A bill to amend the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, to modernize and reform the regulation of railroads, to allow more flexibility in establishing rates, to provide adequate prior notice of the abandonment of rail lines, and to assist in the financing of rail transportation, to develop a rolling stock scheduling and control system.
Railroad Revitalization Act - Prohibits the Interstate Commerce Commission from declaring a common carrier rate unlawful on the basis that it is too low.
Requires railroads to notify the Governor of each affected State and users and potential users before initiating rail line abandonment proceedings with the Commission. Revises standards and procedures for such abandonment proceedings.
Provides that the Commission shall have exclusive authority to determine intrastate rates if the State involved has not acted within 120 days upon a request by a railroad to change such rates.
Places specified limitations upon the Commission's power to suspend railroad rate changes.
Prohibits States from imposing discriminatory taxes upon railroads. Directs the Commission to issue regulations prescribing uniform cost and revenue accounting methods for railroads.
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to guarantee loans made to railroads for financing the acquisition and maintenance of rail transportation facilities and equipment, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000,000.
Authorizes the Secretary to require an applicant for financial assistance pursuant to this Act to enter into a merger or consolidation agreement as a condition for receiving such assistance.
Provides that such agreements shall not be subject to antitrust laws. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct research and development in order to promote a national rolling stock management information system which would be capable of expediting the movement of rolling stock on a national basis.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study respecting: (1) the costs to individual railroads of installing compatible rolling stock management information systems; and (2) the economic, safety, and service benefits to be derived from compatible systems.
Referred to House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
Introduced in Senate
Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce.
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