such limitation, the
Administrator may, not later than April 1, 2016, establish an alternate
emissions limitation for mercury with respect to such affected unit
based on the optimal performance of properly installed and operated
control technology.
''(2) With respect to any affected unit, for any year for which an
alternate emissions limitation for mercury is in place for such
affected unit, the Administrator may review such alternate emissions
limitation and impose a more stringent emissions limitation for mercury
for the subsequent year based on new data regarding the demonstrated
control capabilities of the type of control technology installed and
operated at such affected unit.
''(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an owner or
operator of an affected unit failing to achieve the annual average
emission limitation under subsection (a)(2) that notifies the
Administrator of such failure and requests and alternate emissions
limitation for mercury pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be considered in
compliance with this section (and not subject to any excess emissions
penalty) for the period beginning on January 1, 2015, and ending on the
date such an alternate emissions limitation is implemented.
''(B) An owner or operator described in subparagraph (A) shall pay
an excess emissions penalty, as determined under subsection (e)(2), for
the period described in such subparagraph, if such owner or operator
operates or maintains the affected unit, including any associated air
pollution control equipment, in a manner that is inconsistent with good
air pollution control practices for the minimization of mercury
emissions, as determined by the Administrator. In determining whether
the owner or operator of the affected unit operates and maintains the
affected unit in a manner that is consistent with good air pollution
control practices for the minimization of mercury emissions, the
Administrator may review the emissions monitoring data and operating
and maintenance procedures of the affected unit and may inspect the
affected unit.
''(4)(A) With respect to any affected unit for which an alternate
emissions limitation for mercury is in place under this subsection, the
owner or operator of such affected unit that emits mercury in excess of
such alternate emissions limitation shall pay an excess emissions
penalty determined under subparagraph (B).
''(B) The excess emissions penalty for mercury for an owner or
operator of an affected unit described in subparagraph (A) shall be an
amount equal to $50,000 for each pound of mercury emitted in excess of
the alternate emissions limitation for mercury in place for such
affected unit. Such penalty shall be prorated for each fraction of a
pound.
''(g) Sole Limitation on Mercury.--This title shall apply the sole
emission standard or limitation under this Act with regard to the
emission of mercury from electric utility steam generating units and
shall supersede any other such requirement under section 112 or any
other provision of this Act.
''(h) Relationship to Other Law.--Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this title, nothing in this title precludes a State or
political subdivision of a State from adopting or enforcing any
additional requirements for the control or abatement of mercury
emissions, except that no State or political subdivision thereof shall
adopt or attempt to enforce any standard relating to the reduction or
control of mercury emissions from electric utility steam generating
units that is less stringent than the standards provided in this
title.''.
answer:
Mercury Reduction and Energy Security Act of 2010 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require affected units (coal-fired electric steam generating units that have nameplate capacities greater than 25 megawatts and generate electricity for sale) to reduce mercury emissions by the less stringent limitation of: (1) 80% capture of inlet mercury or an emission rate of 1.6 pounds of mercury per trillion British thermal units (Btu) of input coal for the period beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending December 31, 2014; and (2) 90% capture of inlet mercury or an emission rate of 0.8 pounds of mercury per trillion Btu of input coal by 2015 and each year thereafter.

Specifies methods that owners or operators of affected units are required to use as reference methods in calibrating the instruments used to measure the mercury concentrations in emissions from affected units.

Establishes excess emissions penalties for mercury. Sets forth compliance provisions.

Authorizes: (1) owners or operators of affected units that fail to achieve such limitations to request an alternate emission limitation; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish alternate limitations if the Administrator determines that the owner or operator has properly installed and operated continuous emissions monitoring system and control technology designed to achieve such limitations and is unable to achieve such limitations; and (3) the Administrator, after granting alternate limitations, to impose more stringent emissions limitations in subsequent years. Makes such alternate limitations effective January 1, 2015.

