In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Decommissioning.--The term ''decommissioning'' includes
the flushing, plugging, and cementing of a platform.
(2) Fund.--The term ''Fund'' means the Reef Maintenance
Fund established by section 3(h)(1).
(3) Notice.--The term ''Notice'' means the notice to
lessees numbered 2010-G05, entitled ''Notice to Lessees and
Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases and Pipeline Right-of-
Way Holders in the Outer Continental Shelf, Gulf of Mexico OCS
Region'', and issued September 15, 2010.
(4) Platform.--The term ''platform'' means an offshore oil
and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico that, as determined by
the Secretary--
(A) is no longer useful for operations, as defined
in the Notice; and
(B) has become critical for marine fisheries
habitat.
(5) Program.--The term ''Program'' means the artificial
reef program authorized under the National Fishing Enhancement
Act of 1984 (33 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.).
(6) Secretary.--The term ''Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.

SEC. 3. USE OF CERTAIN OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS PLATFORMS FOR ARTIFICIAL
REEFS.

(a) Assessment.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct an assessment of each of the
platforms--
(1) to determine whether there are coral populations or
other protected species in the vicinity of the platform; and
(2) to identify any species in the vicinity of the platform
that have recreational or commercial value.
(b) Prohibition of Removal.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the Notice, no platforms
shall be removed in accordance with the Notice until the date
on which the Secretary has completed assessments of each of the
platforms under subsection (a).
(2) Suspension of decommissioning.--If, during an
assessment conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary
determines that there is a substantial reef ecosystem in the
vicinity of the platform, the decommissioning of the platform
under the Notice shall be placed on hold until such time as the
Secretary determines that decommissioning the platform would
not harm the reef ecosystem.
(c) Exemption From Certain Requirements.--The requirement in the
Notice that a lessee remove a platform as soon as possible, but not
later than 5 years after the effective date of the Notice or within 5
years of the platform, meeting the definition of no longer useful for
operations, whichever is later, shall not apply to a lessee that--
(1) commits to entering the platform in the Program; and
(2) demonstrates the commitment described in paragraph (1)
by initiating discussions with applicable States regarding
potential sites for the artificial reef.
(d) Reefing in Place.--A lessee may, as appropriate, provide for
reefing in place under the Program.
(e) State Programs.--
(1) In general.--A State that has a State rig-to-reef
program may enter into an agreement with any appropriate
entities to assume liability in Federal water for a structure
covered by the State program.
(2) Maintenance.--Notwithstanding an agreement entered into
under paragraph (1), the operator of the covered structure
shall remain responsible for maintaining the covered structure.
(f) Removal of Top Decks.--Under the Program, top decks of a rig
may be removed, down to water surface level, if appropriate identifying
markers are used to protect navigation.
(g) Maintenance and Financial Requirements.--As a condition of
inclusion in the Program, the owner of a rig enrolled in the Program
shall be required to--
(1) maintain an anode system for the rig; and
(2) pay into the Fund an amount equal to 50 percent of the
estimated costs associated with the removal of the platform
that the owner would have been responsible for if the owner had
not participated in the Program, as determined by the
Secretary.
(h) Reef Maintenance Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a fund to be known as the ''Reef Maintenance
Fund'', to be administered by the Secretary, to be available
without fiscal year limitation and not subject to
appropriation, for the maintenance of artificial reefs
established under the Program.
(2) Transfers to fund.--The Fund shall consist of such
amounts deposited in the Fund under subsection (g)(2).
(3) Prohibition.--Amounts in the Fund may not be made
available for any purpose other than a purpose described in
paragraph (1).
(4) Annual reports.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
end of each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year
2012, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate, and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives a report on the operation of
the Fund during the fiscal year.
(B) Contents.--Each report shall include, for the
fiscal year covered by the report, the following:
(i) A statement of the amounts deposited
into the Fund.
(ii) A description of the expenditures made
from the Fund for the fiscal year, including
the purpose of the expenditures.
(iii) Recommendations for additional
authorities to fulfill the purpose of the Fund.
(iv) A statement of the balance remaining
in the Fund at the end of the fiscal year.
Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assess each offshore oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico that is no longer useful for operations, and has become critical for a marine fisheries habitat, to: (1) determine whether there are coral populations or other protected species in the platform's vicinity, and (2) identify any species in the vicinity that have recreational or commercial value.

Prohibits the removal of any such platforms until the Secretary has completed each assessment.

Requires suspension of the decommissioning of a platform if a substantial reef ecosystem is in the vicinity until the Secretary determines that decommissioning would not harm the ecosystem.

Exempts from certain platform removal deadlines any lessees who: (1) commit to entering a particular platform in the artificial reef program under the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984, and (2) initiate discussions with applicable states regarding potential artificial reef sites.

Allows a lessee to provide for reefing in place under the artificial reef program.

Permits states with a state rig-to-reef program to enter agreements with any appropriate entities to assume liability in federal water for a structure covered by the state program.

Establishes a Reef Maintenance Fund. Requires the owner of a rig enrolled in the artificial reef program to: (1) maintain a rig anode system, and (2) pay into the Fund 50% of the estimated platform removal costs for which the owner would have been responsible if it had not participated in the program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Puppies Assisting Wounded
Servicemembers Act of 2017'' or the ''PAWS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the analysis of veteran suicide published
by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016 and titled
''Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans''--
(A) an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each
day in 2014;
(B) mental health disorders, including major
depression and other mood disorders, have been
associated with increased risk for suicide;
(C) since 2001, the proportion of users of the
Veterans Health Administration with mental health
conditions or substance use disorders has increased
from approximately 27 percent in 2001 to more than 40
percent in 2014; and
(D) overall, suicide rates are highest among
patients with mental health and substance use disorder
diagnoses who are in treatment and lower among those
who received a mental health diagnoses but were not at
risk enough to require enhanced care from a mental
health provider.
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more
effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran
suicide connected to mental health disorders, including post-
traumatic stress disorder, and a pilot program and study to
assess the benefits of pairing service dogs with veterans
suffering from mental health disorders would allow the
Department to better determine the efficacy of using service
dogs as a nontraditional therapy to ensure the well-being of
veterans.
(3) Pairing a service dog with a veteran costs
approximately $25,000, including with respect to training of
the service dog as well as training of the veteran with the
service dog.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS
FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICE DOGS TO CERTAIN VETERANS
WITH SEVERE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

