Signed Legislation: Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (Part XII)

Read part I of  Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015

SEC. 3013. APPORTIONMENTS.

Section 5336 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking `subsection (h)(4)' and inserting `subsection (g)(5)';

(2) in subsection (b)(2)(E) by striking `22.27 percent' and inserting `27 percent';

(3) by striking subsection (g) and redesignating subsections (h), (i), and (j) as subsections (g), (h), and (i), respectively;

(4) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated)--

(A) in paragraph (2) by striking `subsection (j)' and inserting `subsection (i)'; and

(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

`(3) of amounts not apportioned under paragraphs (1) and (2)--

`(A) for fiscal years 2016 through 2018, 1.5 percent shall be apportioned to urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 in accordance with subsection (h); and

`(B) for fiscal years 2019 through 2021, 2 percent shall be apportioned to urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 in accordance with subsection (h);';

(5) in subsection (h)(2)(A) (as so redesignated) by striking `subsection (h)(3)' and inserting `subsection (g)(3)'; and

(6) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated) by striking `subsection (h)(2)' and inserting `subsection (g)(2)'.

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SEC. 3014. STATE OF GOOD REPAIR GRANTS.

Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (d)--

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking `on a facility with access for other high-occupancy vehicles' and inserting `on high-occupancy vehicle lanes during peak hours';

(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting `vehicle' after `motorbus'; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

`(5) USE OF FUNDS- A recipient in an urbanized area may use any portion of the amount apportioned to the recipient under this subsection for high intensity fixed guideway state of good repair projects under subsection (c) if the recipient demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the high intensity motorbus public transportation vehicles in the urbanized area are in a state of good repair.'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(e) Government Share of Costs-

`(1) CAPITAL PROJECTS- A grant for a capital project under this section shall be for 80 percent of the net project cost of the project. The recipient may provide additional local matching amounts.

`(2) REMAINING COSTS- The remainder of the net project cost shall be provided--

`(A) in cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services;

`(B) from revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions;

`(C) from an undistributed cash surplus, a replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve, or new capital; or

`(D) from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department or agency of the Government (other than the Department of Transportation) that are eligible to be expended for transportation.'.

SEC. 3015. AUTHORIZATIONS.

Section 5338 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

`Sec. 5338. Authorizations

`(a) Formula Grants-

`(1) IN GENERAL- There shall be available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out sections 5305, 5307, 5310, 5311, 5314(c), 5318, 5335, 5337, 5339, and 5340, and section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012--

`(A) $8,723,925,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(B) $8,879,211,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(C) $9,059,459,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(D) $9,240,648,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(E) $9,429,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(F) $9,617,580,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS-

`(A) SECTION 5305- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available to carry out section 5305--

`(i) $128,800,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $128,800,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $131,415,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $134,043,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $136,775,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $139,511,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(B) PILOT PROGRAM- $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, shall be available to carry out section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012;

`(C) SECTION 5307- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be allocated in accordance with section 5336 to provide financial assistance for urbanized areas under section 5307--

`(i) $4,458,650,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $4,458,650,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $4,549,161,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $4,640,144,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $4,734,724,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $4,829,418,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(D) SECTION 5310- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available to provide financial assistance for services for the enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities under section 5310--

`(i) $262,175,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $266,841,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $272,258,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $277,703,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $283,364,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $289,031,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(E) SECTION 5311-

`(i) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available to provide financial assistance for rural areas under section 5311--

`(I) $607,800,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(II) $607,800,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(III) $620,138,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(IV) $632,541,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(V) $645,434,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(VI) $658,343,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(ii) SUBALLOCATION- Of the amounts made available under clause (i)--

`(I) there shall be available to carry out section 5311(c)(1) not less than $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021; and

`(II) there shall be available to carry out section 5311(c)(2) not less than $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

`(F) SECTION 5314(c)- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available for the national transit institute under section 5314(c) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

