Amtrak Transparency Act
Amtrak Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Amtrak Transparency Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Amtrak Transparency Act would require the national passenger rail service to operate with greater public oversight and disclosure. If passed, Amtrak's Board of Directors would have to follow federal open meeting rules, post meeting announcements and agendas at least 30 days in advance, and hold an annual meeting with state transportation departments. The bill would also require Amtrak to publicly disclose executive bonus payments and share major vendor contracts (worth $250,000 or more) with states that operate rail routes. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill primarily affects Amtrak leadership, employees receiving bonuses, and state governments that partner with Amtrak on rail service.
It could also impact the general public by making Amtrak operations more transparent. Currently, the bill (S. 174) is in committee in the 119th Congress and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Amtrak Transparency ActThis bill increases Amtrak's open meeting and public disclosure requirements.Specifically, the Amtrak Board of Directors must comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act.In addition, at least 30 days prior to the board convening, the board must publicly post an announcement of the meeting and the anticipated meeting agenda.The board must also annually convene a meeting to which state departments of transportation with long-distance routes or state-supported routes are invited to participate.Further, Amtrak must publicly disclose the discretionary bonus compensation paid to an Amtrak officer or non-bargaining unit employee.Upon request, Amtrak must also disclose to a state or the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee vendor agreements of $250,000 or more for certain services on state-supported routes.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.