(a) Grants.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program under which the Secretary provides a $25,000 grant to an
eligible organization for each veteran referred to that organization
for a service dog pairing.
(b) Benefits Provided.--
(1) In general.--An organization that receives a grant
under subsection (a) shall provide the following for each
service dog and veteran participating in the pilot program:
(A) Coverage of a commercially available veterinary
health insurance policy to maintain the health of the
dog and keep the dog functioning in the prescribed role
for the life of the dog.
(B) Hardware, or repairs or replacements for
hardware, that are clinically determined to be required
by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the
veteran with the diagnosed disorder of the veteran.
(C) Payments for travel expenses for the veteran to
obtain the dog, calculated in the same manner as
similar travel expenses provided pursuant to section
111 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Other travel expenses.--If a veteran is required to
replace a service dog provided pursuant to a grant under this
section, the Secretary shall pay for the travel expenses
described in paragraph (1)(C) required to obtain a new service
dog pursuant to subsection (c)(3), regardless of any other
benefits the veteran is receiving for the first service dog
under this section.
(c) Eligible Organizations.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an organization shall--
(1) be a nonprofit organization that provides trained
service dogs--
(A) that--
(i) is certified by Assistance Dogs
International;
(ii) on average, provides one-on-one
training for each service dog and recipient for
30 hours or more over 90 days or more;
(iii) provides a wellness verification from
a licensed veterinarian for each service dog;
(iv) provides an in-house residential
facility, or other accommodations nearby, in
which service dog recipients stay for a minimum
of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of
training with their new service dog;
(v) ensures all service dogs pass the
American Kennel Club Community Canine test and
the ADI Public Access Test prior to permanent
placement with a recipient; and
(vi) provides follow-up support service for
the life of the service dog, to include a
contact plan between the veteran and
organization to allow--
(I) the veteran to reach out for
and receive adequate help with the
service dog; and
(II) the organization to
communicate with the veteran to ensure
that the service dog is being properly
cared for; or
(B) that meets the Association of Service Dog
Providers for Military Veterans Service Dog Agency
Standards that cater to the unique needs of veterans
with post-traumatic stress disorder;
(2) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount
to guarantee the benefits listed under subsection (b)(1);
(3) agree to reaccept or replace the service dog the
organization provided to the veteran, if necessary, as
determined by the organization and the veteran; and
(4) submit to the Secretary an application containing such
information, certification, and assurances as the Secretary may
require.
(d) Eligible Veterans.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
review and approve veterans eligible to participate under this
section and shall refer approved veterans to eligible
organizations. The period beginning on the date on which a
veteran applies to participate under this section and the date
on which the Secretary makes an approval determination may not
exceed 90 days.
(2) Initial eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the patient
enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under
section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and--
(A) has been treated and has completed an
established evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder yet remains diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder by a qualified health care
provider as rated on the post-traumatic stress disorder
checklist (PCL-5);
(B) the health care provider or clinical team of
the Department of Veterans Affairs that is treating the
veteran for such disorder determines based upon medical
judgment that the veteran may potentially benefit from
a service dog; and
(C) agrees to successfully complete training
provided by an eligible organization pursuant to
subsection (c).
(3) Ongoing eligibility.--To remain eligible to participate
in the pilot program, a veteran shall see the health care
provider or clinical team of the Department of Veterans Affairs
treating the veteran for such a disorder at least every six
months to determine, based on a clinical evaluation of
efficacy, whether the veteran continues to benefit from a
service dog.
(4) Other cases.--If at any point, the veteran is no longer
able or willing to care for the service dog, the organization
that provided the service dog and the veteran shall determine
the appropriate recourse to ensure the safety of both the
veteran and the service dog.
(e) Relationship to Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits.--The
provision of a service dog to a veteran under this section is in
addition to any other hospital care or medical service furnished by the
Department for that veteran for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an
improvement in symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog
shall not affect the eligibility of the veteran for any other benefit
under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(f) Metrics.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure,
with respect to veterans participating in the pilot program,
the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic
compliance of such veterans and changes with respect to the
dependence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic
medication of such veterans; and
(2) establish processes to document and track the progress
of such veterans under the pilot program in terms of the
benefits and improvements noted as a result of the pilot
program.
(g) GAO Briefing and Study.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the Secretary commences the pilot program under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States
shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the
methodology established for the pilot program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date on
which the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General
shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a
report on the pilot program. Such report shall include an
evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the pilot
program with respect to--
(A) helping veterans with severe post-traumatic
stress disorder return to civilian life;
(B) relevant metrics, including reduction in
metrics such as reduction in scores under the post-
traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5),
improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic
compliance; and
(C) reducing the dependence of participants on
prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023, $10,000,000 to carry out the pilot program under this section.
(i) Offset.--The amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated
for Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Human Resources and
Administration for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023 shall be reduced by $10,000,000.
(j) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the
date of the enactment of this Act. An eligible veteran in possession of
a service dog furnished under the pilot program as of the termination
of the pilot program may keep the service dog after the termination of
the program for the life of the dog.
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2017 or the PAWS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which it provides grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide service dogs to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after completing other evidence-based treatment. An organization that receives a grant shall provide for each participating service dog and veteran: coverage by a commercially available veterinary health insurance policy, hardware clinically determined to be required by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the veteran, payments for travel expenses to obtain the dog, and travel expenses required to obtain a replacement service dog. To be eligible for a grant, an organization must: (1) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee such benefits, (2) be certified by Assistance Dogs International, (3) provide one-on-one training for each service dog and recipient for 30 hours or more over 90 days or more, and (4) provide an in-house residential facility or other accommodations nearby in which service dog recipients stay for a minimum of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of training. The VA shall develop metrics to measure the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic compliance and changes independence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication of veterans participating in the program. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the methodology used for the pilot program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Act
of 1994''.

