Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 3.djvu/483

 PUBLIC LAW 105-134—DEC. 2, 1997 111 STAT. 2571 Sec. 204. Sunset trigger. Sec. 205. Senate procedure for consideration of restructuring and liquidation plans. Sec. 206. Access to records and accounts. Sec. 207. Officers'pay. Sec. 208. Exemption from taxes. Sec. 209. Limitation on use of tax refund. TITLE III—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS Sec. 401. Status and applicable laws. Sec. 402. Waste disposal. Sec. 403. Assistance for upgrading facilities. Sec. 404. Demonstration ofnew technology. Sec. 405. Program master plan for Boston-New York main line. Sec. 406. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Sec. 407. Definitions. Sec. 408. Northeast Corridor cost dispute. Sec. 409. Inspector General Act of 1978 amendment. Sec. 410. Interstate rail compacts. Sec. 411. Board of Directors. Sec. 412. Educational participation. Sec. 413. Report to Congress on Amtrak bankruptcy. Sec. 414. Amtrak to notify Congress of lobbying relationships. Sec. 415. Financial powers. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 49 USC 24101 The Congress finds that— (1) intercity rail passenger service is an essential component of a national intermodal passenger transportation system; (2) Amtrak is facing a financial crisis, with growing and substantial debt obligations severely limiting its ability to cover operating costs and jeopardizing its long-term viability; (3) immediate action is required to improve Amtrak's financial condition if Amtrak is to survive; (4) all of Amtrak's stakeholders, including labor, management, and the Federal Government, must participate in efforts to reduce Amtrak's costs and increase its revenues; (5) additional flexibility is needed to allow Amtrak to operate in a businesslike manner in order to manage costs and maximize revenues; (6) Amtrak should ensure that new management flexibility produces cost savings without compromising safety; (7) Amtrak's management should be held accountable to ensure that all investment by the Federal Government and State governments is used effectively to improve the quality of service and the long-term financial health of Amtrak; (8) Amtrak and its employees should proceed quickly with proposals to modify collective bargaining agreements to make more efficient use of manpower and to realize cost savings which are necessary to reduce Federal financial assistance; (9) Amtrgik and intercity bus service providers should work cooperatively and develop coordinated intermodal relationships promoting seamless transportation services which enhance travel options and increase operating efficiencies; (10) Amtrak's Strategic Business Plan calls for the establishment of a dedicated source of capital funding for Amtrak in order to ensure that Amtrak will be able to fulfill the goals of maintaining— (A) a national passenger rail system; and (B) that system without Federal operating assistance; and

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