zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems Act or the RAILS Act

This bill revises the railroad safety technology grants program. The program shall also provide for advanced communication methods for conveying hazard information between all parties in the transportation chain, spectrum acquisition, multifrequency broadband connectivity equipment, implementation and interoperability testing.

The program is extended for FY2015-FY2020.

Date: 2015-03-17
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Freight Act

 Prohibits the operation of a freight train or light locomotive engine used in the movement of freight unless it has a crew of at least two individuals, one of whom is certified by the Federal Railroad Administration as a locomotive operator and the other as a train conductor.

Date: 2015-04-13
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Tank Car Safety and Security Act of 2015 

 Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to revise federal regulations regarding DOT-111 tank cars used to move flammable liquids to: (1) improve tank car design standards for new cars to include an outer steel jacket around it and thermal protection, full-height head shields, and high-flow capacity pressure relief valves; and (2) require additional safety upgrades to tank cars built after October 2011 by including installation of such valves and design modifications to prevent bottom outlets from opening in case of accident.

Directs the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to issue regulations to require that all rail safety coordinators ensure that no tank car containing crude oil is left unattended during any period that it is being transferred between railroad carriers or between a railroad carrier and a shipper.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a plan to phase out older-model DOT-111 tank cars that are not retrofitted to meet the new federal requirements.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge Act of 2015 or the TRACK Act

 Requires railroad carriers found at fault for an unintended release of hazardous materials (hazmat) due to a railroad accident or incident during calendar year 2010 to:

 review periodically any post-accident public health assessments of hazmat-exposed individuals who could experience long-lasting or irreversible health effects; inform those individuals in a timely manner of any health information, including information on long-lasting or irreversible health consequences; and offer to renegotiate any legal settlements made to affected individuals in which additional information about potential for such consequences has been later disclosed in a post-accident public health assessment. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations:

 requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat to give first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel accurate and current commodity flow data and assist with the development of emergency operations and hazmat response plans for railroad accidents or incidents; and establishing a procedure for railroad carriers to permit a train to pass a red signal at a moveable bridge. Requires the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, to develop route safety and security risk assessment tools for short line and regional railroad carriers.

Revises the railroad safety risk reduction program by requiring railroad carriers to develop a comprehensive program to improve safety by reducing the number and rates of accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities (as under current law) through the use of safety management systems and their associated key principles, analysis of operational incidents and accidents, and continuous evaluation and improvement programs.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat to:

 give first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel real-time information regarding hazmat on the train in the event of an incident, accident, or emergency; and develop a public education program for communities along railroad hazmat routes. Prescribes certain civil penalties for any railroad carrier that violates a requirement or regulation under this Act.

Date: 2015-04-28
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Communities Act of 2015

This bill declares that the Surface Transportation Board shall not have the authority to regulate liquefied petroleum gas rail transload facilities.

Date: 2015-05-01
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to modify the description of a high priority project funded under such Act in California by replacing "constructing Arbor Vitae street improvements, Inglewood" with "constructing Imperial Highway street improvements designated by the city of Inglewood."

Date: 2015-05-14
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill prohibits any transportation by rail of crude oil with a Reid vapor pressure level greater than 8.5 psi until the Department of Transportation (DOT) establishes an appropriate national standard for the maximum volatility of crude oil to be permitted to be shipped by rail.

DOT shall establish such a national standard, after which the 8.5 psi standard required by this Act shall expire.

Date: 2015-05-15
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
NEPA Reciprocity Act

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to eliminate duplicative environmental reviews and approvals under state and federal law for rail and highway transportation projects. Authorizes a state to use state environmental review and approval laws and procedures, consistent with certain requirements, in lieu of federal environmental laws and regulations.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Cross-Border Rail Security Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to report to Congress on:

 the number of high-risk rail shipments annually entering the United States; the status of radiation detection units at each rail crossing on the northern and southern land borders of the United States; an assessment of whether additional radiation detection equipment is necessary to ensure that all high-risk cross-border rail shipments are examined with appropriate equipment; and a plan for ensuring that all relevant CBP personnel receive adequate training and guidance on the proper use of CBP's Automated Targeting System for such shipments, the use of appropriate radiation detection equipment for shipment examination, and requirements for recording examination results. The General Accountability Office shall periodically audit CBP operations at rail crossings on such borders to ensure that rail shipments are targeted and examined and that the examination results are properly documented.