Provides that this Act supersedes any other requirement in such Act with regard to the emission of mercury from electric utility steam generating units.

question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Senator Paul Simon Water for the
Poor Enhancement Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-121)--
(A) makes access to safe water and sanitation for
developing countries a specific policy objective of
United States foreign assistance programs;
(B) requires the Secretary of State to--
(i) develop a strategy to elevate the role
of water and sanitation policy; and
(ii) improve the effectiveness of United
States assistance programs undertaken in
support of that strategy;
(C) codifies Target 10 of the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals; and
(D) seeks to reduce the proportion of people who
are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and
basic sanitation by 50 percent by 2015.
(2) On December 20, 2006, the United Nations General
Assembly, in GA Resolution 61/192, declared 2008 as the
International Year of Sanitation, in recognition of the impact
of sanitation on public health, poverty reduction, economic and
social development, and the environment.
(3) On August 1, 2008, Congress passed H. Con. Res. 318,
which--
(A) supports the goals and ideals of the
International Year of Sanitation; and
(B) recognizes the importance of sanitation on
public health, poverty reduction, economic and social
development, and the environment.
(4) While progress is being made on safe water and
sanitation efforts--
(A) more than 884,000,000 people throughout the
world lack access to safe drinking water; and
(B) 2 of every 5 people in the world do not have
access to basic sanitation services.
(5) The health consequences of unsafe drinking water and
poor sanitation are staggering, accounting for--
(A) nearly 10 percent of the global burden of
disease; and
(B) more than 2,000,000 deaths each year.
(6) The effects of climate change are expected to produce
severe consequences for water availability and resource
management in the future, with 2,800,000,000 people in more
than 48 countries expected to face severe and chronic water
shortages by 2025.
(7) The impact of water scarcity on conflict and
instability is evident in many parts of the world, including
the Darfur region of Sudan, where demand for water resources
has contributed to armed conflict between nomadic ethnic groups
and local farming communities.
(8) In order to further the United States contribution to
safe water and sanitation efforts, it is necessary to--
(A) expand foreign assistance capacity to address
the challenges described in this section; and
(B) represent issues related to water and
sanitation at the highest levels of United States
foreign assistance deliberations, including
deliberations related to issues of global health, food
security, the environment, global warming, and maternal
and child mortality.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to enhance the capacity of the United
States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for
the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121).

SEC. 4. DEVELOPING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CAPACITY.

Section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151h)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
''(e) Office of Water.--
''(1) Establishment.--To carry out the purposes of
subsection (a), the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development shall establish the Office of
Water.
''(2) Leadership.--The Office of Water shall be headed by
an Assistant Administrator for Safe Water and Sanitation, who
shall report directly to the Administrator.
''(3) Duties.--The Assistant Administrator shall--
''(A) implement this section and the Senator Paul
Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-
121); and
''(B) place primary emphasis on providing safe,
affordable, and sustainable drinking water, sanitation,
and hygiene.
''(f) Bureau of International Water.--
''(1) Establishment.--To increase the capacity of the
Department of State to address international issues regarding
safe water, sanitation, and other international water programs,
the Secretary of State shall establish the Bureau for
International Water within the Office of the Under Secretary
for Democracy and Global Affairs (referred to in this
subsection as the 'Bureau').
''(2) Duties.--The Bureau shall--
''(A) oversee and coordinate the diplomatic policy
of the United States Government with respect to global
freshwater issues, including--
''(i) access to safe drinking water and
sanitation;
''(ii) river basin and watershed
management;
''(iii) transboundary conflict;
''(iv) agricultural and urban productivity
of water resources;
''(v) pollution mitigation; and
''(vi) adaptation to hydrologic change due
to climate variability; and
''(B) ensure that international freshwater issues
are represented--
''(i) within the United States Government;
and
''(ii) in key diplomatic, development, and
scientific efforts with other nations and
multilateral organizations.''.

SEC. 5. SAFE WATER AND SANITATION STRATEGY.

Section 6(e) of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of
2005 (Public Law 109-121) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ''and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
''(7) an assessment of the extent to which the United
States Government's efforts are reaching the goal described in
section 135(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2152h(a)(2)); and
''(8) recommendations on what the United States Government
would need to do to help achieve the goal referred to in
paragraph (7) if the United States Government's efforts were
proportional to its share of the world's economy.''.

SEC. 6. DEVELOPING LOCAL CAPACITY.

