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HR 5216 107th Congress House

National Defense Rail Act

Official title: To establish a national rail passenger transportation system, reauthorize Amtrak, improve security and service on Amtrak, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 25, 2002 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 29, 2002
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1470)
Jul 26, 2002
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Jul 25, 2002
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jul 25, 2002
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 29, 2002

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1470)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
National Defense Rail Act - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak security assistance. Requires studies or assessments of: (1) foreign rail transport security programs; (2) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening; (3) existing rail safety regulations; (4) security priorities; and (5) rail crossing delay security issues.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings.

Requires such projects to comply with specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act.

Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for principal and interest, compliance with environmental laws, and improving accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes.

Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations.

Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees.

Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 2 Independent 1
CHRISTENSEN, DONNA
· Jul 25, 2002
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jul 25, 2002
FROST, MARTIN
· Jul 25, 2002
LUCAS, KEN
· Jul 25, 2002
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · Jul 25, 2002
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Jul 25, 2002
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5216: National Defense Rail Act. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5216/
MLA
"H.R. 5216: National Defense Rail Act." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5216/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5216, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5216/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5216: National Defense Rail Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5216/)
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