Date: 2015-06-15
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
At-Grade Crossing Enhancement Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a local rail facilities and safety program to mitigate the impacts of railroad operations in local communities through improvements to highway-rail grade crossings, rail line relocation and improvement projects, and training and technical assistance to local governments. In carrying out the program, the Administration may award grants to eligible entities for freight capacity projects.

The bill defines "eligible entity" to mean one or more states, an Interstate Compact, a local government, a tribal government, or one or more metropolitan planning organizations.

A grant awarded under the program may be used for:

 a capital project to mitigate the impacts of rail infrastructure and operations on a local community; a capital project to improve short-line railroad infrastructure; training and technical assistance to help local governments better understand how to coordinate with railroad carriers on operations and safety issues and on the integration of railroad issues into land use and transportation planning processes; and payment of all or a portion of the subsidy and administrative costs of projects eligible for federal credit assistance under the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 for a capital project to improve short-line railroad infrastructure.

Date: 2015-06-25
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015

This bill extends deadlines and modifies requirements for railroad carriers and providers of intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation to implement positive train control (PTC) systems.

(A PTC system is a communications and signaling system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position. Railroads which carry passengers or have high-volume freight traffic with certain hazardous materials are required to implement a PTC system.)

Within 60 days of enactment of this bill, each Class I railroad carrier (the largest operators by revenue) and provider of intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation must submit to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a plan for implementing PTC by December 31, 2018, instead of the December 31, 2015, deadline required under current law. DOT may extend the deadline if specified requirements are met.

The revised plan must include a detailed schedule and sequence for fully implementing PTC in a manner that complies with specified regulations, and railroads must implement PTC in accordance with the plan.

DOT may authorize a railroad carrier or other entity to begin the provisional operation of a PTC system without the required certification if it is necessary to enable the safe implementation of PTC in phases.

Date: 2015-09-30
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act

This bill requires each railroad carrier on whose tracks an entity provides regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation to submit to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a list identifying each curve, bridge, tunnel, or other location where the maximum authorized operating speed for such a passenger train is at least 20 miles per hour less than the maximum approach speed. DOT must provide such information, along with a list of any additional track locations that DOT identifies as dangerous, to specified congressional committees.

DOT shall exercise its emergency authority to require:

 each such entity using a train equipped with an automatic train control system to modify such system to automatically slow down the train if it fails to comply with applicable maximum authorized speed limits at such locations, each such entity using a train not equipped with such system to provide that the train movement through such locations be made with a second qualified crew member in the cab of the controlling locomotive or with constant communication between the locomotive engineer and an additional crew member in the body of the train, and each such railroad carrier to install additional wayside signage along the carrier's tracks alerting engineers and conductors of the maximum authorized passenger train speed. DOT may exempt from these requirements any segment of track for which operations are governed by a certified positive train control system or equivalent safety technology.

Date: 2015-11-17
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act or the BRACE Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for railroad track maintenance.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Taxation
Fire Department Proper Response and Equipment Prioritization Act

This bill amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in making grants to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies, to give high priority consideration to grants that provide for planning, training, and equipment to firefighters for crude oil-by-rail and ethanol-by-rail derailment and incident response.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Emergency management
Hazardous Materials Rail Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish, within the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, a separate Hazardous Liquids Rail Spill Liability Account to support actions related to preventing and responding to discharges of oil or hazardous substances that result from rail shipments; (2) impose a fee on hazardous flammable liquids transported by rail; and (3) establish a tax credit for qualified tank-car conversion expenses.