`(G) SECTION 5318- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available for bus testing under section 5318 $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

`(H) SECTION 5335- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available to carry out section 5335 $3,850,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

`(I) SECTION 5337- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available to carry out section 5337--

`(i) $2,198,389,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $2,237,520,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $2,282,941,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $2,328,600,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $2,376,064,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $2,423,585,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(J) SECTION 5339(C)- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available for bus and bus facilities programs under section 5339(c)--

`(i) $430,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $431,850,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $445,120,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $458,459,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $472,326,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $486,210,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(K) SECTION 5339(D)- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be available for bus and bus facilities competitive grants under 5339(d)--

`(i) $352,950,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $462,950,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $468,288,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $473,653,500 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $479,231,500 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $484,816,000 for fiscal year 2021;

`(L) SECTION 5340- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there shall be allocated in accordance with section 5340 to provide financial assistance for urbanized areas under section 5307 and rural areas under section 5311--

`(i) $262,950,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(ii) $262,950,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(iii) $268,288,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(iv) $273,653,500 for fiscal year 2019;

`(v) $279,231,500 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(vi) $284,816,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(b) Research, Development Demonstration and Deployment Projects- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5312--

`(1) $33,495,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(2) $34,091,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(3) $34,783,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(4) $35,479,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(5) $36,202,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(6) $36,926,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(c) Technical Assistance, Standards, and Workforce Development- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5314--

`(1) $6,156,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(2) $8,152,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(3) $10,468,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(4) $12,796,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(5) $15,216,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(6) $17,639,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(d) Capital Investment Grants- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5309--

`(1) $2,029,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;

`(2) $2,065,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;

`(3) $2,106,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;

`(4) $2,149,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;

`(5) $2,193,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

`(6) $2,237,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.

`(e) Administration-

`(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5334, $105,933,000 for fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

`(2) SECTION 5329- Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), not less than $4,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021 shall be available to carry out section 5329.

`(3) SECTION 5326- Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), not less than $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021 shall be available to carry out section 5326.

`(f) Period of Availability- Amounts made available by or appropriated under this section shall remain available for obligation for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized.

`(g) Grants as Contractual Obligations-

`(1) GRANTS FINANCED FROM HIGHWAY TRUST FUND- A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project.

`(2) GRANTS FINANCED FROM GENERAL FUND- A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts appropriated in advance from the general fund of the Treasury pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project only to the extent that amounts are appropriated for such purpose by an Act of Congress.

`(h) Oversight-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts made available to carry out this chapter for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than the following amounts for the activities described in paragraph (2):

`(A) 0.5 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5305.

`(B) 0.75 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5307.

`(C) 1 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5309.

`(D) 1 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 601 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432; 122 Stat. 4968).

`(E) 0.5 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5310.

`(F) 0.5 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5311.

`(G) 0.75 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5337(c), of which not less than 0.25 percent shall be available to carry out section 5329.

`(H) 0.75 percent of amounts made available to carry out section 5339.

`(2) ACTIVITIES- The activities described in this paragraph are as follows:

`(A) Activities to oversee the construction of a major capital project.

`(B) Activities to review and audit the safety and security, procurement, management, and financial compliance of a recipient or subrecipient of funds under this chapter.

`(C) Activities to provide technical assistance generally, and to provide technical assistance to correct deficiencies identified in compliance reviews and audits carried out under this section.

`(3) GOVERNMENT SHARE OF COSTS- The Government shall pay the entire cost of carrying out a contract under this subsection.

`(4) AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN FUNDS- Funds made available under paragraph (1)(C) shall be available to the Secretary before allocating the funds appropriated to carry out any project under a full funding grant agreement.'.

SEC. 3016. BUS AND BUS FACILITY GRANTS.

(a) In General- Section 5339 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

`Sec. 5339. Bus and bus facility grants

`(a) General Authority- The Secretary may make grants under this section to assist eligible recipients described in subsection (b)(1) in financing capital projects--

`(1) to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment; and

`(2) to construct bus-related facilities.