The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law
109-121) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 9, 10, and 11 as sections 10,
11, and 12, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 8 the following:

''SEC. 9. WATER AND SANITATION MANAGERS TRAINING PROGRAM.

''(a) Establishment.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development shall establish, in every priority country, a
program to train local, in-country water and sanitation
managers, and other officials of countries that receive
assistance under section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 to promote the capacity of recipient governments to
provide affordable, equitable, and sustainable access to safe
drinking water and sanitation.
''(2) Coordination.--The program established under
subsection (a) shall be coordinated by the lead country water
manager designated in subsection (c)(2).
''(3) Expansion.--The Secretary and Administrator may
establish the program described in this section in additional
countries if the receipt of such training would be most
beneficial, with due consideration given to good governance.
''(b) Designation.--The United States Chief of Mission within each
country receiving a 'high priority' designation under section 6(f)
shall--
''(1) designate safe drinking water and sanitation as a
strategic objective;
''(2) appoint an in-country water and sanitation manager
within the Mission to coordinate the in-country implementation
of this Act and section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 with local water managers, local government officials, the
Department of State, and the Office of Water of the United
States Agency for International Development; and
''(3) coordinate with the Development Credit Authority and
the Global Development Alliance to further the purposes of this
Act.''.

SEC. 7. GRANTS FOR LOW COST CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION TECHNOLOGIES.

Section 135(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. 2152h(c))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ''and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end;
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
''(5) provide grants through the United States Agency for
International Development to foster the development of low cost
and sustainable technologies for providing clean water and
sanitation that are suitable for use in high priority
countries, particularly in places with limited resources and
infrastructure.''.

SEC. 8. UPDATED REPORT REGARDING WATER FOR PEACE AND SECURITY.

Section 11(b) of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of
2005, as redesignated by section 6, is amended by adding at the end the
following: ''The report submitted under this subsection shall include
an assessment of current and likely future political tensions over
water sources and an assessment of the expected impacts of global
climate change on water supplies in 10, 25, and 50 years.''.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2009 and
each subsequent fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

SEC. 10. CONSTRUCTION.

This Act shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the
Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121).
Nothing in this Act shall be construed in such a way as to override or
take precedence over the implementation of that Act.
answer:
Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Office of Water which shall: (1) implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005; and (2) place primary emphasis on providing safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Bureau for International Water within the Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs which shall: (1) coordinate U.S. diplomatic policy regarding global freshwater issues; and (2) ensure that international freshwater issues are represented within the U.S. government.

Amends the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the Secretary and the Administrator to establish in every priority country a program to train local water and sanitation managers to promote government capacity to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and (2) require that the water for peace and security report includes an assessment of current and likely future political tensions over water sources and an assessment of the future impacts of global climate change on water supplies.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize grants through USAID to develop technologies for providing clean water and sanitation in high priority countries with limited resources and infrastructure.

question:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

Section 24102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (10),
and (11); and
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (8), and (9) as
paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4), respectively.

SEC. 2. ENFORCEMENT.

Section 24103 of such title is amended--
(1) by repealing subsection (b); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 24104 of such title is amended to read as follows:
''Sec. 24104. Authorization of appropriations
''There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Transportation for the benefit of Amtrak--
''(1) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
''(2) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
''(3) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; and
''(4) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
No funds are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the
benefit of Amtrak for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2001.''.

SEC. 4. CHAPTER 243 AMENDMENTS.

Chapter 243 of such title is amended--
(1) in the table of sections--
(A) by striking the items relating to sections
24302 through 24315; and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section
24301 the following new item:

''24302. Relinquishment of rights to stock, notes, and mortgages.'';
(2) in section 24301--
(A) by repealing subsections (b), (c), (d), (e),
(f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), and (n); and
(B) by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection
(b);
(3) by repealing sections 24302 through 25315; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new section:
''Sec. 24302. Relinquishment of rights to stock, notes, and mortgages
''The United States relinquishes any rights held by virtue of any
stock, note of indebtedness, or mortgage issued by or entered into with
Amtrak.''.

SEC. 5. CHAPTER 245 AMENDMENTS.