In addition, the bill:

 expands liability with respect to discharges of hazardous substances, expands Department of Transportation (DOT) training with respect to accidents arising from rail transportation of flammable liquids or gases, establishes a High Hazard Rail Shipments Preparedness grant program, and establishes a Track Relocation and Railroad Inspection Safety grant program. The Federal Railroad Administration must implement specified recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.

DOT, the Department of Commerce, and the Energy Information Administration shall collect specified data related to high hazard rail transportation.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Community Protection and Preparedness Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), annually, to impose a $1,500 fee for each DOT-111 specification railroad tank car used to transport Class 3 flammable liquids during the previous fiscal year that did not meet DOT-117, DOT-117P, or DOT-117R specifications at the time it was used. Such fee shall be paid by each person who causes such liquids to be transported by such car in commerce and not by the railroad carrier that transports such liquids.

Collected fees shall be deposited into a Rail Account established within the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and shall be available only for: (1) the payment of removal and remediation costs and other costs, expenses, claims, and damages related to an accident or incident involving the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids by rail; and (2) DOT grants to states and Indian tribes to develop emergency plans and to train regional hazardous material emergency response teams and public employees responding to such an accident or incident.

DOT shall issue such regulations as necessary to require each Class I railroad carrier to inspect all track where an accident or incident involving the transportation by rail of flammable liquids or material poisonous or toxic by inhalation could affect a "high consequence area" (a commercially navigable waterway, an area with a high or concentrated population, or an area that is unusually sensitive to environmental damage). The inspections shall be carried out on foot and by a gage restraint measurement system. An inspector who finds a deviation from requirements regarding track safety standards shall immediately initiate remedial action.

Necessary amounts are authorized for the Federal Railroad Administration to hire at least two additional track safety specialists per region.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 2015 

This bill authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2019 for the highway safety improvement program, with $50 million set aside for each fiscal year for the Railway-Highway Crossings Program.

The limitation to three states per year is eliminated, so all states now become eligible for the award of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety improvement grants to develop or continue enhanced public education and awareness activities, in combination with targeted law enforcement, to reduce traffic law violations at highway-rail grade crossings, as well as to prevent and reduce injuries and fatalities along railroad rights-of-way. The limitation on grant amounts awarded to a state is increased from $250,000 to $2.5 million.

Eligibility requirements are revised for the award of capital grants to states under the rail line relocation and improvement program.

Increased appropriations under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 are authorized for FY2016-FY2019 for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to make grants to the Operation Lifesaver program.

The FRA shall hire:

 16 full-time grade crossing safety managers to work with state and local officials to identify safety improvements to highway-rail grade crossings; and 8 trespass prevention managers to work with local governments, schools, businesses, and railroads to develop site-specific mitigation plans. The Secretary of Transportation shall study the feasibility of requiring railroads to provide additional means for the public to report problems at highway-rail grade crossings, including via a website and text messaging.

Date: 2015-02-23
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
RESPONSE Act of 2016

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee of the National Advisory Council.

The RESPONSE Subcommittee shall develop recommendations for improving emergency responder training and resource allocation for hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents involving railroads after evaluating the following topics:

 the quality and application of training for state and local emergency responders related to rail hazmat incidents, including training for emergency responders serving small communities near railroads; the availability and effectiveness of federal, state, local, and nongovernmental funding levels related to training emergency responders for rail hazmat incidents, including emergency responders serving small communities near railroads; and the strategy for integrating commodity flow studies, mapping, and rail and hazmat databases for state and local emergency responders and increasing the rate of access to the individual responder in existing or emerging communications technology. The RESPONSE Subcommittee shall terminate within 90 days after the council submits a report approving the RESPONSE Subcommittee recommendations.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Emergency management
Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for railroad track maintenance, to: (1) expand the types of maintenance expenditures eligible for such credit, and (2) extend such credit through 2016.

