Committee Passes Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization and Federal Railroad Safety Improvement
July 17, 2003
Washington, DC – The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved by voice vote S. 1389, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2003 and S. 1402, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act.
The Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for fiscal years 2004 through 2008, and make the Board’s Chairmanship position subject to Senate confirmation, similar to other Boards and Commissions throughout the federal government. Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Hollings (D-SC) introduced the bill on July 10, 2003.
The Committee adopted the following amendments to S. 1389:
· An amendment offered by Senators McCain and Hollings to require the STB to establish an expedited procedure for small rate challenges.
Click here for a PDF version of the McCain/Hollings amendment.
· An amendment offered by Senators Smith (R-OR) and Wyden (D-OR) to adopt an agreement negotiated by large railroads and labor unions allowing the labor organizations to select the collective bargaining agreements that would apply as a result of any future mergers or consolidations involving the signatories.
Click here for a PDF version of the Smith/Wyden amendment.
The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act would reauthorize the federal rail safety program for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. It would also formally establish a national crossing inventory; direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to develop a plan for a joint initiative with the states to reduce the number of railroad grade crossings by 10% over a 10-year period; establish a working group within the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to consider how to improve fatigue management for railroad employees subject to hours of service law; and require the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to execute a memorandum of understanding with respect to railroad security matter within 60 days following enactment. Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Hollings (D-SC) introduced the bill on July 14, 2003. The Committee adopted the following amendments to S. 1402:
· Two amendments by Senator Boxer (D-CA): 1) to require a study of the impact of blocked highway-railroad grade crossings on emergency response efforts; and 2) to require the establishment of federal procedures for railroads to use to notify first responders in communities in the event of a runaway train, and to require railroads to report any incidence of a runaway train to the Department of Transportation.
Click here for a PDF version of the first Boxer amendment.
Click here for a PDF version of the second Boxer amendment.
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· An amendment offered by Senators McCain and Hollings to require the STB to establish an expedited procedure for small rate challenges.
· An amendment offered by Senators Smith (R-OR) and Wyden (D-OR) to adopt an agreement negotiated by large railroads and labor unions allowing the labor organizations to select the collective bargaining agreements that would apply as a result of any future mergers or consolidations involving the signatories.
The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act would reauthorize the federal rail safety program for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. It would also formally establish a national crossing inventory; direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to develop a plan for a joint initiative with the states to reduce the number of railroad grade crossings by 10% over a 10-year period; establish a working group within the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to consider how to improve fatigue management for railroad employees subject to hours of service law; and require the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to execute a memorandum of understanding with respect to railroad security matter within 60 days following enactment. Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Hollings (D-SC) introduced the bill on July 14, 2003. The Committee adopted the following amendments to S. 1402:
· Two amendments by Senator Boxer (D-CA): 1) to require a study of the impact of blocked highway-railroad grade crossings on emergency response efforts; and 2) to require the establishment of federal procedures for railroads to use to notify first responders in communities in the event of a runaway train, and to require railroads to report any incidence of a runaway train to the Department of Transportation.
