Transportation Safety Act

Transportation Safety Act - Title I: Hazardous Materials - Hazardous Materials Transportation Act - Provides that upon finding that the transportation of a particular quantity and form of material in commerce may pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property, the Secretary of Transportation shall designate such quantity and form of material or group or class of such materials as a hazardous material.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations for the safe transportation in commerce of hazardous materials, in cooperation with the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Authorizes the Secretary to establish criteria for the handling of "extremely hazardous material." Requires transporters of such materials to register with the Secretary.

Prohibits transportation of radioactive materials on passenger-carrying aircraft in commerce, unless such materials are for research or medical use. Empowers the Secretary to investigate, issue subpenas, and conduct research in carrying out this Act.

Imposes a $10,000 per day civil penalty for violations of this Act, and a $25,000 fine and/or up to five years imprisonment for knowing violations of this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary and citizens to seek legal relief from violations of this Act.

Empowers citizens to petition the Secretary to designate materials as hazardous or extremely hazardous, and to commence action in Federal district court if the Secretary fails to act.

Requires compliance with this Act within two years.

Authorizes the appropriation of necessary sums, not to exceed $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, to carry out this Act.

Title II: Rail Safety - Rail Safety Improvement Act - Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit a comprehensive rail safety report for the President and Congress by March 17, 1976.

Requires the report to include identification of: (1) rail safety areas for which standards have not been issued; (2) more cost-effective methods of inspection and enforcement of Federal rail safety standards; and (3) State roles in implementation of standards.

Authorizes and allocates the appropriation of $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the Federal Railroad Safety Act.

Authorizes the issuance of cease and desist orders for violations of this Act. Authorizes citizens to petition the Secretary, with appeal to a Federal district court, for issuance or revocation of regulations under this Act.

Title III: Independent Safety Board - Independent Safety Board Act - Establishes the National Transportation Safety Board, now within the Transportation Department, as an independent agency. Prescribes the organization of the Board, and requires the President to name a Chairman of such Board (subject to Senate confirmation) by April 1, 1975.

Requires the Board to: (1) investigate specified air crashes, marine casualties, motor carrier accidents, railroad accidents, pipeline accidents, and highway accidents; (2) study transportation safety; and (3) review actions of the Secretary on specified certificate and license decisions.

Grants subpena and inspection powers to the Board.

Authorizes the Board to issue or rescind regulations to carry out this Act.

Empowers the Board to intervene in Federal agency and State and local agency and court proceedings affecting transportation safety.

Prescribes inclusions in the Board's annual reports.

Makes the Board's documents available to the public.

Requires the Secretary to respond to the Board's recommendations.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act of $14,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $16,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $18,000,000 for fiscal year 1977.

Title IV: Regional Rail Reorganization - Extends the planning dates and increases the administrative expense allowances under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act.

Sets forth properties qualified for rail service continuation subsidies under such Act.