Bill

Bill > HR3773


US HR3773

US HR3773
Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015


summary

Introduced
10/20/2015
In Committee
10/21/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017

Introduced Session

114th Congress

Bill Summary

Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT), in carrying out the public transportation safety program, to: conduct inspections, investigations, audits, examinations, and testing of the equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations of the public transportation system of a recipient of financial assistance; make reports and issue directives with respect to the safety of a recipient's system; subpoena and depose any employee of a recipient or of a state safety oversight agency, subject to certain administrative requirements, in conjunction with an accident investigation or an investigation into a pattern or practice of conduct negatively affecting public safety; and investigate public transportation accidents and incidents and provide guidance to recipients regarding their prevention. DOT may also administer state safety oversight activities for a rail fixed guideway system operating in more than two states, if the state safety oversight agency overseeing the system has become incapable of providing adequate safety oversight, until the states involved develop a state safety oversight program that DOT certifies as meeting specified criteria.

AI Summary

This bill, the Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation Act of 2015, grants the Department of Transportation (DOT) expanded authority to ensure the safety of public transportation systems that receive federal financial assistance. Specifically, the DOT can now conduct thorough inspections, investigations, audits, and testing of a system's equipment, facilities, vehicles (rolling stock), and overall operations. The DOT can also issue official reports and directives concerning safety, and in cases of accident investigations or investigations into unsafe practices, the DOT can subpoena and depose employees of the transportation system or state safety oversight agencies, provided certain conditions are met to avoid interfering with criminal investigations. Furthermore, the DOT is empowered to investigate public transportation accidents and incidents, offering guidance to prevent future occurrences. In situations where a state safety oversight agency responsible for a rail system operating in multiple states is unable to provide adequate oversight, the DOT can temporarily take over these oversight activities until the states establish their own certified safety programs.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. (on 10/21/2015)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...