H.R. 6707 would require Surface Transportation Board consideration of the impacts of certain railroad transactions on local communities.
Detailed Summary
Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act - Amends federal transportation law with respect to the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control (transaction) involving rail carriers to require public hearings in the affected communities if public hearings on a proposed transaction are held.
Requires the Surface Transportation Board, in a proceeding involving the merger or control of at least one Class I railroad (under current law, merger or control of at least two Class I railroads), to consider the effect on the public interest, including the safety and environmental effect of the proposed merger on local communities, intercity rail passenger transportation, and commuter rail passenger transportation.
Prohibits the Board from approving mergers if their impacts on safety and on all affected communities outweigh their transportation benefits. Authorizes the Board to impose conditions to mitigate the effect of mergers on local communities.
Declares that the amendments made by this Act are to be applied to all transactions that have not been approved by the Board as of August 1, 2008.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2008: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 243 - 175 (Roll no. 663).
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
John
August 26, 2008, 3:50pm (report abuse)http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/print/171140041.html
This lane of traffic needs to remain the regions answer to people moving. We do not want to loose the EJE to freight increase of 30-45 trains per day. There are serious grade level crossing issues thru the whole line. We need a comprehensive National Transportation Policy tied to a National Energy Policy that puts teeth into it's enforcement. We can't be rushed, as CN wishes, to decide on a move that will affect our towns for the rest of time. See above article for a more sensible approach
Concerned citizen
September 16, 2008, 5:04pm (report abuse)This bill is long overdue. Right now in rail transactions the railroads are in the driver’s seat in as much Big Rail’s interests not only outweigh the interests of impacted communities, but an action by a private company can trump the hard work of policymakers at all levels of government when it comes to defining and addressing the nation’s transportation investment needs.
Barrington Resident
September 16, 2008, 5:26pm (report abuse)This bill needs to be passed to insure the bottleneck that chokes Chicago and the immediate suburbs is not simply re-routed to the outer suburbs. We need to evaluate and reorganize our national freight system for exisiting and future transportation,energy and economic needs.
dm60462
September 29, 2008, 4:51pm (report abuse)This was written to pander to Susie SUV's not wanting to wait 5 minutes at a RR crossing to get to a suburban Chicago spa appointment - the nation's economy be damned! Let the less well off in less affluent neighborhoods continue to live with teh entrirety of the CN traffic routed through Chicago between Vancouver Canada and the Gulf of Mexico - don't you DARE impose any inconveninece or financial responsibility for crossings on local affluent communities! We're better than you!