High Speed Rail Transportation Policy and Development Act

High Speed Rail Transportation Policy and Development Act - Amends the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982 to require the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration to submit to specified congressional committees a study of the commercial feasibility of constructing one or more high speed rail transportation systems in the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to establish a National High Speed Rail Transportation Policy to promote the design, construction, and operation of high speed rail transportation systems in the United States.

Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to guarantee obligations used to acquire, rehabilitate, or establish high speed rail facilities or equipment. Prohibits such guarantees until the Secretary finds, in the case of high speed rail facilities and equipment, that at least 85 percent of such items are manufactured in the United States. Requires the Secretary before extending such guarantees to receive assurances from the obligor that he or she will not use any assets from high speed rail operations for purposes other than high speed rail purposes if such use will impair the obligor's ability to provide high speed rail services in an efficient and economic manner, or will adversely affect the obligor's ability to perform any obligation guaranteed by the Secretary.

Requires the Comptroller General to report annually to specified congressional committees concerning high speed rail facilities and equipment.

 
Union Calendar No. 499
101st CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4515
[Report No. 101-799]
A BILL
To authorize a high speed rail transportation development and commercialization
program, to establish a national high speed rail transportation policy, to
promote development and commercialization of high speed rail transportation
by providing Federal guarantees of certain investments in high speed rail
transportation facilities, and for other purposes.
October 3, 1990
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
HR 4515 RH
Union Calendar No. 499
101st CONGRESS
2d Session
 H. R. 4515
[Report No. 101-799]
To authorize a high speed rail transportation development and commercialization
program, to establish a national high speed rail transportation policy, to
promote development and commercialization of high speed rail transportation
by providing Federal guarantees of certain investments in high speed rail
transportation facilities, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 4, 1990
Mr. WALGREN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
October 3, 1990
Additional sponsors: Mr. COYNE, Mr. WHITTAKER, Mr. FAWELL, Mr. FOGLIETTA,
Mr. COX, Mr. HUGHES, Mr. KOLTER, Mr. NEAL of North Carolina, Mr. SERRANO,
Mr. TOWNS, and Mr. Engel
October 3, 1990
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 4, 1990]
A BILL
To authorize a high speed rail transportation development and commercialization
program, to establish a national high speed rail transportation policy, to
promote development and commercialization of high speed rail transportation
by providing Federal guarantees of certain investments in high speed rail
transportation facilities, and for other purposes.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `High Speed Rail Transportation Policy and
  Development Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  The Congress finds that--
  (1) ensuring the competitiveness of the United States in the world market
  for advanced technologies is a national priority and that, to ensure such
  competitiveness, it is necessary for the United States to develop and
  deploy advanced technologies;
  (2) the transportation infrastructure of the United States faces severe
  operating constraints due to highway and airport congestion;
  (3) according to the Department of Transportation, more than 2,000,000,000
  production hours are lost annually because of highway congestion, costing
  the Nation approximately $80,000,000,000 per year;
  (4) according to the Department of Transportation, congestion at 34
  major United States airports will result in an estimated annual cost of
  $8,000,000,000 by 1997, even with planned capacity improvements in place;
  (5) the petroleum-based transportation modes that use the highways pose
  serious environmental problems, including air and noise pollution;
  (6) high speed rail transportation technologies offer an innovative,
  energy efficient, and environmentally sound solution to the United States
  competitiveness and transportation problems;
  (7) high speed rail transportation systems are currently operating in
  commercial service in Europe and Japan;
  (8) certain high speed rail transportation systems are capable of operating
  at speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour and could meet the need for fast,
  efficient passenger and light cargo service between cities within 100 to
  600 miles of each other;
  (9) such high speed rail transportation systems are being developed today
  in Germany and Japan using technologies which build upon research originally
  conducted in the United States;
  (10) the United States was the world leader in such technologies in the
  1960's and 1970's, but nearly all Federal research and development in this
  field ceased with the expiration of funding under the High-Speed Ground
  Transportation Act in 1975;
  (11) despite the success of both prototypes and commercial applications
  of high speed rail transportation systems in Germany and Japan, probable
  future research and development costs, high projected construction costs,
  and uncertain rates of return have discouraged the development of the
  long-term financial commitment necessary to develop and commercialize such
  technologies and systems domestically; and
  (12) the Federal Government must play a role in promoting the construction
  and commercialization of high speed rail transportation systems by--
  (A) conducting economic and technological research;
  (B) establishing a comprehensive policy for the development of such
  systems and the effective integration of the various high speed rail
  technologies; and
  (C) minimizing the long-term risks of investors.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROGRAM.
