Sec. 3. State rail formula funding
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/bill/119/s/2520/is/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall establish a formula grant program under which the Secretary shall award grants to States for the development of State rail plans, operations of rail service, and maintenance and expansion of rail infrastructure. Each State that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report describing how the State rail plan and activities— include a strategy— to expand passenger rail service, particularly high-performance rail service, including new routes, existing routes identified by the department of transportation of the State, and routes selected under the Corridor Identification and Development Program established under section 25101 of title 49, United States Code; and to electrify existing freight and passenger rail; and will demonstrate progress towards the goals described in subsection (c).
The goals described in this subsection are— to support the goal of achieving zero-emission locomotives by 2047; to guarantee the national rail network has the capacity to serve a significant portion of freight and passenger movement along the current and projected highest trafficked intercity corridors by 2050; to achieve zero emissions for— 50 percent of all trains by 2030; all new trains by 2035; and all locomotives by 2047; to reconnect communities divided by railroads through infrastructure improvements that expand freight and passenger rail capacity; to protect the safety and health of rail workers and nearby communities; to ensure current and future rail infrastructure is climate resilient; to realize high-quality service that is trip-time competitive with other intercity travel options; and to facilitate a viable mode shift from short-haul flights to passenger rail between targeted city pairs.
A State awarded a grant under this section may use funds from such grant to advance rail planning and operations by— hiring and retaining staff; pooling funds with other States to advance interstate initiatives and projects; making improvements to existing rail infrastructure; constructing new rail infrastructure; carrying out such other rail activities as the Secretary determines appropriate, including studying the impacts on freight rail operations and ridership and operations coordination; operating intercity passenger rail service; and preparing applications for competitive Federal grant programs.
In allocating grant funds among the States, the Administrator shall— ensure that each State receives not less than $5,000,000, annually over a 5-year period; and determine a method of apportionment that fairly distributes funds based on the existing and future demand for rail service in a State. The Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, Amtrak, and the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, shall provide technical assistance to States and communities to assist with the development of State rail plans.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $3,500,000,000 for the 5-year period beginning on October 1, 2025, to provide grants under this section.