Summary:
Railroad Infrastructure Financing Improvement Act

This bill amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to direct the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make direct loans and loan guarantees to:

 joint ventures that include, instead of at least one railroad, at least one railroad, state or local government, interstate compact, or government sponsored authority or corporation (entity); and any obligor, as designated by such an entity, including a special purpose entity receiving user fees or other payments or revenues from dedicated sources for debt service and maintenance of the equipment or facilities to be acquired or improved. Direct loans and loan guarantees may also be solely for a public-private partnership, private entity, a consortium that specializes in real estate development, or an economic development project physically or functionally related to a passenger rail station or multimodal station.

DOT shall notify direct loan or loan guarantee applicants if their applications are incomplete, and within another 60 days approve or disapprove a resubmitted application.

Charges may be collected for certain costs additional to the evaluation of applications. The current formula cap on such a charge is repealed.

The term for repayment of a direct loan or loan guarantee may extend from a maximum of 35 years to a maximum of the lesser of 50 years or 90% of the estimated useful life of the rail equipment or facilities to be acquired, rehabilitated, improved, developed, or established.

DOT may allow an obligor to add unpaid principal and interest to the outstanding balance if at any time after the date of substantial completion the project is unable to generate sufficient revenues to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and interest on a direct loan. Prepayments without penalty are also allowed.

Authority for cohorts of loans is repealed.

 A direct loan or loan guarantee applicant may propose, and DOT may accept as collateral, as a basis for determining the amount of a credit risk premium any of the following in lieu of the value of any tangible asset:

 a rate covenant; adequate coverage requirements to ensure repayment, on a non-recourse basis, from cash flows generated by the project or any other dedicated revenue source; an investment-grade rating on debt senior to the direct loan or loan guarantee; or a rating on the direct loan or loan guarantee. DOT may enter into a master credit agreement (to make one or more direct loans or loan guarantees at future dates for a program of related projects secured by a common security pledge) if:

 the common security pledge receives an investment-grade rating (BBB minus, Baa 3, bbb minus, BBB[low], or higher) from a rating agency before entry into the master credit agreement; and all specified conditions for the provision of direct loans or loan guarantees, as applicable, are satisfied. DOT must require the applicant for an economic development project to pay, in addition to interest, a fee to provide an equitable share of revenue to support capital or operating costs of routes serving the passenger rail station or multimodal station where the development is located.

bill amends direct department_of_transportation dot direct loans loan guarantees joint ventures include instead railroad railroad state local government interstate compact government sponsored authority corporation entity obligor designated entity including special purpose entity receiving user fees payments revenues dedicated sources debt service maintenance equipment facilities acquired improved direct loans loan guarantees solely public private partnership private entity consortium real estate development economic development project physically functionally related passenger rail station multimodal station dot shall notify direct loan loan guarantee applicants applications incomplete days approve disapprove resubmitted application charges collected certain costs additional evaluation applications current formula cap charge repealed term repayment direct loan loan guarantee extend maximum years maximum lesser years estimated useful life rail equipment facilities acquired rehabilitated improved developed established dot allow obligor add unpaid principal interest outstanding balance time date substantial completion project unable generate sufficient revenues pay scheduled loan repayments principal interest direct loan prepayments penalty allowed authority loans repealed direct loan loan guarantee applicant propose dot accept collateral basis determining credit risk premium following lieu value tangible asset rate covenant adequate coverage requirements ensure repayment non recourse basis cash flows generated project dedicated revenue source investment grade rating debt senior direct loan loan guarantee rating direct loan loan guarantee dot enter master credit agreement direct loans loan guarantees future dates program related projects secured common security pledge common security pledge receives investment grade rating minus minus higher rating agency entry master credit agreement specified conditions provision direct loans loan guarantees applicable satisfied dot require applicant economic development project pay addition interest fee provide equitable share revenue support capital operating costs routes serving passenger rail station multimodal station development located


Summary:
Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2015

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) may:

 issue emergency service orders covering rail carrier shipments moving under contract only if they are part of a regional service order; and require reports, service plans, or other documents that cover shipments moving under contract if such shipments are part of a general report, service plan, or other document that generally covers the geographic area or commodity. Rail carriers shall be liable to any person in federal district court for damages or equitable relief as a result of inadequate or deficient service in violation of federal law.

Civil monetary penalties for rail carriers increase from $5,000 to $25,000 per violation.

It is U.S. transportation policy to provide for and promote the protection of the shipping public.

 Shippers may obtain rates to or from any interchange points of two or more rail carriers.

When determining whether a rail carrier proposing a rate challenged as unreasonably high has market dominance over the transportation to which the rate applies, the STB shall consider that the rail carrier could have market dominance even in circumstances in which a shipper is served by two carriers.

The circumstances involving mandatory reciprocal switching agreements are changed. The STB shall now require a Class 1 rail carrier to enter into a competitive switching agreement if a shipper or receiver (or a group of shippers or receivers) files a petition that satisfies the Board that:

 the facilities of the shipper or receiver are served by rail only by a single, Class I rail carrier; and there is or can be a working interchange between the Class I rail carrier serving the shipper or receiver in question and another rail carrier within a reasonable distance of the facilities of such shipper or receiver. Competitive switching may not be imposed, however, if:

 either rail carrier between which such switching is to be established demonstrates that the proposed switching is not feasible or is unsafe, or the presence of reciprocal switching will unduly restrict the ability of a rail carrier to serve its own shippers. The STB must observe specified rules when deciding stand-alone cost cases with respect to a maximum reasonable rate.

The STB shall apply a certain formula to calculate a rail carrier's cost of capital. This replaces the current requirement that the STB determine annually which rail carriers are earning adequate revenues.

The number of STB members increases from 3 to 5, with no more than 3 of them (currently no more than 2 of them) from the same party. At least 2 members must have a background in shipping or consumer advocacy.