  The Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-468)
  is amended by adding at the end the following new title:
`TITLE VIII--HIGH SPEED RAIL
`SEC. 801. COMMERCIALIZATION STUDY.
  `(a) STUDY- Within 18 months after the date of enactment of this title,
  the Administrator shall complete and submit to the Committee on Energy and
  Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
  Science, and Transportation of the Senate a study of the commercial
  feasibility of constructing one or more high speed rail transportation
  systems in the United States. Such study shall consist of--
  `(1) an economic and financial analysis;
  `(2) a technical assessment; and
  `(3) recommendations for model legislation for State and local governments
  to facilitate construction of high speed rail transportation systems.
  `(b) ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS- The economic and financial analysis
  described in subsection (a)(1) shall include--
  `(1) an examination of the potential market for a nationwide high speed
  rail transportation network;
  `(2) an examination of the potential markets for short-haul high speed
  rail transportation systems and for intercity and long-haul high speed
  rail transportation systems, including an assessment of--
  `(A) the current transportation practices and trends in each market; and
  `(B) the extent to which high speed rail transportation systems would relieve
  the current or anticipated congestion on other modes of transportation;
  `(3) projections of the costs of designing, constructing, and operating
  high speed rail transportation systems, the extent to which such systems
  can recover their costs (including capital costs), and the alternative
  methods available for private and public financing;
  `(4) a comparison of the projected costs of the various competing high
  speed rail transportation technologies;
  `(5) recommendations for funding mechanisms, tax incentives, liability
  provisions, and changes in statutes and regulations necessary to facilitate
  the development of individual high speed rail systems and the completion
  of a nationwide high speed rail transportation network;
  `(6) an examination of the effect of the construction and operation of high
  speed rail transportation systems on regional employment and economic growth;
  `(7) recommendations for the roles appropriate for local, regional, and State
  governments to facilitate construction of high speed rail transportation
  systems, including the roles of regional economic development authorities;
  `(8) an assessment of the potential for a high speed rail transportation
  technology export market;
  `(9) recommendations regarding the coordination and centralization of
  Federal efforts relating to high speed rail;
  `(10) an examination of the role of the National Railroad Passenger
  Corporation in the development and operation of high speed rail systems; and
  `(11) any other economic or financial analyses the Administrator considers
  important for carrying out this title.
  `(c) TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT- The technical assessment described in subsection
  (a)(2) shall include--
  `(1) an examination of the various technologies developed for use in the
  transportation of passengers by high speed rail, including a comparison
  of the safety (including dangers associated with grade crossings), energy
  efficiency, operational efficiencies, and environmental impacts of each
  system;
  `(2) an examination of the potential of United States industries to
  participate in the development and manufacture of high speed rail systems,
  including the potential to `leapfrog', or exceed, existing high speed rail
  transportation technologies and produce a superior domestic product;
  `(3) an examination of the work being done to establish safety standards
  for high speed rail transportation as a result of the enactment of section
  7 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988;
  `(4) an examination of the need to establish appropriate technological,
  quality, and environmental standards for high speed rail transportation
  systems;
  `(5) an examination of the significant unresolved technical issues
  surrounding the design, engineering, construction, and operation of high
  speed rail transportation systems, including the potential for the use of
  existing rights-of-way;
  `(6) an examination of the effects on air quality, energy consumption,
  noise, land use, health, and safety as a result of the decreases in traffic
  volume on other modes of transportation that are expected to result from
  the full-scale development of high speed rail transportation systems; and
  `(7) any other technical assessments the Administrator considers important
  for carrying out this title.
