Freights First Act

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 3893 To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail yards, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 7, 2023 Mr. BURLISON (for himself, Mr. NEHLS, Mr. PERRY, Mr. OGLES, and Ms. HAGEMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com- mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the pref- erence for Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and cross- ings near ports and rail yards, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Freights First Act’’. 4 SEC. 2. LIMITATION OF PREFERENCE FOR AMTRAK. 5 Section 24308(c) of title 49, United States Code, is 6 amended— 7 (1) by striking ‘‘Except in an emergency’’ and 8 inserting the following: 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:54 Jul 04, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H3893.IH H3893 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 3893 IH ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para- 1 graph (2) or in an emergency’’; and 2 (2) by adding at the end the following: 3 ‘‘(2) LIMITATION OF PREFERENCE.—Intercity 4 and commuter rail passenger transportation pro- 5 vided by or for Amtrak shall not have preference 6 over freight transportation in using a rail line, junc- 7 tion, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or cross- 8 ing is located within 50 miles of a port or rail 9 yard.’’. 10 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:54 Jul 04, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H3893.IH H3893 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB