Bill Summary
This bill, known as the "Improving the Metra Commuter Experience Act of 2020", aims to address an issue related to Amtrak and its operations. The main focus of the bill is to transfer operational control of Chicago Union Station from Amtrak to Metra. This means that Metra will have control over track, signal, and railroad operations outside of the station building. Amtrak will still have control over certain aspects such as dispatching of intercity trains and baggage handling. The bill also states that Amtrak must cover the operating and capital costs for its operations at the station, and must also contribute to the joint costs with Metra. If Amtrak does not comply with the terms outlined in the bill, a penalty of 5% of their unobligated funds will be withheld. The bill also includes definitions for key terms such as "Secretary" (Secretary of Transportation), "Amtrak" (National Passenger Rail Corporation), "Chicago Union Station" (the station in question), "Metra" (Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation), and "Operational Control" (which is defined in section 2(b) of the bill). Overall, this legislation aims to improve the experience of commuters using Chicago Union Station by giving Metra more control over operations.
Possible Impacts
1. If a person is a regular Amtrak commuter, they may be affected by the change in operational control of Chicago Union Station to Metra. This could mean changes in the management, maintenance, and policing of the station, which could potentially impact their commute experience.
2. If a person works for Metra, they may be affected by the new responsibilities outlined in the bill, such as the joint policing of the station or the maintenance of certain platforms and tracks. This could mean changes in their job duties and workload.
3. If a person is a taxpayer, they may be affected by the potential penalty for Amtrak's failure to comply with the bill. Withholding funds from Amtrak could impact their taxes and how those funds are allocated.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6226 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6226
To address an issue with respect to Amtrak, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 12, 2020
Mr. Lipinski introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To address an issue with respect to Amtrak, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act shall be known as the ``Improving the Metra Commuter
Experience Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF CHICAGO UNION STATION.
(a) In General.--No later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, Amtrak shall transfer operational control, as defined in
this section, of Chicago Union Station to Metra.
(b) Operational Control.--
(1) Shall mean certain control over track, signal, and
railroad operations outside the Chicago Union Station building,
colloquially known as ``outside the glass doors'', including
the following:
(A) Dispatching of local trains from Canal Street
to Alton Junction out of Metra's Consolidated Control
Facility.
(B) Joint policing of Chicago Union Station, with
each respective police force having separate areas of
primary responsibility. Metra's primary patrol
responsibilities shall be the passenger concourse, the
platforms, and areas immediately outside the glass
doors.
(C) Maintenance and capital improvement of
passenger platforms, tracks, and signals from Canal
Street to Roosevelt Road.
(2) Shall not mean the following:
(A) Any dispatching of intercity trains outside the
Chicago Union Station terminal.
(B) Any dispatching of Amtrak yard movements.
(C) Any maintenance or other obligations related to
the overbuilds above the tracks at Chicago Union
Station.
(D) Any baggage handling related to Amtrak's
operations.
(c) Congressional Intent.--It is the intent of Congress that under
the agreement required by this section--
(1) Amtrak should pay operating and capital costs incurred
at Chicago Union Station for Amtrak's sole benefit;
(2) Amtrak should pay an allocated portion of those
operating and capital costs incurred at Chicago Union Station
for Amtrak's and Metra's joint benefit; and
(3) Metra shall not make payment to operate outside of the
glass doors.
SEC. 3. SECRETARY VERIFICATION.
One hundred eighty (180) days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to whether
Amtrak has complied with section 2 of this Act.
SEC. 4. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY.
If the Secretary notifies the relevant committees, as required by
section 3 of this Act, that Amtrak has failed to comply with section 2
of this Act, the Secretary shall withhold 5 percent of the unobligated
balance of funds for Amtrak made available by Public Law 116-94 or by
any law providing appropriations that is enacted subsequent to the date
of enactment of such Act until the Secretary has notified the relevant
committees that Amtrak is in compliance with this Act.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
The following definitions shall apply in this Act:
(a) Secretary.--In this Act, ``Secretary'' shall mean the
Secretary of Transportation.
(b) National Passenger Rail Corporation (Amtrak).--``Amtrak'' means
the entity established in section 301 of Public Law 91-518.
(c) Chicago Union Station.--``Chicago Union Station'' means the
passenger train station located at 225 South Canal Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60606, and its associated facilities.
(d) Metra.--``Metra'' means the Northeast Illinois Regional
Commuter Railroad Corporation.
(e) Operational Control.--``Operational Control'' shall mean the
definition established in section 2(b).
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