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HR 2726 108th 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 15, 2003 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works AccountingAdministrative procedureAdvice and consent of the SenateAlaska
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 16, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Jul 15, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jul 15, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 16, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
National Defense Rail Act - Requires studies or assessments of: (1) security risks associated with freight and intercity passenger rail transportation; (2) security priorities; (3) rail crossing delay security issues; (4) existing rail safety regulations; (5) foreign rail transport security programs; and (6) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening.

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 high-speed railway-highway crossings.

Requires such projects to comply with Buy American and competitive bidding requirements, and 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. Declares that nothing in this Act is intended to preclude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for retirement of principal and interest on its debt service, and for improving accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, including compliance with environmental regulations. 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 and the development of a five-year financial plan.

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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 104 Companion bill National Defense Rail Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jul 15, 2003
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jul 15, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2726: National Defense Rail Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2726/
MLA
"H.R. 2726: National Defense Rail Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2726/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2726, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2726/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2726: National Defense Rail Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2726/)
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