The STB must meet regularly.

fairness act surface_transportation_board stb issue emergency service orders covering rail carrier shipments moving contract regional service order require reports service plans documents cover shipments moving contract shipments general report service plan document generally covers geographic area commodity rail carriers shall liable person federal district court damages equitable relief result inadequate deficient service violation federal law civil monetary penalties rail carriers increase violation transportation policy provide promote protection shipping public shippers obtain rates interchange points rail carriers determining rail carrier proposing rate challenged unreasonably high market transportation rate applies stb shall consider rail carrier market circumstances shipper served carriers circumstances involving mandatory reciprocal switching agreements changed stb shall require class rail carrier enter competitive switching agreement shipper receiver group shippers receivers files petition satisfies board facilities shipper receiver served rail single class rail carrier working interchange class rail carrier serving shipper receiver question rail carrier reasonable distance facilities shipper receiver competitive switching imposed rail carrier switching established demonstrates proposed switching feasible unsafe presence reciprocal switching unduly restrict ability rail carrier serve shippers stb observe specified rules deciding stand cost cases respect maximum reasonable rate stb shall apply certain formula calculate rail carrier cost capital replaces current requirement stb determine annually rail carriers earning adequate revenues number stb members increases currently party members background shipping consumer advocacy stb meet regularly


Summary:
Crude-By-Rail Safety Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to:

 establish, by regulation, an interim national standard for the maximum volatility (measured by the vapor pressure) of crude oil transported by rail within the United States; study the best methods for reliably measuring that volatility as well as the level of volatility consistent with the safest practicable shipment of crude oil by rail; issue a final rule establishing the maximum volatility of crude oil transported by rail; and issue also a final rule, based on specified safety standards, which requires that all new tank cars designed to transport a Class 3 flammable liquid meet or exceed the design standards set forth in a related Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. DOT shall prohibit immediately the shipment of oil or ethanol in: (1) any DOT-111 tank car that does not meet the requirements of Casualty Prevention Circular 1232, issued by the Association of American Railroads on August 31, 2011; or (2) any unjacketed CPC-1232 tank car. Tank cars retrofitted to meet or exceed certain design standards may, however, continue to transport oil or ethanol, but they must also be equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic brakes.

Rail carriers must perform at least two additional internal rail inspections per calendar year than required by specified law as well as at least four track geometry inspections on routes that: (1) the rail carrier owns or has been assigned maintenance responsibility, and (2) over which one or more high-hazard flammable trains are operated.

Any person offering oil for transportation shall complete spot inspections on 5% of all individual rail cars loaded with crude oil to:

 test and record the volatility of the crude oil in the cars, and ensure that the crude oil meets the interim national standard for maximum volatility established under this Act or any more restrictive volatility standard subsequently enacted. DOT shall also complete spot inspections on crude oil volatility to ensure that volatility standards are being met.

Knowing violators of hazardous materials transportation law, of energy product inspections, and of rail inspections shall be subject to specified civil penalties.

DOT shall:

 establish or expand safety programs relating to the transportation of energy products and other Class 3 flammable liquids by rail, pipeline, highway, and waterway; and publish a final rule revising certain oil spill prevention and response plan regulations to include specified requirements. No rail carrier may operate any high-hazard flammable train in any state until it has given specified information, including emergency response and contact information, to the Emergency Response Commission for that state and any local emergency planning committee along the route the train will operate.

Rail carriers must collaborate to develop an inventory of emergency response resources along routes over which one or more high-hazard flammable trains operate for responding to worst case discharges resulting from accidents involving unit trains or blocks of tank cars transporting Class 3 flammable liquids.

DOT shall:

 promulgate requirements for a railroad carrier to follow in establishing a confidential close call reporting system program meeting specified criteria, contract with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study high-hazard flammable train liability, and conduct a comprehensive review of existing regulations for energy products transported by all modes of transportation.

crude rail safety act bill directs department_of_transportation dot establish regulation interim national standard maximum volatility measured vapor pressure crude oil transported rail united_states study best methods reliably measuring volatility level volatility consistent safest practicable shipment crude oil rail issue final rule establishing maximum volatility crude oil transported rail issue final rule based specified safety standards requires new tank cars designed transport class flammable liquid meet exceed design standards set forth related notice_of_proposed_rulemaking dot shall prohibit immediately shipment oil ethanol dot-111 tank car meet requirements casualty prevention circular issued august tank car tank cars retrofitted meet exceed certain design standards continue transport oil ethanol equipped electronically controlled pneumatic brakes rail carriers perform additional internal rail inspections calendar year required specified law track geometry inspections routes rail carrier owns assigned maintenance responsibility high hazard flammable trains operated person offering oil transportation shall complete spot inspections individual rail cars loaded crude oil test record volatility crude oil cars ensure crude oil meets interim national standard maximum volatility established act restrictive volatility standard subsequently enacted dot shall complete spot inspections crude oil volatility ensure volatility standards met knowing violators hazardous materials transportation law energy product inspections rail inspections shall subject specified civil penalties dot shall establish expand safety programs relating transportation energy products class flammable liquids rail pipeline highway waterway publish final rule revising certain oil spill prevention response plan regulations include specified requirements rail carrier operate high hazard flammable train state given specified information including emergency response contact information state local emergency planning committee route train operate rail carriers collaborate develop inventory emergency response resources routes high hazard flammable trains operate responding worst case discharges resulting accidents involving unit trains blocks tank cars transporting class flammable liquids dot shall promulgate requirements railroad carrier follow establishing confidential close reporting system program meeting specified criteria contract transportation_research_board national_academy_of_sciences study high hazard flammable train liability conduct comprehensive review existing regulations energy products transported modes transportation


Summary:
Positive Train Control Safety Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend the deadline, in one-year increments, for implementation of positive train control systems if full implementation by the existing deadline will likely be infeasible due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and other certain other criteria are met.

Each Class I railroad carrier, and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, must submit annual progress reports to DOT on the status of fits implementation plan.

Such plans shall now be required for any such carrier or entity governing operations on a main line over which 20 or more tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil, ethanol, or other Class 3 material are transported.

DOT shall assess electromagnetic spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems.

Applicable railroad carriers shall establish a confidential close call reporting system program subject to DOT regulations.

 A railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation on high density commuter railroad lines, when performing a required inspection, shall:

 at least once each two weeks traverse each line by vehicle or inspect each main line on foot, and at least once each month traverse and inspect each siding by vehicle or by foot. DOT shall:

 study the effectiveness of positive train control and related technologies on reducing collisions at highway-rail grade crossings; and promulgate regulations to require that on-track safety programs, whenever practicable and consistent with other safety requirements and operational considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant signal protection, such as shunting, for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection.

positive train control safety act bill authorizes department_of_transportation dot extend deadline year increments implementation positive train control systems implementation existing deadline likely infeasible circumstances control applicant certain criteria met class railroad carrier entity providing regularly scheduled intercity commuter rail passenger transportation submit annual progress reports dot status implementation plan plans shall required carrier entity governing operations main line tank cars loaded petroleum crude oil ethanol class material transported dot shall assess electromagnetic spectrum needs availability implementing positive train control systems applicable railroad carriers shall establish confidential close reporting system program subject dot regulations railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation high density commuter railroad lines performing required inspection shall weeks line vehicle inspect main line foot month inspect vehicle foot dot shall study effectiveness positive train control related technologies reducing collisions highway rail grade crossings promulgate regulations require track safety programs practicable consistent safety requirements operational considerations include requiring implementation redundant signal protection maintenance way work crews depend train provide signal protection


Summary:
Pets on Trains Act of 2015

 Directs the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain Amtrak trains.