`(b) Eligible Recipients and Subrecipients-

`(1) RECIPIENTS- Eligible recipients under this section are designated recipients that operate fixed route bus service or that allocate funding to fixed route bus operators.

`(2) SUBRECIPIENTS- A designated recipient that receives a grant under this section may allocate amounts of the grant to subrecipients that are public agencies or private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation.

`(c) Formula Grant Distribution of Funds-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Funds made available for making grants under this subsection shall be distributed as follows:

`(A) NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION- $65,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021 shall be allocated to all States and territories, with each State receiving $1,250,000, and each territory receiving $500,000, for each such fiscal year.

`(B) DISTRIBUTION USING POPULATION AND SERVICE FACTORS- The remainder of the funds not otherwise distributed under paragraph (1) shall be allocated pursuant to the formula set forth in section 5336 (other than subsection (b) of that section).

`(2) TRANSFERS OF APPORTIONMENTS-

`(A) TRANSFER FLEXIBILITY FOR NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION FUNDS- The Governor of a State may transfer any part of the State's apportionment under subparagraph (A) to supplement--

`(i) amounts apportioned to the State under section 5311(c); or

`(ii) amounts apportioned to urbanized areas under subsections (a) and (c) of section 5336.

`(B) TRANSFER FLEXIBILITY FOR POPULATION AND SERVICE FACTORS FUNDS- The Governor of a State may expend in an urbanized area with a population of less than 200,000 any amounts apportioned under paragraph (1)(B) that are not allocated to designated recipients in urbanized areas with a population of 200,000 or more.

`(3) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY TO RECIPIENTS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Amounts made available under this subsection may be obligated by a recipient for 3 years after the fiscal year in which the amount is apportioned.

`(B) REAPPORTIONMENT OF UNOBLIGATED AMOUNTS- Not later than 30 days after the end of the 3-year period described in subparagraph (A), any amount that is not obligated on the last day of that period shall be added to the amount that may be apportioned under this subsection in the next fiscal year.

`(4) PILOT PROGRAM FOR COST-EFFECTIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENT-

`(A) IN GENERAL- For each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program under which an eligible designated recipient (as described in subsection (c)(1)) in an urbanized area with population of not less than 200,000 and not more than 999,999 may elect to participate in a State pool in accordance with this paragraph.

`(B) PURPOSE OF STATE POOLS- The purpose of a State pool shall be to allow for transfers of formula grant funds made available under this subsection among the designated recipients participating in the State pool in a manner that supports the transit asset management plans of the designated recipients under section 5326.

`(C) REQUESTS FOR PARTICIPATION- A State, and designated recipients in the State described in subparagraph (A), may submit to the Secretary a request for participation in the program under procedures to be established by the Secretary. A designated recipient for a multistate area may participate in only 1 State pool.

`(D) ALLOCATIONS TO PARTICIPATING STATES- For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate to each State participating in the program the total amount of funds that otherwise would be allocated to the urbanized areas of the designated recipients participating in the State's pool for that fiscal year pursuant to the formula referred to in paragraph (1).

`(E) ALLOCATIONS TO DESIGNATED RECIPIENTS IN STATE POOLS- A State shall distribute the amount that is allocated to the State for a fiscal year under subparagraph (D) among the designated recipients participating in the State's pool in a manner that supports the transit asset management plans of the recipients under section 5326.

`(F) ALLOCATION PLANS- A State participating in the program shall develop an allocation plan for the period of fiscal years 2016 through 2021 to ensure that a designated recipient participating in the State's pool receives under the program an amount of funds that equals the amount of funds that would have otherwise been available to the designated recipient for that period pursuant to the formula referred to in paragraph (1).

`(G) GRANTS- The Secretary shall make grants under this subsection for a fiscal year to a designated recipient participating in a State pool following notification by the State of the allocation amount determined under subparagraph (E).

`(d) Competitive Grants for Bus State of Good Repair-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to eligible recipients described in subsection (b)(1) to assist in financing capital projects described in subsection (a).

`(2) GRANT CONSIDERATIONS- In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the age and condition of buses, bus fleets, related equipment, and bus-related facilities of an eligible recipient.

`(3) STATEWIDE APPLICATIONS- A State may submit a statewide application on behalf of a public agency or private nonprofit organization engaged in public transportation in rural areas or other areas for which the State allocates funds. The submission of a statewide application shall not preclude the submission and consideration of any application under this subsection from other eligible recipients in an urbanized area in a State.

`(4) REQUIREMENTS FOR SECRETARY- The Secretary shall--

`(A) disclose all metrics and evaluation procedures to be used in considering grant applications under this subsection upon issuance of the notice of funding availability in the Federal Register; and

`(B) publish a summary of final scores for selected projects, metrics, and other evaluations used in awarding grants under this subsection in the Federal Register.

`(5) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Any amounts made available to carry out this subsection--

`(A) shall remain available for 2 fiscal years after the fiscal year for which the amount is made available; and

`(B) following the period of availability shall be made available to be apportioned under subsection (c) for the following fiscal year.

`(6) LIMITATION- Of the amounts made available under this subsection, not more than 15 percent in fiscal year 2016 and not more than 5 percent in each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 may be awarded to a single recipient.

`(7) GRANT FLEXIBILITY- If the Secretary determines that there are not sufficient grant applications that meet the metrics described in paragraph (4)(A) to utilize the full amount of funds made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use the remainder of the funds for making apportionments under sections 5307 and 5311.

`(e) Generally Applicable Provisions-

`(1) GRANT REQUIREMENTS- A grant under this section shall be subject to the requirements of--

`(A) section 5307 for recipients of grants made in urbanized areas; and

`(B) section 5311 for recipients of grants made in rural areas.

`(2) Government'S SHARE OF COSTS-

`(A) CAPITAL PROJECTS- A grant for a capital project under this section shall be for 80 percent of the net capital costs of the project. A recipient of a grant under this section may provide additional local matching amounts.

`(B) REMAINING COSTS- The remainder of the net project cost shall be provided--

`(i) in cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services;

`(ii) from revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions;

`(iii) from an undistributed cash surplus, a replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve, or new capital; or

`(iv) from amounts received under a service agreement with a State or local social service agency or private social service organization.

`(f) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

`(1) STATE- The term `State' means a State of the United States.

`(2) TERRITORY- The term `territory' means the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The analysis for chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 5339 and inserting the following:

`5339. Bus and bus facility grants.'.

SEC. 3017. OBLIGATION CEILING.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total of all obligations from amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund by subsection (a) of section 5338 of title 49, United States Code, shall not exceed--

(1) $8,724,000,000 in fiscal year 2016;

(2) $8,879,000,000 in fiscal year 2017;

(3) $9,059,000,000 in fiscal year 2018;

(4) $9,240,000,000 in fiscal year 2019;

(5) $9,429,000,000 in fiscal year 2020; and

(6) $9,618,000,000 in fiscal year 2021.

SEC. 3018. INNOVATIVE PROCUREMENT.

(a) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) COOPERATIVE PROCUREMENT CONTRACT- The term `cooperative procurement contract' means a contract--

(A) entered into between a State government and 1 or more vendors; and

(B) under which the vendors agree to provide an option to purchase rolling stock and related equipment to multiple participants.

(2) LEAD PROCUREMENT AGENCY- The term `lead procurement agency' means a State government that acts in an administrative capacity on behalf of each participant in a cooperative procurement contract.

(3) PARTICIPANT- The term `participant' means a grantee that participates in a cooperative procurement contract.

(4) PARTICIPATE- The term `participate' means to purchase rolling stock and related equipment under a cooperative procurement contract using assistance provided under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code.

