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Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005

Introduced: January 4, 2005 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 9, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.
Jan 5, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines.
Jan 5, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Jan 4, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security (Select), and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 4, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E21)
Jan 4, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005 - Directs the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security to complete a vulnerability assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review existing Department of Transportation (DOT) rail regulations to identify areas for revision to improve rail security.

Directs the Comptroller General to study the rail passenger transportation security programs in Japan, the European Union (EU), and other foreign countries in order to identify effective rail transportation security measures.

Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) analyze the cost and feasibility of requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and mail on passenger trains; and (2) conduct a pilot program of random security screening at five Amtrak passenger rail stations.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that DOT receives timely notification, through the Information Sharing and Analysis Center for Public Transportation, of all credible terrorist threats against public transportation assets.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to award research, development, and demonstration grants to reduce and deter terrorist threats against public transportation systems.

Amends Federal transportation law to direct Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents.

Authorizes the Under Secretary to make grants for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight, hazardous materials transportation, and passenger rail security upgrades.

Directs the Federal Railroad Administration to set forth certain standards for welded rail and tank car safety improvements.

Requires the Under Secretary to assess the current system for preclearance and screening of rail and airline passengers and baggage, as well as freight railroad traffic, between the United States and Canada, including progress on a rail passenger preclearance protocol.

Authorizes the Under Secretary to make operating grants and capital grants for mass transportation system security improvements.

What's happening now March 9, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1379 Related bill Rail Security Act of 2005
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 7
D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Sep 13, 2005
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Sep 13, 2005
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Apr 26, 2005
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Apr 19, 2005
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Apr 5, 2005
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Apr 5, 2005
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Apr 5, 2005
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 153: Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-153/
MLA
"H.R. 153: Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-153/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 153, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-153/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 153: Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-153/)
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