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S 1361 99th Congress Senate

Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to provide for the transfer of ownership of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to the private sector, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 26, 1985 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Claims against common carriersConsolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail)Corporation directorsCorporations and Stocks
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Employee benefit plansGovernment liabilityIncome taxLabor and EmploymentRailroad financeRailroadsStocksTax administration
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 26, 1985
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jun 26, 1985
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action June 26, 1985

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 and the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to terminate the authority of the United States Railway Association (the Association) to purchase certain Conrail stock.

Releases any Conrail director from liability for implementing in good faith the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to execute and deliver Purchase Agreements on behalf of the United States no later than ten days following the date of enactment of this Act. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the sale of Conrail; (2) the cancellation of Conrail debt and preferred stock; (3) public interest covenants; and (4) accounting determinations.

Makes Conrail responsible for funding all labor protection benefits after the closing date, and absolves the United States from any liability for such benefits after that date.

Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments and Repeals - Defines "Purchasers" to mean the investor group organized by Morgan Stanley and Company, Inc., to purchase the Federal interest in Conrail common stock as identified in the Shareholders' Agreement. Defines "Shareholders' Agreement" as the agreement among the Purchasers, Conrail, and Morgan Stanley and Company, Inc. in the form filed with the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate.

Title III: Revenue Provisions - Provides guidelines for the tax treatment of Conrail after the closing date. Specifies the earnings and profits which Conrail shall be deemed to have accumulated as of the closing date. Closes the Conrail taxable year upon the closing date.

Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Retains the common carrier status of Conrail after the sale. Provides that purchase of Conrail stock shall not be the sole basis of a determination that a purchaser has become a common carrier by railroad under Federal law.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1361: Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1361/
MLA
"S. 1361: Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1361/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1361, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1361/.
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[S. 1361: Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1361/)
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