PUBLIC LAW 109–59—AUG. 10, 2005
119 STAT. 1925
‘‘(2) initiate a rulemaking to develop and implement appropriate design standards for pressurized tank cars within 18 months after the date of enactment of this section. ‘‘(b) OLDER TANK CAR IMPACT RESISTANCE ANALYSIS AND REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this section the Federal Railroad Administration shall conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine the impact resistance of the steels in the shells of pressure tank cars constructed before 1989. Within 6 months after completing that analysis the Administration shall transmit a report, including recommendations for reducing any risk of catastrophic fracture and separation of such cars, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.’’. (2) TABLE OF SECTIONS AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
Regulations.
‘‘20155. Tank cars.’’. SEC. 9006. ALASKA RAILROAD.
(a) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to the Alaska Railroad for capital rehabilitation and improvements benefiting its passenger operations. (b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.
45 USC 1207 note.
SEC. 9007. STUDY OF RAIL TRANSPORTATION AND REGULATION.
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall enter into an arrangement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of the Nation’s railroad transportation system since the enactment of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. The study shall address and make recommendations on— (1) the performance of the Nation’s major railroads regarding service levels, service quality, and rates; (2) the projected demand for freight transportation over the next two decades and the constraints limiting the railroads’ ability to meet that demand; (3) the effectiveness of public policy in balancing the need for railroads to earn adequate returns with those of shippers for reasonable rates and adequate service; and (4) the future role of the Surface Transportation Board in regulating railroad rates, service levels, and the railroads’ common carrier obligations, particularly as railroads may become revenue adequate. (b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the Secretary and the Transportation Research Board enter into the arrangement for the study, the Secretary shall transmit the results of the study conducted under subsection (a) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation $1,000,000
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