Requires Amtrak to collect a fee for each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger to cover administrative costs.

Declares that the proposed policy shall be separate from and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service animals.

pets directs national_railroad_passenger_corporation amtrak propose pet policy allows passengers transport domesticated cats dogs certain amtrak trains requires amtrak collect fee cat dog transported ticketed passenger cover administrative costs declares proposed policy shall separate addition policy governing amtrak passengers traveling service animals


Summary:
Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge Act of 2015 or the TRACK Act

 Requires railroad carriers found at fault for an unintended release of hazardous materials (hazmat) due to a railroad accident or incident during calendar year 2010 to:

 review periodically any post-accident public health assessments of hazmat-exposed individuals who could experience long-lasting or irreversible health effects; inform those individuals in a timely manner of any health information, including information on long-lasting or irreversible health consequences; and offer to renegotiate any legal settlements made to affected individuals in which additional information about potential for such consequences has been later disclosed in a post-accident public health assessment. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations:

 requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat to give first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel accurate and current commodity flow data and assist with the development of emergency operations and hazmat response plans for railroad accidents or incidents; and establishing a procedure for railroad carriers to permit a train to pass a red signal at a moveable bridge. Requires the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, to develop route safety and security risk assessment tools for short line and regional railroad carriers.

Revises the railroad safety risk reduction program by requiring railroad carriers to develop a comprehensive program to improve safety by reducing the number and rates of accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities (as under current law) through the use of safety management systems and their associated key principles, analysis of operational incidents and accidents, and continuous evaluation and improvement programs.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat to:

 give first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel real-time information regarding hazmat on the train in the event of an incident, accident, or emergency; and develop a public education program for communities along railroad hazmat routes. Prescribes certain civil penalties for any railroad carrier that violates a requirement or regulation under this Act.

toxics community knowledge act track act requires railroad carriers found fault unintended release hazardous materials hazmat railroad accident incident calendar year review periodically post accident public health assessments hazmat exposed individuals experience long lasting irreversible health effects inform individuals timely manner health information including information long lasting irreversible health consequences offer renegotiate legal settlements affected individuals additional information potential consequences later disclosed post accident public health assessment directs secretary transportation prescribe regulations requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat responders emergency response officials law enforcement personnel accurate current commodity flow data assist development emergency operations hazmat response plans railroad accidents incidents establishing procedure railroad carriers permit train pass red signal moveable bridge requires secretary collaboration secretary homeland_security develop route safety security risk assessment tools short line regional railroad carriers revises railroad safety risk reduction program requiring railroad carriers develop comprehensive program improve safety reducing number rates accidents incidents injuries fatalities current law use safety management systems associated key principles analysis operational incidents accidents continuous evaluation improvement programs directs secretary prescribe regulations requiring railroad carriers transporting hazmat responders emergency response officials law enforcement personnel real time information hazmat train event incident accident emergency develop public education program communities railroad hazmat routes prescribes certain civil penalties railroad carrier violates requirement regulation act


Summary:
Hazardous Materials Rail Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund a separate Hazardous Liquids Rail Spill Liability Account, from which expenditures may be made only for:

 prevention, removal, and enforcement related to oil discharges resulting from rail transportation of that oil; and any response action authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 attributable to releases of hazardous substances resulting from their rail transportation. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act are amended to:

 impose liability on each responsible party for a vessel or a facility from which oil is discharged that poses a substantial threat to public health or welfare resulting from rail transportation of such oil; and require the Environmental Protection Agency to designate as a hazardous substance any Class 3 material (including combustible liquids) in packing group I, II, or III and discharged due to rail transportation. The IRC shall impose a fee at specified rates on: (1) the placement of any hazardous flammable liquids into a DOT-111 tank car at any location in the United States, and (2) the entry into the United States of any DOT-111 tank car carrying any hazardous flammable liquids. Such fees shall be deposited in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

A qualified tank car conversion credit shall be allowed for 15% of expenditures paid or incurred in converting a qualified CPC-1232 tank car into a tank car meeting the requirements and standards of the enhanced tank car final rule.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) training curriculum for public sector emergency response and preparedness teams regarding the transportation of hazardous materials shall include a course of study for responding to an accident or incident involving trains transporting at least 20 tank cars of flammable liquids or gases.

DOT shall make high hazard train grants to states and Indian tribes to develop, improve, and carry out emergency plans for communities through which railroads transport a train or trains hauling at least 20 tank cars of flammable liquids or gases. The federal share of each high hazard train grant shall be 100% in FY2015-FY2017 and 80% in each subsequent fiscal year.

DOT shall also make grants to state and local governments for local projects, activities, and personnel that mitigate the impacts of, and public health or environmental risks associated with, the transport of flammable liquids or gases by rail.

Within one year after enactment of this Act the Federal Railroad Administration must implement specified recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.

DOT shall study:

 the routes of trains transporting at least 20 tank cars of flammable liquids or gases, the availability of equipment and fire-fighting materials appropriate for a large-scale release of flammable liquids or gases along those routes, and whether train length correlates with the severity and frequency of train derailments. The Department of Commerce, in coordination with DOT, shall determine the number and types of rail tank cars used to carry Class 3 hazardous materials.

The Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy shall conduct a quarterly survey to collect information regarding the volume of flammable energy products transported by rail and their origins and destinations.

bill amends internal_revenue_code irc establish oil_spill_liability_trust_fund separate expenditures prevention removal enforcement related oil discharges resulting rail transportation oil response action authorized attributable releases hazardous substances resulting rail transportation oil pollution act federal_water_pollution_control_act amended impose liability responsible party vessel facility oil discharged poses substantial threat public health welfare resulting rail transportation oil require environmental_protection_agency designate hazardous substance class material including combustible liquids packing group iii discharged rail transportation irc shall impose fee specified rates placement hazardous flammable liquids dot-111 tank car location united_states entry united_states dot-111 tank car carrying hazardous flammable liquids fees shall deposited oil_spill_liability_trust_fund qualified tank car conversion credit shall allowed expenditures paid incurred converting qualified tank car tank car meeting requirements standards enhanced tank car final rule department_of_transportation dot training curriculum public sector emergency response preparedness teams transportation hazardous materials shall include course study responding accident incident involving trains transporting tank cars flammable liquids gases dot shall high hazard train grants states indian tribes develop improve carry emergency plans communities railroads transport train trains hauling tank cars flammable liquids gases federal share high hazard train grant shall fy2015 fy2017 subsequent fiscal year dot shall grants state local governments local projects activities personnel mitigate impacts public health environmental risks associated transport flammable liquids gases rail year enactment act federal_railroad_administration implement specified recommendations national_transportation_safety_board dot shall study routes trains transporting tank cars flammable liquids gases availability equipment fire fighting materials appropriate large scale release flammable liquids gases routes train length severity frequency train department_of_commerce coordination dot shall determine number types rail tank cars carry class hazardous materials shall conduct quarterly survey collect information volume flammable energy products transported rail destinations


Summary:
This bill revises the limitation on passenger rail transportation liability to increase from $200 million to $500 million, adjusted annually for inflation, the aggregate allowable awards to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including any for punitive damages, arising from a single accident or incident.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must consider, within two years after enactment of this Act, whether to:

 make any needed additional adjustments to the liability cap; and establish or adjust mandatory coverage for Amtrak, any high-speed railroad authority or operator, any commuter authority or operator, any rail carrier, or any state (listed entities). The total minimum liability coverage Amtrak must maintain for claims through insurance and self-insurance shall increase from $200 million per accident or incident to $500 million, unless DOT, by regulation, determines that a different minimum level of financial responsibility is necessary or sufficient to satisfy claims.

DOT may make a grant to Amtrak or another listed entity as a reasonable reimbursement, considering ability to meet increased costs and impacts on safety and service, to offset any incremental increase in the cost of insurance resulting from this Act.

bill revises limitation passenger rail transportation liability increase million million adjusted annually inflation aggregate allowable awards rail passengers defendants claims including punitive damages arising single accident incident department_of_transportation dot consider years enactment act needed additional adjustments liability cap establish adjust mandatory coverage amtrak high speed railroad authority operator commuter authority operator rail carrier state listed entities total minimum liability coverage amtrak maintain claims insurance self insurance shall increase million accident incident million dot regulation determines different minimum level financial responsibility necessary sufficient satisfy claims dot grant amtrak listed entity reasonable reimbursement considering ability meet increased costs impacts safety service offset incremental increase cost insurance resulting act


Summary:
Eliminating Dangerous Oil Cars and Ensuring Community Safety Act

This bill replaces general requirements for design standards of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for pressurized tank cars with a retrofitting requirement for certain tank cars.

No rail carrier may ship on or after a specified deadline any hazardous material (hazmat) in any tank car under DOT-111 (Department of Transportation specification for a non-pressurized rail tank car) or non-jacketed Casualty Prevention Circular (CPC)-1232 (new rail tank car standards for transporting crude oil or ethanol), unless the tank car has been retrofitted in accordance with the DOT-117 specification design established by the May 2015 final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail.

DOT shall establish and begin enforcing a national maximum volatility standard for the transport of crude oil by rail or by barge.

The bill sets a maximum speed for any train carrying more than 10 cars, including at least one hazmat-carrying DOT-111 or unjacketed CPC-1232 tank car that has not been so retrofitted, of 40 miles per hour while traveling through a county (or county equivalent) with a population density of greater than 20 persons per square mile.

 In addition to certain other required track inspections, each rail carrier shall conduct, on main line routes it owns or for which it has been assigned maintenance responsibility, and over which 1 or more high-hazard flammable trains are operated:

 2 additional inspections for internal defects of all rail in Classes 3, 4, and 5 for every 40,000,000 gross tons transported on such lines, or annually, whichever interval is shorter; and 4 track geometry inspections each calendar year. Beginning on December 1, 2018, each rail line over which tank cars carrying crude oil or ethanol travel shall be equipped with a positive train control system.

Each rail carrier that transports crude oil, petroleum, or other hazardous products by rail shall develop comprehensive oil spill response plans.

The FRA shall develop a program to audit such response plans to ensure that they include comprehensive procedures for:

 preventing or mitigating a substantial threat of a worst-case discharge of such products resulting from a rail accident or incident, and responding to and cleaning up such a discharge. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall revise specified spill response planning thresholds to require comprehensive response plans to effectively provide for a carrier's ability to respond to worst-case discharges resulting from accidents involving unit trains or blocks of tank cars transporting oil and petroleum products.

Each rail carrier shall:

 establish a system through which employees may anonymously report circumstances or incidents that endanger the safety of railroad operations, and provide specified information to the FRA and the county emergency management contact (or equivalent) immediately after the derailment of any high hazard flammable train the carrier operates.

eliminating dangerous oil cars ensuring community safety act bill replaces general requirements design standards federal_railroad_administration fra pressurized tank cars retrofitting requirement certain tank cars rail carrier ship specified deadline hazardous material hazmat tank car dot-111 department_of_transportation specification non pressurized rail tank car non casualty prevention circular new rail tank car standards transporting crude oil ethanol tank car retrofitted accordance specification design established final rule safe transportation flammable liquids rail dot shall establish begin enforcing national maximum volatility standard transport crude oil rail barge bill sets maximum speed train carrying cars including hazmat carrying dot-111 tank car retrofitted miles hour traveling county county equivalent population density greater persons square mile addition certain required track inspections rail carrier shall conduct main line routes owns assigned maintenance responsibility high hazard flammable trains operated additional inspections internal defects rail classes gross tons transported lines annually whichever interval shorter track geometry inspections calendar year beginning december rail line tank cars carrying crude oil ethanol travel shall equipped positive train control system rail carrier transports crude oil petroleum hazardous products rail shall develop comprehensive oil spill response plans fra shall develop program audit response plans ensure include comprehensive procedures preventing mitigating substantial threat worst case discharge products resulting rail accident incident responding cleaning discharge pipeline_and_hazardous_materials_safety_administration shall revise specified spill response planning thresholds require comprehensive response plans effectively provide carrier ability respond worst case discharges resulting accidents involving unit trains blocks tank cars transporting oil petroleum products rail carrier shall establish system employees anonymously report circumstances incidents endanger safety railroad operations provide specified information fra county emergency management contact equivalent immediately high hazard flammable train carrier operates


Summary:
Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act

This bill reauthorizes FY2016-FY2019 grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for:

 a Northeast Corridor investment account, a state-supported account, a long-distance account, an other national network activities account, and national infrastructure and safety investments. Appropriations are also authorized for the same period for:

 National Transportation Safety Board rail investigations, and Amtrak's Office of the Inspector General. The bill revises requirements for the rail cooperative research program. Allocation of a specified amount is made for each fiscal year to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for railroad research and development programs.