(5) GRANTEE- The term `grantee' means a recipient and subrecipient of assistance under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code.

(b) Cooperative Procurement-

(1) GENERAL RULES-

(A) PROCUREMENT NOT LIMITED TO INTRASTATE PARTICIPANTS- A grantee may participate in a cooperative procurement contract without regard to whether the grantee is located in the same State as the parties to the contract.

(B) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION- Participation by grantees in a cooperative procurement contract shall be voluntary.

(2) AUTHORITY- A State government may enter into a cooperative procurement contract with 1 or more vendors if the vendors agree to provide an option to purchase rolling stock and related equipment to the lead procurement agency and any other participant.

(3) APPLICABILITY OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES- In procuring rolling stock and related equipment under a cooperative procurement contract under this subsection, a lead procurement agency shall comply with the policies and procedures that apply to procurement by the State government when using non-Federal funds, to the extent that the policies and procedures are in conformance with applicable Federal law.

(c) Joint Procurement Clearinghouse-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a clearinghouse for the purpose of allowing grantees to aggregate planned rolling stock purchases and identify joint procurement participants.

(2) INFORMATION ON PROCUREMENTS- The clearinghouse may include information on bus size, engine type, floor type, and any other attributes necessary to identify joint procurement participants.

(3) LIMITATIONS-

(A) ACCESS- The clearinghouse shall only be accessible to the Federal Transit Administration and grantees.

(B) PARTICIPATION- No grantees shall be required to submit procurement information to the database.

SEC. 3019. REVIEW OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY STANDARDS.

(1) REVIEW REQUIRED-

(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin a review of the safety standards and protocols used in public transportation systems in the United States that examines the efficacy of existing standards and protocols.

(B) CONTENTS OF REVIEW- In conducting the review under this paragraph, the Secretary shall review--

(i) minimum safety performance standards developed by the public transportation industry;

(ii) safety performance standards, practices, or protocols in use by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including--

(I) written emergency plans and procedures for passenger evacuations;

(II) training programs to ensure public transportation personnel compliance and readiness in emergency situations;

(III) coordination plans approved by recipients with local emergency responders having jurisdiction over a rail fixed guideway public transportation system, including--

(aa) emergency preparedness training, drills, and familiarization programs for the first responders; and

(bb) the scheduling of regular field exercises to ensure appropriate response and effective radio and public safety communications;

(IV) maintenance, testing, and inspection programs to ensure the proper functioning of--

(aa) tunnel, station, and vehicle ventilation systems;

(bb) signal and train control systems, track, mechanical systems, and other infrastructure; and

(cc) other systems as necessary;

(V) certification requirements for train and bus operators and control center employees;

(VI) consensus-based standards, practices, or protocols available to the public transportation industry; and

(VII) any other standards, practices, or protocols the Secretary determines appropriate; and

(iii) rail and bus safety standards, practices, or protocols in use by public transportation systems, regarding--

(I) rail and bus design and the workstation of rail and bus operators, as it relates to--

(aa) the reduction of blindspots that contribute to accidents involving pedestrians; and

(bb) protecting rail and bus operators from the risk of assault;

(II) scheduling fixed route rail and bus service with adequate time and access for operators to use restroom facilities;

(III) fatigue management; and

(IV) crash avoidance and worthiness.

(2) EVALUATION- After conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, in consultation with representatives of the public transportation industry, evaluate the need to establish additional Federal minimum public transportation safety standards.

(3) REPORT- After completing the review and evaluation required under paragraphs (1) and (2), but not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible Web site, a report that includes--

(A) findings based on the review conducted under paragraph (1);

(B) the outcome of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (2);

(C) a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the safety of the public transportation industry, including recommendations for statutory changes if applicable; and

(D) actions that the Secretary will take to address the recommendations provided under subparagraph (C), including, if necessary, the authorities under section 5329(b)(2)(D) of chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code.

Read part XIII of  Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015

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