Sec. 119. AskRail application
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/bill/119/hr/7662/ih/section-119·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In order to be eligible for financial assistance under section 22907 or 24911 of title 49, United States Code, a State department of transportation shall notify first responders about the AskRail application, if a Class 1 railroad operates within the State, not later than 180 days after receiving such financial assistance. If a State is subject to subsection (a), each State department of transportation shall submit to the Federal Rail Administration— evidence of the notification required under such subsection; and a certification that such State has completed the requirement.
The Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration shall establish a pilot program to support connectivity for the AskRail application for first responders during railway accidents. In carrying out this subsection, the Administrator, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, shall identify and prioritize areas along the national rail network in most need of connectivity.
In carrying out the pilot program required under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, solicit proposals from entities or coalitions of entities to conduct activities under the pilot program; and enter into cooperative agreements with at least 1 but not more than 4 entities to undertake activities under the pilot program, which may include past performance and experience with— deploying connectivity technology and infrastructure in rural and remote locations, including satellite broadband technology, supplemental coverage from space, or fixed wireless technology; and contracting with emergency response providers, including Federal, State, and local governmental and nongovernmental emergency public safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities.
In carrying out the pilot program required under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall contract with eligible entities to provide broadband internet access service, fixed wireless technology or supplemental coverage from space. An eligible entity to carry out activities under the pilot program includes— a broadband internet access service provider; a satellite internet provider; and a provider of supplemental coverage from space or fixed wireless technology. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2029, to remain available until expended.
Not later than 1 year after the conclusion of the pilot program, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on— the effectiveness and usage of the technologies or infrastructure utilized and deployed in such program; recommendations about their suitability for deployment across further portions of the national rail network; and recommendations to update grant priorities and eligibility guidance for administering railway safety Federal grant and loan programs to encourage investing in and modernizing emergency communications capabilities, including satellite internet providers, fixed wireless technology, and the nationwide public safety broadband network, as defined in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ( 47 U.S.C. 1401 ).
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Sec. 119
AskRail application
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