Date: 2015-03-03
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Taxation
Railroad Safety and Positive Train Control Extension Act

 (Sec. 2) This bill revises the railroad safety risk reduction program.

The bill extends from December 31, 2015, to December 31, 2020, the deadline for submission to the Department of Transportation (DOT) by each Class I railroad carrier and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation of a plan for implementing a positive train control (PTC) system on certain of its tracks.

(Sec. 3) DOT may extend the implementation deadline, upon application, in one-year increments, if specified circumstances exist.

(Sec. 4) The bill directs DOT to revise federal regulations requiring a Class II or III railroad (including a tourist or excursion railroad) to extend by five years the deadlines for equipping its locomotives with an onboard PTC system to operate in PTC territory and applicable reporting requirements.

(Sec. 5) The bill requires Class I railroad carriers and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation to submit annual progress reports to DOT on the status of plans to implement a PTC system.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2015

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) may:

 issue emergency service orders covering rail carrier shipments moving under contract only if they are part of a regional service order; and require reports, service plans, or other documents that cover shipments moving under contract if such shipments are part of a general report, service plan, or other document that generally covers the geographic area or commodity. Rail carriers shall be liable to any person in federal district court for damages or equitable relief as a result of inadequate or deficient service in violation of federal law.

Civil monetary penalties for rail carriers increase from $5,000 to $25,000 per violation.

It is U.S. transportation policy to provide for and promote the protection of the shipping public.

 Shippers may obtain rates to or from any interchange points of two or more rail carriers.

When determining whether a rail carrier proposing a rate challenged as unreasonably high has market dominance over the transportation to which the rate applies, the STB shall consider that the rail carrier could have market dominance even in circumstances in which a shipper is served by two carriers.

The circumstances involving mandatory reciprocal switching agreements are changed. The STB shall now require a Class 1 rail carrier to enter into a competitive switching agreement if a shipper or receiver (or a group of shippers or receivers) files a petition that satisfies the Board that:

 the facilities of the shipper or receiver are served by rail only by a single, Class I rail carrier; and there is or can be a working interchange between the Class I rail carrier serving the shipper or receiver in question and another rail carrier within a reasonable distance of the facilities of such shipper or receiver. Competitive switching may not be imposed, however, if:

 either rail carrier between which such switching is to be established demonstrates that the proposed switching is not feasible or is unsafe, or the presence of reciprocal switching will unduly restrict the ability of a rail carrier to serve its own shippers. The STB must observe specified rules when deciding stand-alone cost cases with respect to a maximum reasonable rate.

The STB shall apply a certain formula to calculate a rail carrier's cost of capital. This replaces the current requirement that the STB determine annually which rail carriers are earning adequate revenues.

The number of STB members increases from 3 to 5, with no more than 3 of them (currently no more than 2 of them) from the same party. At least 2 members must have a background in shipping or consumer advocacy.

The STB must meet regularly.

Date: 2015-03-24
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Positive Train Control Safety Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend the deadline, in one-year increments, for implementation of positive train control systems if full implementation by the existing deadline will likely be infeasible due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and other certain other criteria are met.

Each Class I railroad carrier, and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, must submit annual progress reports to DOT on the status of fits implementation plan.

Such plans shall now be required for any such carrier or entity governing operations on a main line over which 20 or more tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil, ethanol, or other Class 3 material are transported.

DOT shall assess electromagnetic spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems.

Applicable railroad carriers shall establish a confidential close call reporting system program subject to DOT regulations.

 A railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation on high density commuter railroad lines, when performing a required inspection, shall:

 at least once each two weeks traverse each line by vehicle or inspect each main line on foot, and at least once each month traverse and inspect each siding by vehicle or by foot. DOT shall:

 study the effectiveness of positive train control and related technologies on reducing collisions at highway-rail grade crossings; and promulgate regulations to require that on-track safety programs, whenever practicable and consistent with other safety requirements and operational considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant signal protection, such as shunting, for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection.