  `(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated
  to the Federal Railroad Administration for the purpose of carrying out
  this section, $12,000,000, to remain available until expended.
`SEC. 802. NATIONAL HIGH SPEED RAIL TRANSPORTATION POLICY.
  `(a) ISSUANCE- Within 6 months after the submission of the study required
  under section 801(a), the Administrator shall establish the National High
  Speed Rail Transportation Policy (hereafter in this section referred to
  as the `Policy').
  `(b) PROVISIONS- The Policy shall include--
  `(1) provisions to promote the design, construction, and operation of high
  speed rail transportation systems in the United States;
  `(2) a determination whether the various competing high speed rail
  transportation technologies can be effectively integrated into a national
  network and, if not, whether one or more such technologies should receive
  preferential encouragement from the Federal Government to enable the
  development of such a national network;
  `(3) a strategy for prioritizing the markets and corridors in which
  the construction of high speed rail transportation systems should be
  encouraged; and
  `(4) provisions designed to promote American competitiveness in the market
  for high speed rail transportation technologies.
  `(c) PUBLIC COMMENT AND CONSULTATION- The Administrator shall solicit
  comments from the public in the development of the Policy and may consult
  with other Federal agencies as appropriate in drafting such Policy.
`SEC. 803. DEFINITIONS.
  `As used in this title--
  `(1) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Federal
  Railroad Administration; and
  `(2) the term `high speed rail' means any railroad, as such term is
  defined in section 202(e) of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
  (45 U.S.C. 431(e)), providing transportation service which is--
  `(A) reasonably expected to reach sustained speeds of 150 miles per hour
  or more; and
  `(B) made available to members of the general public as passengers.'.
SEC. 4. GUARANTEE OF OBLIGATIONS.
  Section 511 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976
  (45 U.S.C. 831) is amended--
  (1) in subsection (a)--
  (A) by inserting `(1)' after `shall be or have been used';
  (B) by striking `or' after `car management systems),' and inserting in
  lieu thereof `(2)'; and
  (C) by inserting `, or (3) to acquire, rehabilitate, improve, develop,
  or establish high speed rail facilities or equipment' after `new railroad
  facilities';
  (2) in subsection (g)--
  (A) by inserting `or high speed rail services' after `rail services'
  both places it appears in paragraph (3);
  (B) by inserting `or passengers' after `provide shippers' in paragraph (3);
  (C) by striking `or improved' and inserting in lieu thereof `improved,
  developed, or established' in paragraph (4);
  (D) by striking `improved, rehabilitated, or acquired' and inserting in
  lieu thereof `acquired, rehabilitated, improved, developed, or established'
  in paragraph (5);
  (E) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (5);
  (F) by inserting `or high speed rail carrier' after `affected railroad'
  in paragraph (6);
  (G) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting in
  lieu thereof `; and'; and
  (H) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
  `(7) in the case of high speed rail facilities and equipment, at least
  85 percent of such facilities and equipment are mined, produced, or
  manufactured in the United States.';
  (3) in subsection (i)(1)--
  (A) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
  `(B)(i) will not use any funds or assets from railroad operations for
  nonrail purposes; and
  `(ii) will not use any funds or assets from high speed rail operations
  for purposes other than high speed rail purposes,'; and
  (B) by inserting `or high speed rail services' after `provide rail
  services'; and
  (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  `(n) DEFINITION- As used in this section, the term `high speed rail'
  has the meaning given such term in section 803(2) of the Rail Safety and
  Service Improvement Act of 1982.'.
SEC. 5. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE STUDY.
  The Comptroller General, within 2 years after the date of enactment of
  this Act, and annually thereafter, shall analyze the effectiveness of the
  application of section 511 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory
  Reform Act of 1976 to high speed rail facilities and equipment, and report
  the results of such analysis to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
  of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
  and Transportation of the Senate.