A bill to amend the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1980 and 1981.

(Measure passed House, amended)

Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the provisions of such Act for fiscal years 1980 and 1981.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prepare and submit to the Congress a comprehensive safety report regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. Directs that such report shall include: (1) a review of the progress made in implementing the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; (2) an analysis of the manpower and funding needs of the Department of Transportation and the Materials Transportation Bureau for regulating transportation of such materials; (3) an analysis of the relationship between Federal Government and nongovernmental organizations in performing certain regulatory functions; (4) an analysis of the existing system of compensation for incidents involving such materials and an evaluation of the merits of establishing a Federal Hazardous Materials Compensation Fund; (5) an analysis of the desirability of establishing a Federal grant program to encourage State and local government inspection and compliance programs; (6) a survey and summary of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations involving such materials; (7) an analysis of the effects of regulations on farming and ranching operations; (8) an analysis of the type of routes over which nuclear material may be transported; and (9) an analysis of all training and education programs relating to the transportation of hazardous materials.

Directs that such report be prepared in consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Transportation Safety Board, the National Academy of Sciences, officials of State and local governments, and other interested organizations and persons.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to study and report to Congress with recommendations concerning the regulation of the transportation of nuclear materials by rail carrier. Enumerates the matters that should be evaluated, including: (1) the adequacy of existing regulations; (2) criteria for the type of route over which such materials may be transported; (3) advantages and disadvantages of other modes of transportation; (4) possibility of sabotage or vandalism; (5) the need to preempt local and State laws; and (6) the need to notify local and State officials of the transportation of such materials.