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Pets on Trains Act of 2015

 Directs the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain Amtrak trains.

Requires Amtrak to collect a fee for each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger to cover administrative costs.

Declares that the proposed policy shall be separate from and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service animals.

Date: 2015-04-27
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill revises the limitation on passenger rail transportation liability to increase from $200 million to $500 million, adjusted annually for inflation, the aggregate allowable awards to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including any for punitive damages, arising from a single accident or incident.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must consider, within two years after enactment of this Act, whether to:

 make any needed additional adjustments to the liability cap; and establish or adjust mandatory coverage for Amtrak, any high-speed railroad authority or operator, any commuter authority or operator, any rail carrier, or any state (listed entities). The total minimum liability coverage Amtrak must maintain for claims through insurance and self-insurance shall increase from $200 million per accident or incident to $500 million, unless DOT, by regulation, determines that a different minimum level of financial responsibility is necessary or sufficient to satisfy claims.

DOT may make a grant to Amtrak or another listed entity as a reasonable reimbursement, considering ability to meet increased costs and impacts on safety and service, to offset any incremental increase in the cost of insurance resulting from this Act.

Date: 2015-05-18
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Eliminating Dangerous Oil Cars and Ensuring Community Safety Act

This bill replaces general requirements for design standards of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for pressurized tank cars with a retrofitting requirement for certain tank cars.

No rail carrier may ship on or after a specified deadline any hazardous material (hazmat) in any tank car under DOT-111 (Department of Transportation specification for a non-pressurized rail tank car) or non-jacketed Casualty Prevention Circular (CPC)-1232 (new rail tank car standards for transporting crude oil or ethanol), unless the tank car has been retrofitted in accordance with the DOT-117 specification design established by the May 2015 final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail.

DOT shall establish and begin enforcing a national maximum volatility standard for the transport of crude oil by rail or by barge.

The bill sets a maximum speed for any train carrying more than 10 cars, including at least one hazmat-carrying DOT-111 or unjacketed CPC-1232 tank car that has not been so retrofitted, of 40 miles per hour while traveling through a county (or county equivalent) with a population density of greater than 20 persons per square mile.

 In addition to certain other required track inspections, each rail carrier shall conduct, on main line routes it owns or for which it has been assigned maintenance responsibility, and over which 1 or more high-hazard flammable trains are operated:

 2 additional inspections for internal defects of all rail in Classes 3, 4, and 5 for every 40,000,000 gross tons transported on such lines, or annually, whichever interval is shorter; and 4 track geometry inspections each calendar year. Beginning on December 1, 2018, each rail line over which tank cars carrying crude oil or ethanol travel shall be equipped with a positive train control system.

Each rail carrier that transports crude oil, petroleum, or other hazardous products by rail shall develop comprehensive oil spill response plans.

The FRA shall develop a program to audit such response plans to ensure that they include comprehensive procedures for:

 preventing or mitigating a substantial threat of a worst-case discharge of such products resulting from a rail accident or incident, and responding to and cleaning up such a discharge. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall revise specified spill response planning thresholds to require comprehensive response plans to effectively provide for a carrier's ability to respond to worst-case discharges resulting from accidents involving unit trains or blocks of tank cars transporting oil and petroleum products.

Each rail carrier shall:

 establish a system through which employees may anonymously report circumstances or incidents that endanger the safety of railroad operations, and provide specified information to the FRA and the county emergency management contact (or equivalent) immediately after the derailment of any high hazard flammable train the carrier operates.

Date: 2015-05-22
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2015

Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against any common carrier that is not a rail common carrier and that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). This covers motor carriers, water carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and pipeline carriers.

Declares that, in any civil action against a rail common carrier, the U.S. district court shall not be required to defer to the primary jurisdiction of the STB.

Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions.

Permits treble damages against common carrier railroads in antitrust suits to parties injured by antitrust violations without regard to whether such railroads have filed rates or whether a complaint challenging rates has been filed.

Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements.

Requires the STB, when reviewing a proposed agreement, to take into account its impact upon shippers, consumers, and affected communities.

Exempts from antitrust law the pooling of railroad cars approved by the STB or its predecessor agency.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Commerce
Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for railroad track maintenance.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Taxation
Mandate Oil Spill Investigations and Emergency Rules (MOSIER) Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A specified amount is set-aside for costs to carry out railroad accident investigations and investigations of significant railroad incidents.

The bill requires the NTSB to investigate derailments involving a significant release of hazardous materials into the environment within close proximity to communities, personal property, or critical landscapes.

The bill expands the authority of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue emergency orders for unsafe occurrences causing, or potentially causing, an emergency or reoccurring situation involving a hazard of death, personal injury, or significant harm to the environment.

DOT shall establish and enforce a national standard for the maximum volatility of crude oil to be permitted to be shipped by rail based on the safest practicable standard.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill revises program requirements for the licensing or certification of locomotive operators by prohibiting the issuance of a license or certification to operate a commuter train to, or revoking such license or certification of, any individual whose license was denied, canceled, revoked, or suspended within the most recent five-year period due to being convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or a controlled substance.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Transportation (Railroad Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Farmers Markets Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to eligible public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers markets, or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers markets.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Farmers Markets Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to eligible public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers markets, or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers markets.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Hass Avocado Quality Assurance Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for mandatory minimum maturity standards for all domestic and imported Hass avocados sold to consumers in California. Provides exceptions for commercial processing and charitable and relief uses. Sets forth penalty provisions.

Date: 2007-04-26
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating the Farm Service Agency field office in Clark County, Indiana, until at least two years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-09-05
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Democracy for Dairy Producers Act of 2007 - Requires, with respect to a specified referendum on federal milk marketing orders and related reforms, that: (1) if a cooperative association of milk producers elects bloc voting on behalf of its members it shall provide each member with written notice of referendum issues, its intended voting position, and individual producer voting procedures; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture adjust the association vote to reflect individual producer votes.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production and marketing contracts. Sets forth agricultural and production contract and enforcement provisions. Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to eliminate the "slaughter" requirement from the definitions of "poultry grower," "poultry growing arrangement," and "live poultry dealer." States that the term "poultry grower" does not include an employee of such grower. Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; and (2) temporary injunction or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care. Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations by live poultry dealers. States that it shall be an unlawful practice to engage in an unfair or discriminatory practice or device or to control or manipulate prices regardless of whether the practice, device, or course of business causes a competitive injury or otherwise adversely effects competition, and regardless of any alleged business justification.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require that 25% of a covered packer's daily kill comes through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. Sets forth a different percentage through 2011 for covered packers who reported in the 2006 annual report that more than 75% of their livestock were captive supply livestock Defines "covered packer," "nonaffiliated producer," and "spot market sale."

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Maple-Tapping Access Program Act - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to states and tribal governments to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to: (1) voluntarily make such land available for public maple-tapping activities; or (2) initiate or expand maple-tapping activities.

Date: 2010-04-13
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to fund textile research and innovation in the U.S. textile and fiber products industry and to promote increased U.S. textile exports. Limits eligibility under such grant program to institutions of higher education and not-for-profit research institutions, including not-for-profit industry associations whose mission is to support textile research and innovation. Gives preference in the award of such grants to collaborative research organizations that emphasize peer-reviewed research by leading academic and industry experts. Requires grant funds to be used for research and development activities that achieve at least one of the goals described in this Act, including to: (1) build and sustain innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. textile industry; (2) contribute to transforming the U.S. textile and apparel industry into a highly flexible supply chain; and (3) facilitate the creation of domestic jobs in the textile industry.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require that 25% of a covered packer's daily kill comes through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. Sets forth a different percentage for covered packers who reported in the 2008 annual report that more than 75% of their livestock were captive supply livestock

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Maple Tapping Access Program Act of 2009 - Amends the the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a voluntary public access program under which states and tribal governments may apply for grants to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make such land available for public maple-tapping activities. Gives priority to states and tribal governments that propose to: (1) maximize participation by offering program terms likely to meet with landowner acceptance; (2) ensure that enrolled land has appropriate tree stock; and (3) use additional federal, state, tribal, or private resources in carrying out the program.

