To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line.

January 28, 2003

Mr. GREEN of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line.

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 may be cited as the `Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act'.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT.

Section 10901 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:

`(e) In determining whether to issue a certificate authorizing the construction of an additional railroad line, or the construction of an extension to any railroad line, the Board shall give greater weight to local official statements and public comments in opposition to the proposed construction, especially with respect to construction in a residential area, if there is an an unusually high level of such public opposition.

`(f) Before issuing a certificate under this section authorizing the construction of an additional railroad line, or the construction of an extension to any railroad line, the Board shall identify any disproportionate negative impacts on any socioeconomic population, and shall include a discussion of alternatives that were considered that would have avoided such disproportionate negative impacts.

`(g) If the Board receives information indicating that an applicant for a certificate under this section has provided to the Board false information that could materially affect the Board's determination, the process of considering the application shall be halted until the Board has determined whether such information has been provided, and whether the information was knowingly provided. If the Board determines that such information has been provided unknowingly, the Board shall require the applicant to provide correct information before the process may resume. If the Board determines that such information has been provided knowingly, the Board shall not issue a certificate pursuant to that application.'.

END