Amtrak shall establish internal controls to ensure its costs, revenues, and other compensation are allocated to its Northeast Corridor train services or infrastructure, Amtrak-operated state-supported routes and long-distance routes, and other Amtrak national network activities.

DOT shall establish substantive and procedural requirements for the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak routes, and national network investment capital grant requests.

DOT shall establish:

 a Northeast Corridor investment account, a state-supported account, a long-distance account, and an other national network activities account. Amtrak shall prepare:

 final five-year business line plans for Northeast Corridor train services, Amtrak-operated state-supported routes and long-distance routes, and Amtrak ancillary services; and five-year asset plans for Amtrack infrastructure and equipment. DOT shall establish the State-Supported Route Committee.

The bill revises alternate passenger rail service pilot program requirements.

DOT shall develop: (1) a program for issuing three-year competitive operating assistance grants to eligible public and private entities to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity rail passenger service; and (2) a federal-state partnership program for issuing competitive grants to the aforementioned entities for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, or repair major infrastructure assets for providing intercity passenger rail service.

The bill requires the Northeast Corridor Commission to:

 develop a capital investment plan for the Northeast Corridor main line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the Virginia Avenue interlocking in the District of Columbia, and the Northeast Corridor branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York; and update, once every 10 years, a Northeast Corridor service development plan. DOT shall: (1) develop and distribute to each state a state-specific highway-rail grade crossing action plan to improve safety, and (2) conduct a post-accident assessment of the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train #188 crash on May 12, 2015.

DOT may make grants to eligible public and private entities to assist in financing the cost of rail projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation systems.

 DOT shall issue regulations requiring Class I railroads transporting hazmat to:

 generate accurate, real-time, and electronic train consist information, including emergency response information; grant each applicable fusion center secure access to such information; require each such fusion center to supply that information to state and local first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel involved in the response to or investigation of an accident, incident, or public health or safety emergency involving the rail transportation; and establish security and confidentiality protections to prevent the release of such information to unauthorized persons. DOT shall: (1) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to require each railroad carrier transporting a Class 3 flammable liquid to maintain an oil spill response plan, and (2) promulgate regulations to require each railroad carrier that provides regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger or commuter rail passenger transportation to the public to install inward- and outward-facing image recording devices in all controlling locomotive cabs and cab car operating compartments in such passenger trains.

The bill revises rail passenger transportation liability requirements to increase from $200 million to $295 million the aggregate allowable award to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including claims for punitive damages, arising from a single rail passenger accident or incident.

Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network Act

The bill exempts improvements to, maintenance, rehabilitation, or operation of railroad or rail transit lines (but not stations) that are in use or were historically used for the transportation of goods or passengers from federal policies and requirements for the preservation of public park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites.

Railroad Infrastructure Financing Improvement Act

The bill amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to direct DOT to revise requirements for direct loans and loan guarantees to railroad entities under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program.

efficiency_act bill reauthorizes fy2016 fy2019 grants national_railroad_passenger_corporation amtrak northeast corridor investment account state supported account long distance account national network activities account national infrastructure safety investments appropriations authorized period national_transportation_safety_board rail investigations amtrak office_of_the_inspector_general bill revises requirements rail cooperative research program allocation specified fiscal year department_of_transportation dot railroad research development programs amtrak shall establish internal controls ensure costs revenues compensation allocated northeast corridor train services infrastructure amtrak operated state supported routes long distance routes amtrak national network activities dot shall establish substantive procedural requirements northeast corridor amtrak routes national network investment capital grant requests dot shall establish northeast corridor investment account state supported account long distance account national network activities account amtrak shall prepare final year business line plans northeast corridor train services amtrak operated state supported routes long distance routes amtrak ancillary services year asset plans infrastructure equipment dot shall establish bill revises alternate passenger rail service pilot program requirements dot shall develop program issuing year competitive operating assistance grants eligible public private entities initiate restore enhance intercity rail passenger service federal state partnership program issuing competitive grants aforementioned entities capital projects replace rehabilitate repair major infrastructure assets providing intercity passenger rail service bill requires develop capital investment plan northeast corridor main line boston massachusetts virginia avenue district_of_columbia northeast corridor branch lines connecting pennsylvania springfield massachusetts new_york update years northeast corridor service development plan dot shall develop distribute state state specific highway rail grade crossing action plan improve safety conduct post accident assessment train crash dot grants eligible public private entities assist financing cost rail projects improve safety efficiency reliability passenger freight rail transportation systems dot shall issue regulations requiring class railroads transporting hazmat generate accurate real time electronic train consist information including emergency response information grant applicable fusion center secure access information require fusion center supply information state local responders emergency response officials law enforcement personnel involved response investigation accident incident public health safety emergency involving rail transportation establish security confidentiality protections prevent release information unauthorized persons dot shall issue notice proposed rulemaking require railroad carrier transporting class flammable liquid maintain oil spill response plan promulgate regulations require railroad carrier provides regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger commuter rail passenger transportation public install outward facing image recording devices controlling locomotive cab car operating compartments passenger trains bill revises rail passenger transportation liability requirements increase million million aggregate allowable award rail passengers defendants claims including claims punitive damages arising single rail passenger accident incident track railroad infrastructure network act bill exempts improvements maintenance rehabilitation operation railroad rail transit lines stations use historically transportation goods passengers federal policies requirements preservation public park recreation lands wildlife waterfowl refuges historic sites railroad infrastructure financing improvement act bill amends direct dot revise requirements direct loans loan guarantees railroad entities program


Summary:
Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2015

Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against any common carrier that is not a rail common carrier and that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). This covers motor carriers, water carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and pipeline carriers.

Declares that, in any civil action against a rail common carrier, the U.S. district court shall not be required to defer to the primary jurisdiction of the STB.

Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions.

Permits treble damages against common carrier railroads in antitrust suits to parties injured by antitrust violations without regard to whether such railroads have filed rates or whether a complaint challenging rates has been filed.

Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements.

Requires the STB, when reviewing a proposed agreement, to take into account its impact upon shippers, consumers, and affected communities.