Date: 2009-03-09
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Beef Checkoff Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the Beef Research and Information Act to require a beef promotion and research order to provide that: (1) at least 30% of U.S. producer assessments be made available to promote and market products derived from cattle born and raised in the United States; and (2) an amount collected from importers shall be reserved to promote products derived from cattle not born and raised in the United States. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, beginning in 2010 and at least every seven years thereafter, upon receipt of a petition of a group comprising 10% or more of cattle producers, to conduct a referendum to: (1) determine whether cattle producers favor the termination or suspension of the order; and (2) vote on any other amendments to the order.

Date: 2009-05-18
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a program, to be known as the Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion Program, to promote community-supported agriculture (CSA). Defines the term "CSA" to mean a farm operated in a manner consistent with community-supported agriculture, as defined by the Secretary. States that the purposes of the program are to: (1) increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by improving and expanding, or assisting in the improvement or expansion of, domestic CSA programs; (2) aid in the development of new CSA programs; and (3) increase participation in CSA in low-income areas or food deserts. Makes nonprofit corporations, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, local governments, and public benefit corporations eligible to receive grants under the program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under the program.

Date: 2010-12-15
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a Healthy Food Financing Initiative to: (1) improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas; (2) create quality jobs; and (3) revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Date: 2011-11-30
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion Act - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion program to promote community-supported agriculture. Provides Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding for the program through FY2018.

Date: 2012-02-09
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an initiative to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible fresh food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial entry barriers in underserved areas.

Provides that funds shall be used to: (1) create revolving loan pools of capital and provide grants to finance eligible projects or partnerships, and (2) provide technical assistance and limited administrative expenses.

Requires projects to accept SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits.

Date: 2013-06-12
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Farmer Identity Protection Act - Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any EPA contractor or cooperator, from disclosing the information of any owner, operator, or employee of a livestock operation provided to EPA by a livestock producer or a state agency in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any other law, including: (1) names; (2) telephone numbers; (3) e-mail addresses; (4) physical addresses; (5) global positioning system coordinates; or (6) other information regarding the location of the owner, operator, livestock, or employee.

Prescribes criteria for such a disclosure, however, in a statistical or aggregate form without specifically identifying information.

Date: 2014-03-06
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Environmental protection
Urban Agriculture Production Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an urban agriculture outreach program to award grants to eligible entities for: (1) infrastructure, (2) land acquisition and conversion, (3) education and training, (4) assistance to farmers or ranchers in urban areas, and (5) other activities that support urban agricultural production.

Defines "eligible entities" to include a community organization, a nonprofit organization, a municipality, a local educational agency, an institution of higher education, or other entity determined by the USDA. Requires the USDA to give preference to grants for activities in historically underserved communities.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to expand the purpose and duties of the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach to include activities on behalf of urban farmers or ranchers.

Requires the USDA to award grants for scientific research on promoting and enhancing agricultural production in urban areas.

Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to expand the Farmer's Market Promotion Program by adding loans and loan guarantees, expanding assistance for development of local food business enterprises, requiring that priority be given to grants that benefit urban areas, and providing additional funding.

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and provide additional funding.

Amends the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 to require additional USDA reporting on farmers markets and agricultural production in urban areas.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Christmas Tree Tax Exclusion Act - Excludes "choose and cut" Christmas tree producers from the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which was authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 and includes an assessment on Christmas tree producers to fund a promotion, research, and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees.

Date: 2014-12-10
Topic: Agriculture (Marketing & Promotion)
Subject: Agriculture and food