SEC. 2. GRADE CROSSING SIGNAL DEVICES.

Section 202 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C.
431) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the subsections after the first
subsection (r) as subsections (s), (t), (u), and (v),
respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
''(w) Grade Crossing Signal Devices.--The Secretary shall, within
one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, establish
nationally uniform standards regarding the allocation of responsibility
for selection and installation of signal devices at public railroad-
highway grade crossings.''.

SEC. 3. STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

(a) Amendment of Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to amend the Secretary's
regulations under section 500.407 of title 23, Code of Federal
Regulations, to require that each highway safety management system
developed, established, and implemented by a State shall, among
countermeasures and priorities established under subsection (b)(2) of
that section, include--
(1) public railroad-highway grade crossing closure plans
that are aimed at eliminating high-risk or redundant crossings
(as defined by the Secretary); and
(2) railroad-highway grade crossing policies that limit the
creation of new at-grade crossings for vehicle or pedestrian
traffic, recreational use, or any other purpose.
(b) Deadline.--The Secretary of Transportation shall complete the
rulemaking proceeding described in subsection (a) and promulgate the
required amended regulations, not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION OF GRADE CROSSING PROBLEMS.

(a) Toll Free Telephone Number.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall establish, not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and thereafter maintain an emergency notification system
utilizing a toll free ''800'' telephone number that the public can use
to convey to railroads, either directly or through public safety
personnel, information about malfunctions or other safety problems at
railroad-highway grade crossings. In establishing such emergency
notification system, the Secretary may coordinate with, or incorporate
components of, existing notification systems.
(b) Notices To Public.--Not later than ninety days after the
establishment of the emergency notification system described in
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate
regulations requiring railroads with railroad-highway grade crossings
to display publicly at each such crossing, in a manner prescribed by
the Secretary, information--
(1) describing the emergency notification system;
(2) instructing the public how to use the system;
(3) stating the toll free telephone number that is
available for such use; and
(4) specifying the unique number (as assigned by the
Secretary) identifying such grade crossing.
(c) Treatment in Judicial Proceedings.--A court shall not hold the
Secretary of Transportation or any other Federal official or agency,
any State or agency or political subdivision of a State, or any
railroad liable for damages caused by an action taken under this
section or by failure to perform a duty imposed by this section. No
evidence may be introduced in a trial or other judicial proceeding that
the emergency notification system required by this section exists or is
relied upon by any governmental official or entity or any railroad.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the purpose of
carrying out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $500,000 for
fiscal year 1996, and $500,000 for fiscal year 1997.
(e) Cost Sharing.--At least 30 percent of the cost of establishing
and maintaining the emergency notification system required by this
section shall be provided from non-Federal sources.

SEC. 5. OPERATION LIFESAVER.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of amounts appropriated to
the Secretary of Transportation for railroad research and development,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $300,000 for
fiscal year 1995, $500,000 for fiscal year 1996, and $750,000 for
fiscal year 1997, to support Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
(b) Program Requirements.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
not provide financial assistance to Operation Lifesaver, Inc., in
excess of $150,000 for any fiscal year unless--
(1) such excess funding is for the development and
implementation of a national, multiyear, multimedia public
information and law enforcement program for the reduction of
fatalities and serious injuries involving railroad-highway
grade crossings and trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and
property; and
(2) at least 30 percent of the costs of developing and
implementing such program is provided from non-Federal sources,
including States and railroads.

SEC. 6. INTELLIGENT VEHICLE-HIGHWAY SYSTEMS.

(a) In General.--In implementing the Intelligent Vehicle-Highway
Systems Act of 1991 (23 U.S.C. 307 note), the Secretary of
Transportation shall ensure that the National Intelligent Vehicle-
Highway Systems Program addresses, in a comprehensive and coordinated
manner, the use of intelligent vehicle-highway system technologies to
promote safety at railroad-highway grade crossings. The Secretary of
Transportation shall ensure that two or more operational tests funded
under such Act shall promote highway traffic safety and railroad
safety.

SEC. 7. PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN GRADE CROSSING VIOLATIONS.