Exempts from antitrust law the pooling of railroad cars approved by the STB or its predecessor agency.

railroad_antitrust_enforcement_act amends clayton act grant united_states exclusive authority bring suit injunctive relief common carrier rail common carrier subject jurisdiction surface_transportation_board stb covers motor carriers water carriers brokers freight pipeline carriers declares civil action rail common carrier district court shall required defer primary jurisdiction stb empowers_the_federal_trade_commission regulate engage antitrust enforcement collective rate agreements certain transactions including railroad mergers acquisitions permits treble damages common carrier railroads antitrust suits parties injured antitrust violations regard railroads filed rates complaint challenging rates filed amends federal transportation law terminate exemptions antitrust laws collective ratemaking agreements requires stb reviewing proposed agreement account impact shippers consumers affected communities exempts antitrust law pooling railroad cars approved stb predecessor agency


Summary:
Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for railroad track maintenance.

economy act bill amends internal_revenue_code permanent tax credit railroad track maintenance


Summary:
Mandate Oil Spill Investigations and Emergency Rules (MOSIER) Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A specified amount is set-aside for costs to carry out railroad accident investigations and investigations of significant railroad incidents.

The bill requires the NTSB to investigate derailments involving a significant release of hazardous materials into the environment within close proximity to communities, personal property, or critical landscapes.

The bill expands the authority of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue emergency orders for unsafe occurrences causing, or potentially causing, an emergency or reoccurring situation involving a hazard of death, personal injury, or significant harm to the environment.

DOT shall establish and enforce a national standard for the maximum volatility of crude oil to be permitted to be shipped by rail based on the safest practicable standard.

bill reauthorizes ntsb specified set aside costs carry railroad accident investigations investigations significant railroad incidents bill requires ntsb investigate involving significant release hazardous materials environment close proximity communities personal property critical landscapes bill expands authority department_of_transportation dot issue emergency orders unsafe occurrences causing potentially causing emergency situation involving hazard death personal injury significant harm environment dot shall establish enforce national standard maximum volatility crude oil permitted shipped rail based safest practicable standard


Summary: This bill revises program requirements for the licensing or certification of locomotive operators by prohibiting the issuance of a license or certification to operate a commuter train to, or revoking such license or certification of, any individual whose license was denied, canceled, revoked, or suspended within the most recent five-year period due to being convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or a controlled substance.

bill revises program requirements licensing certification locomotive operators prohibiting issuance license certification operate commuter train revoking license certification individual license denied canceled revoked suspended recent year period convicted operating motor vehicle influence impaired alcohol controlled substance


Summary: Farmers Markets Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to eligible public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers markets, or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers markets.

assistance act directs secretary agriculture loans loan guarantees grants eligible public agencies nonprofit organizations construction new farmers markets improvement rehabilitation existing farmers markets


Summary: Hass Avocado Quality Assurance Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for mandatory minimum maturity standards for all domestic and imported Hass avocados sold to consumers in California. Provides exceptions for commercial processing and charitable and relief uses. Sets forth penalty provisions.

amends agricultural marketing act direct secretary agriculture provide mandatory minimum maturity standards domestic imported sold consumers california provides exceptions commercial processing charitable relief uses sets forth penalty provisions


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating the Farm Service Agency field office in Clark County, Indiana, until at least two years after the date of enactment of this Act.

prohibits secretary agriculture closing relocating farm_service_agency field office clark_county indiana years date enactment act


Summary: Democracy for Dairy Producers Act of 2007 - Requires, with respect to a specified referendum on federal milk marketing orders and related reforms, that: (1) if a cooperative association of milk producers elects bloc voting on behalf of its members it shall provide each member with written notice of referendum issues, its intended voting position, and individual producer voting procedures; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture adjust the association vote to reflect individual producer votes.

democracy dairy producers act requires respect specified referendum federal milk marketing orders related reforms cooperative association milk producers elects voting behalf members shall provide member written notice referendum issues intended voting position individual producer voting procedures secretary agriculture adjust association vote reflect individual producer votes


Summary: Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production and marketing contracts. Sets forth agricultural and production contract and enforcement provisions. Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to eliminate the "slaughter" requirement from the definitions of "poultry grower," "poultry growing arrangement," and "live poultry dealer." States that the term "poultry grower" does not include an employee of such grower. Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; and (2) temporary injunction or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care. Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations by live poultry dealers. States that it shall be an unlawful practice to engage in an unfair or discriminatory practice or device or to control or manipulate prices regardless of whether the practice, device, or course of business causes a competitive injury or otherwise adversely effects competition, and regardless of any alleged business justification.

amends define specified terms establishes shall headed special_counsel competition matters states office shall investigate prosecute violations act packers stockyards_act serve liaison department department_of_justice federal_trade_commission ftc respect competition trade practices food agricultural sector maintain staff attorneys appropriate professionals prohibits unfair deceptive agricultural commerce acts practices respecting crops producer associations agricultural production marketing contracts sets forth agricultural production contract enforcement provisions amends packers stockyards_act eliminate slaughter requirement definitions poultry poultry growing arrangement live poultry dealer states term poultry include employee extends administrative enforcement authority live poultry dealers temporary injunction restraining order authority instances poultry care increases maximum civil penalty violations live poultry dealers states shall unlawful practice engage unfair discriminatory practice device control prices regardless practice device course business causes competitive injury adversely effects competition regardless alleged business justification


Summary: Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require that 25% of a covered packer's daily kill comes through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. Sets forth a different percentage through 2011 for covered packers who reported in the 2006 annual report that more than 75% of their livestock were captive supply livestock Defines "covered packer," "nonaffiliated producer," and "spot market sale."

amends agricultural marketing act require covered packer daily kill comes spot market sales nonaffiliated producers sets forth different percentage covered packers reported annual report livestock captive supply livestock defines covered packer nonaffiliated producer spot market sale


Summary: Maple-Tapping Access Program Act - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to states and tribal governments to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to: (1) voluntarily make such land available for public maple-tapping activities; or (2) initiate or expand maple-tapping activities.

act amends food security act direct secretary agriculture grants states tribal governments encourage owners operators privately held farm ranch forest land voluntarily land available public maple activities initiate expand maple activities


Summary: American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to fund textile research and innovation in the U.S. textile and fiber products industry and to promote increased U.S. textile exports. Limits eligibility under such grant program to institutions of higher education and not-for-profit research institutions, including not-for-profit industry associations whose mission is to support textile research and innovation. Gives preference in the award of such grants to collaborative research organizations that emphasize peer-reviewed research by leading academic and industry experts. Requires grant funds to be used for research and development activities that achieve at least one of the goals described in this Act, including to: (1) build and sustain innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. textile industry; (2) contribute to transforming the U.S. textile and apparel industry into a highly flexible supply chain; and (3) facilitate the creation of domestic jobs in the textile industry.

