Tagged: railroads

This bill prohibits the state of California from receiving federal funds for a high-speed rail corridor development project. Specifically, the prohibition applies to a project in California that is the same or substantially similar to the project that is the subject of an FY2010 cooperative agreement entered into on November 18, 2011, between the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).As background, CHSRA has received various federal grants for the California High-Speed Rail program, a project led by the state of California with the goal of implementing a high-speed rail system capable of speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The FRA terminated the specific FY2010 cooperative agreement on May 16, 2019.

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers ActThis bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act, with exceptions.Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply to any portion or portions of a meeting that Amtrak properly determines are likely to involvecontract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise Amtrak’s competitive position;collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in an agreement; andmatters involving the employment, appointment, termination, terms and conditions of employment, performance evaluation, promotion, or disciplining of a current or prospective Amtrak officer, employee, or contractor (unless all affected individuals request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting).

Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2025This bill prohibits federal agencies from imposing a mandate related to COVID-19 that requires the use of face masks on conveyances (e.g., planes, trains, and buses) and at transportation hubs.Further, the bill nullifies (1) the emergency order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 29, 2021, that mandates such use of face masks on public and commercial conveyances and at transportation hubs, and (2) orders and directives of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that relate to the CDC order.As background, the CDC and TSA ceased enforcement of the emergency order following an April 18, 2022, court order. Further, the COVID-19 public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023.