Sec. 306. Integrated passenger rail working group
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Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convene a working group to review issues relating to— the potential operation of State-supported routes by rail passenger carriers other than Amtrak; and their role in establishing an integrated intercity passenger rail network in the United States. The working group shall consist of a balanced representation of— the Federal Railroad Administration, who shall chair the Working Group; States that fund State-sponsored routes; independent passenger rail operators, including those that carry at least 5,000,000 passengers annually in United States or international rail service;
Amtrak; railroads that host intercity State-supported routes; employee representatives from railroad unions and building trade unions with substantial engagement in railroad rights of way construction and maintenance; and other entities determined appropriate by the Secretary. The working group shall evaluate options for improving State-supported routes and may make recommendations, as appropriate, regarding— best practices for State or State authority governance of State-supported routes; future sources of Federal and non-Federal funding sources for State-supported routes; best practices in obtaining passenger rail operations and services on a competitive basis with the objective of creating the highest quality service at the lowest cost to the taxpayer; ensuring potential interoperability of State-supported routes as a part of a national network with multiple providers providing integrated services including ticketing, scheduling, and route planning; and the interface between State-supported routes and connecting commuter rail operations, including maximized intra-modal and intermodal connections and common sources of funding for capital projects.
Not later than 60 days after the establishment of the working group by the Secretary under subsection (a), the working group shall convene an organizational meeting outside of the District of Columbia and shall define the rules and procedures governing the proceedings of the working group. The working group shall hold at least 3 meetings per year in States that fund State-supported routes. Not later than 1 year after the date the working group is established, the working group shall submit a preliminary report to the Secretary, the Governors of States funding State-supported routes, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate , and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that includes— administrative recommendations that can be implemented by a State and State authority or by the Secretary; and preliminary legislative recommendations.
Not later than 2 years after the date the working group is established, the working group shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that includes final legislative recommendations.