act_-_directs secretary commerce establish grant program fund textile research innovation textile fiber products industry promote increased textile exports limits eligibility grant program institutions higher education profit research institutions including profit industry associations mission support textile research innovation gives preference award grants collaborative research organizations emphasize peer reviewed research leading academic industry experts requires grant funds research development activities achieve goals described act including build sustain innovation competitiveness textile industry contribute transforming textile apparel industry highly flexible supply chain facilitate creation domestic jobs textile industry


Summary: Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require that 25% of a covered packer's daily kill comes through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. Sets forth a different percentage for covered packers who reported in the 2008 annual report that more than 75% of their livestock were captive supply livestock

amends agricultural marketing act require covered packer daily kill comes spot market sales nonaffiliated producers sets forth different percentage covered packers reported annual report livestock captive supply livestock


Summary: Maple Tapping Access Program Act of 2009 - Amends the the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a voluntary public access program under which states and tribal governments may apply for grants to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make such land available for public maple-tapping activities. Gives priority to states and tribal governments that propose to: (1) maximize participation by offering program terms likely to meet with landowner acceptance; (2) ensure that enrolled land has appropriate tree stock; and (3) use additional federal, state, tribal, or private resources in carrying out the program.

amends food security act direct secretary agriculture establish voluntary public access program states tribal governments apply grants encourage owners operators privately held farm ranch forest land voluntarily land available public maple activities gives priority states tribal governments propose maximize participation offering program terms likely meet landowner acceptance ensure enrolled land appropriate tree stock use additional federal state tribal private resources carrying program


Summary: Beef Checkoff Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the Beef Research and Information Act to require a beef promotion and research order to provide that: (1) at least 30% of U.S. producer assessments be made available to promote and market products derived from cattle born and raised in the United States; and (2) an amount collected from importers shall be reserved to promote products derived from cattle not born and raised in the United States. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, beginning in 2010 and at least every seven years thereafter, upon receipt of a petition of a group comprising 10% or more of cattle producers, to conduct a referendum to: (1) determine whether cattle producers favor the termination or suspension of the order; and (2) vote on any other amendments to the order.

beef checkoff modernization act amends require beef promotion research order provide producer assessments available promote market products derived cattle born raised united_states collected importers shall reserved promote products derived cattle born raised united_states requires secretary agriculture beginning seven years receipt petition group comprising cattle producers conduct referendum determine cattle producers favor termination suspension order vote amendments order


Summary: Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a program, to be known as the Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion Program, to promote community-supported agriculture (CSA). Defines the term "CSA" to mean a farm operated in a manner consistent with community-supported agriculture, as defined by the Secretary. States that the purposes of the program are to: (1) increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by improving and expanding, or assisting in the improvement or expansion of, domestic CSA programs; (2) aid in the development of new CSA programs; and (3) increase participation in CSA in low-income areas or food deserts. Makes nonprofit corporations, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, local governments, and public benefit corporations eligible to receive grants under the program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under the program.

amends energy act direct secretary agriculture usda carry program known promote community supported agriculture csa defines term csa mean farm operated manner consistent community supported agriculture defined secretary states purposes program increase domestic consumption agricultural commodities improving expanding assisting improvement expansion domestic csa programs aid development new csa programs increase participation csa low income areas food makes nonprofit corporations agricultural cooperatives producer networks local governments public benefit corporations eligible receive grants program directs secretary establish criteria guidelines submission evaluation funding proposed projects program


Summary: Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a Healthy Food Financing Initiative to: (1) improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas; (2) create quality jobs; and (3) revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved urban, suburban, and rural areas.

establish department_of_agriculture usda healthy food financing initiative improve access healthy foods underserved areas create quality jobs revitalize low income communities providing loans grants eligible food retailers overcome higher costs initial barriers entry underserved urban suburban rural areas


Summary: Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion Act - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a Community-Supported Agriculture Promotion program to promote community-supported agriculture. Provides Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding for the program through FY2018.

energy act direct secretary agriculture usda carry program promote community supported agriculture ccc funding program fy2018


Summary:
Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an initiative to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible fresh food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial entry barriers in underserved areas.

Provides that funds shall be used to: (1) create revolving loan pools of capital and provide grants to finance eligible projects or partnerships, and (2) provide technical assistance and limited administrative expenses.

Requires projects to accept SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits.

direct secretary agriculture usda establish initiative improve access healthy foods underserved areas create preserve quality jobs revitalize low income communities providing loans grants eligible fresh food retailers overcome higher costs initial entry barriers underserved areas provides funds shall create revolving loan pools capital provide grants finance eligible projects partnerships provide technical assistance limited administrative expenses requires projects accept snap known food stamps benefits


Summary:
Farmer Identity Protection Act - Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any EPA contractor or cooperator, from disclosing the information of any owner, operator, or employee of a livestock operation provided to EPA by a livestock producer or a state agency in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any other law, including: (1) names; (2) telephone numbers; (3) e-mail addresses; (4) physical addresses; (5) global positioning system coordinates; or (6) other information regarding the location of the owner, operator, livestock, or employee.

Prescribes criteria for such a disclosure, however, in a statistical or aggregate form without specifically identifying information.

epa epa contractor cooperator disclosing information owner operator employee livestock operation provided epa livestock producer state agency accordance federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act law including names telephone numbers mail addresses physical addresses global positioning system coordinates information location owner operator livestock employee prescribes criteria disclosure statistical aggregate form specifically identifying information


Summary:
Urban Agriculture Production Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an urban agriculture outreach program to award grants to eligible entities for: (1) infrastructure, (2) land acquisition and conversion, (3) education and training, (4) assistance to farmers or ranchers in urban areas, and (5) other activities that support urban agricultural production.

Defines "eligible entities" to include a community organization, a nonprofit organization, a municipality, a local educational agency, an institution of higher education, or other entity determined by the USDA. Requires the USDA to give preference to grants for activities in historically underserved communities.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to expand the purpose and duties of the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach to include activities on behalf of urban farmers or ranchers.

Requires the USDA to award grants for scientific research on promoting and enhancing agricultural production in urban areas.

Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to expand the Farmer's Market Promotion Program by adding loans and loan guarantees, expanding assistance for development of local food business enterprises, requiring that priority be given to grants that benefit urban areas, and providing additional funding.

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and provide additional funding.