(a) Section 24501(g) Amendment.--Section 24501(g) of such title is
amended by striking ''Amtrak is exempt'' and inserting in lieu thereof
''Amtrak Commuter is exempt''.
(b) Section 24504(c) Repeal.--Section 24504(c) of such title is
repealed.

SEC. 6. CHAPTERS 247 AND 249 REPEALED.

Chapters 247 and 249 of such title, and the items relating thereto
in the table of chapters of subtitle V of such title, are repealed.

SEC. 7. SERVICE DISCONTINUANCE.

(a) Amendment.--Chapter 241 of such title is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
''Sec. 24105. Service discontinuance
''(a) Wage Continuation or Severance Benefit.--Notwithstanding any
arrangement in effect before the date of enactment of this section, no
employee of a rail carrier providing rail passenger transportation
whose employment is terminated as a result of a discontinuance of
intercity rail passenger service shall receive any wage continuation or
severance benefit in excess of 6 months pay. This subsection shall not
affect the obligations of rail carriers under section 11326 of this
title.
''(b) Transfer.--Notwithstanding any arrangement in effect before
the date of enactment of this section, a rail carrier providing rail
passenger transportation may require an employee whose position is
eliminated as a result of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger
service to transfer to any vacant position for which the employee can
be made qualified on any part of such rail carrier's system. If such
transfer requires a change in residence or seniority district, the
employee shall choose--
''(1) to transfer to the position and be covered by the
collective bargaining agreement applicable to the seniority
district to which he is transferred; or
''(2) to voluntarily furlough himself at his home location
and receive protective benefits not in excess of the amount
authorized under subsection (a).
For purposes of this subsection, a transfer shall be considered to
require a change in residence if the new employment is more than 30
miles from the employee's place of residence and is farther from that
residence than was the former work location.''.
(b) Table of Sections.--The table of sections of chapter 241 of
such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

''24105. Service Discontinuance.''.

SEC. 8. FEDERAL EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACT.

The Act entitled ''An Act relating to the liability of common
carriers by railroad to their employees in certain cases.'', enacted
April 22, 1908 (45 U.S.C. 51 et seq.; popularly referred to as the
''Federal Employers' Liability Act'' or the ''Employers' Liability
Act'') is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
''Sec. 11. This Act shall not apply to common carriers to the
extent they provide rail passenger transportation.''.

SEC. 9. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

(a) Employee Protective Arrangements.--Section 11326 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking '', and the terms
established under section 24706(c) of this title''.
(b) Terminal Facilities.--Section 5567 of title 49, United States
Code, and the item relating thereto in the table of sections of chapter
55 of such title, are repealed.

SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATES.

(a) General Rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of its enactment.
(b) Exceptions.--(1) Sections 3, 7, and 8 of this Act shall take
effect immediately upon enactment.
(2) The repeal of section 24909 of title 49, United States Code,
shall take effect on October 1, 1997.
answer:
Amends Federal transportation law to repeal specified authorities with respect to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), eliminating intercity rail passenger transportation (while retaining Amtrak commuter services).
Repeals a provision which provides for the judicial review of the discontinuance of a route, a train, or transportation, or the reduction in the frequency of transportation by Amtrak.
Authorizes appropriations in decreasing amounts over four fiscal years.
Repeals specified laws that apply to Amtrak operations, abolishing the Board of Directors.
Declares that the United States relinquishes all rights held in any stock, note of indebtedness, or mortgage issued by or entered into with Amtrak.
Repeals: (1) certain provisions which require Amtrak to make an agreement to avoid duplicating employee functions; (2) all authority for operation of the Amtrak route system; and (3) all authority for the Northeast Corridor improvement program.
Prohibits a rail carrier employee whose employment is terminated as a result of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service from receiving any wage continuation or severance benefit in excess of six months pay. Authorizes a rail carrier to require an employee whose position is eliminated as a result of such discontinuance to transfer to any vacant position for which he or she can be made qualified on any part of the rail carrier's system.
(Sec. 8) Amends the Federal Employers' Liability Act (or Employers' Liability Act) to declare that it shall not apply to common carriers to the extent they provide rail passenger transportation.