(a) Motor Vehicle Violations.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall, within six months after the date of enactment of this Act, amend
regulations--
(1) under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49
App. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) to prohibit the driver of motor
vehicle transporting hazardous materials in commerce, and
(2) under the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 (49 App.
U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) to prohibit the driver of any commercial
motor vehicle,
from driving the motor vehicle onto a railroad-highway grade crossing
without having sufficient space to drive completely through the
crossing without stopping.
(b) Vandalism; Trespassing.--Not later than six months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
amend the Secretary's regulations under section 202 of the Federal
Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 431) to make subject to a civil
penalty under such Act any person who--
(1) defaces or disables, or commits any other act that
adversely affects the function of, any signal system, sign, or
device at a grade crossing; or
(2) trespasses on a railroad-owned or railroad-leased
right-of-way, roadbed, or bridge.

SEC. 8. VIOLATION OF GRADE CROSSING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

(a) Federal Regulations.--The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1986 (49 App. U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), as amended by subsection (b) of
this section, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:

''SEC. 12022. VIOLATION OF GRADE CROSSING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

''(a) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations
establishing sanctions and penalties relating to violations, by persons
operating commercial motor vehicles, of laws and regulations pertaining
to railroad-highway grade crossings.
''(b) Minimum Requirements.--Regulations issued under subsection
(a) shall, at a minimum, require that--
''(1) any operator of a commercial motor vehicle who is
found to have committed a first violation of a law or
regulation pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings shall
be disqualified from operating such a vehicle for a period of
not less than ninety days and shall be subject to a civil
penalty of not less than $1,000;
''(2) any operator of a commercial motor vehicle who is
found to have committed a second violation of such a law or
regulation shall be disqualified from operating such a vehicle
for a period of not less than one year and not more than five
years and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than
$1,000; and
''(3) any employer that knowingly allows, permits,
authorizes, or requires an employee to operate a commercial
motor vehicle in violation of such a law or regulation shall be
subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10, 000.
''(c) Deadline.--The regulations required under subsection (a)
shall be issued not later than five years after the date of enactment
of this section.''.
(b) State Regulations.--Section 12009(a) of the Commercial Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (49 App. U.S.C. 2708(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (21), by striking ''12020(a)'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ''12021(a)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
''(22) Grade crossing regulations.--The State shall adopt
and enforce any regulations issued by the Secretary under
section 12022.''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1986 (49 App. U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended by redesignating the
second section 12020 (as added by section 4009(a) of the Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-240; 105
Stat. 2156)) as section 12021.

SEC. 9. SAFETY ENFORCEMENT.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Office
of Motor Carrier Safety within the Federal Highway Administration,
shall on a continuing basis cooperate with the National Association of
Governors' Highway Safety Representatives, the Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance, and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., to improve compliance
with and enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to reairoad-
highway grade crossings.
Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish uniform standards regarding the allocation of responsibility for selection and installation of signal devices at public railroad-highway grade crossings.
(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require that each State highway safety management system include: (1) public railroad-highway grade crossing closure plans that are aimed at eliminating high-risk or redundant crossings; and (2) railroad-highway grade crossings policies that limit the creation of new at-grade crossings for vehicle or pedestrian traffic, recreational use, or any other purpose.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to establish an emergency "800" telephone number notification system that the public can use to convey to railroads information about malfunctions or other safety problems at such crossings.
Prohibits a court from holding the Secretary or other Federal agency, or State or local government agency liable for damages caused by any action or failure to perform a duty under this Act.
Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to ensure that the National Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Program addresses the use of intelligent vehicle-highway system technologies to promote safety at railroad-highway grade crossings.
(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to prohibit the driver of a motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials in commerce, and of any commercial vehicle, from driving such vehicle onto a railroad-highway crossing without having sufficient space to drive through the crossing without stopping. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who deface signs or devices or who trespass on such crossings.
(Sec. 8) Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to require the Secretary to issue regulations establishing sanctions and penalties for persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle and violate laws pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings.
(Sec. 9) Requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Office of Motor Carrier Safety within the Federal Highway Administration, to cooperate with the National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., to improve enforcement of laws pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings.