[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3726 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3726
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a Center of
Excellence to advance rail research and development.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2021
Ms. Newman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
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A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a Center of
Excellence to advance rail research and development.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. RAIL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.
Section 20108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(d) Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence.--
``(1) Center of excellence.--The Secretary shall establish
a center of excellence to carry out research and development
that improves the safety, efficiency and reliability of
passenger and freight rail transportation.
``(2) Selection of host institution.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall select an
institution of higher education, or a consortium of
institutions of higher education, to host and maintain
the center of excellence established under paragraph
(1).
``(B) Selection criteria.--In selecting a such an
institution, the Secretary shall--
``(i) give preference to applicants with
strong past performance related to rail
research, education, and workforce development
activities;
``(ii) consider the extent to which the
applicant would involve public and private
sector passenger and freight railroad
operators; and
``(iii) consider the regional and national
impacts of the applicant's proposed research
and development activities.
``(3) Use of funds.--The institution of higher education
may use funds provided under this subsection to carry out basic
and applied research, evaluation, education, workforce
development, and training efforts related to safety,
efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability of
commuter rail, intercity high-speed rail, and freight rail
transportation, including advances in rolling stock, advanced
positive train control, human factors, rail infrastructure,
shared corridors, grade crossing safety, inspection technology,
remote sensing, rail systems maintenance, network resiliency,
operational reliability, energy efficiency, and advanced
technologies.
``(4) Federal share.--The Federal share of a grant under
this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent of the costs of
establishing and operating the center of excellence and related
research activities carried out by the grant recipient.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--
``(A) Fiscal year 2022.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $7,500,000 for fiscal
year 2022 for a grant under this subsection.
``(B) Fiscal years 2023 through 2026.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such
sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years
2022 through 2026 for a grant under this subsection.
``(C) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to this paragraph shall remain available until
expended.
``(6) Institution of higher education defined.--In this
subsection, the term `institution of higher education' has the
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).''.
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