Amends the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 to require additional USDA reporting on farmers markets and agricultural production in urban areas.

urban agriculture production act requires secretary agriculture usda establish urban agriculture outreach program award grants eligible entities infrastructure land acquisition conversion education training assistance farmers ranchers urban areas activities support urban agricultural production defines eligible entities include community organization nonprofit organization municipality local educational agency institution higher education entity determined usda requires usda preference grants activities historically underserved communities amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act expand purpose duties outreach include activities behalf urban farmers ranchers requires usda award grants scientific research promoting enhancing agricultural production urban areas amends farmer consumer direct marketing act expand farmer market promotion program adding loans loan guarantees expanding assistance development local food business enterprises requiring priority given grants benefit urban areas providing additional funding amends farm security rural investment act extend provide additional funding amends census agriculture act require additional usda reporting farmers markets agricultural production urban areas


Summary: Christmas Tree Tax Exclusion Act - Excludes "choose and cut" Christmas tree producers from the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which was authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 and includes an assessment on Christmas tree producers to fund a promotion, research, and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees.

christmas tree tax exclusion act excludes choose cut christmas tree producers department_of_agriculture usda christmas tree promotion research information order authorized information act includes assessment christmas tree producers fund promotion research information program fresh cut christmas trees


Summary: Farmer Flexibility Act of 2014 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the terms of marketing assistance loans in cases where a farmer has sold, transferred, or delivered the commodity subject to the loan to a purchaser who has filed for bankruptcy prior to payment. Provides that the extension shall last until after the bankruptcy case is closed or dismissed. Suspends the accrual of interest on the loan during the extension period.

farmer flexibility act amends agricultural act require secretary agriculture usda extend terms marketing assistance loans cases farmer sold transferred delivered commodity subject loan purchaser filed bankruptcy prior payment provides extension shall bankruptcy case closed dismissed suspends accrual interest loan extension period


Summary:
Stop Taxpayer-Funded Alcohol Marketing Act

This bill amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to prohibit the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from awarding value-added agricultural product market development grants to support the marketing of beer, wine, distilled spirits, hard cider, or other alcohol products. The bill also rescinds $8 million of the unobligated funds that were previously provided to USDA for the grants.

stop act bill amends agricultural_risk_protection_act prohibit department_of_agriculture usda awarding value added agricultural product market development grants support marketing beer wine distilled spirits hard cider alcohol products bill rescinds million unobligated funds previously provided usda grants


Summary:
Dairy Margin Insurance Location Calculation Act of 2016 or the Dairy MILC Act of 2016

This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to calculate the average feed cost for the Dairy Margin Protection Program using data from each state rather than the national average. USDA must also take into consideration costs for energy, transportation, and labor.

(The Dairy Margin Protection Program makes payments to participating farmers when actual dairy production margins fall below a farmer-selected insured margin. Average feed costs are part of the formula used to calculate actual dairy production margins.)

dairy margin insurance location calculation act dairy act bill amends agricultural act require department_of_agriculture usda calculate average feed cost data state national average usda consideration costs energy transportation labor dairy margin protection program makes payments participating farmers actual dairy production margins fall farmer selected insured margin average feed costs formula calculate actual dairy production margins


Summary:
Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify excise taxes and tax credits that apply to wine.

The bill expands the small wine producer tax credit to include anyone who produces wine in or imports wine into the United States. It also sets forth: (1) rates for the credit based on the amount of wine which is removed during the year for consumption or sale, and (2) adjustments to the credit for hard cider.

The bill increases: (1) the percentage of alcohol by volume limitation for taxation of a still wine, and (2) the carbonation limitation for taxation as still wine.

It reduces the excise tax rates on: (1) champagne and other sparkling wines, and (2) artificially carbonated wines.

wine excise tax modernization act bill amends internal_revenue_code modify excise taxes tax credits apply wine bill expands small wine producer tax credit include produces wine imports wine united_states sets forth rates credit based wine removed year consumption sale adjustments credit hard cider bill increases percentage alcohol volume limitation taxation wine limitation taxation wine reduces excise tax rates wines artificially wines


Summary:
Timber Innovation Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a performance-driven research and development program to advance tall wood building construction in the United States.

"Tall wood building" means a building designed to be over 85 feet high and constructed with large panelized wood construction (mass timber), including cross-laminated timber, nail laminated timber, glue laminated timber, laminated strand lumber, and laminated veneer lumber.

 USDA shall for FY2017-FY2021 carry out an annual competition for a tall wood building design in accordance with the requirements for prize competitions carried out under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

In carrying out a wood innovation grant program, USDA may make a wood innovation grant to one or more specified eligible entities in order to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies in the development of innovative wood products for tall wood building construction.

USDA shall give priority to grant proposals which include the use or retrofitting (or both) of existing sawmill facilities in counties where the average annual unemployment rate exceeded the national average by more than 1% in the previous year.

USDA shall carry out a program of education and technical assistance for mass timber applications.

USDA shall collaborate and partner with one or more nonfederal entities, including governments of other countries, to:

 enhance tall wood building commercialization of the United States, develop technical assistance related to tall wood building commercialization, and carry out the program.

timber innovation act bill directs department_of_agriculture usda establish performance driven research development program advance wood building construction united_states wood building means building designed feet high constructed large wood construction mass timber including cross laminated timber laminated timber laminated timber laminated lumber laminated lumber usda shall fy2017 fy2021 carry annual competition wood building design accordance requirements prize competitions carried stevenson-wydler_technology innovation act carrying wood innovation grant program usda wood innovation grant specified eligible entities order accelerate adoption emerging technologies development innovative wood products wood building construction usda shall priority grant proposals include use retrofitting existing facilities counties average annual unemployment rate exceeded national average previous year usda shall carry program education technical assistance mass timber applications usda shall collaborate partner nonfederal entities including governments countries enhance wood building commercialization united_states develop technical assistance related wood building commercialization carry program


Summary:
Low Alcohol Wine Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require mead and low alcohol by volume wine to be taxed at the same rate as still wines containing not more than 14% of alcohol by volume.

Mead is a wine that: (1) contains not more than 0.64 grams of carbon dioxide per hundred milliliters of wine with an exception for a limit that is reasonably necessary in good commercial practice, (2) is derived solely from honey and water, (3) contains no fruit product or fruit flavoring, and (4) contains less than 8.5% alcohol by volume.

A low alcohol by volume wine is a wine that: (1) contains not more than 0.64 grams of carbon dioxide per hundred milliliters of wine with an exception for a limit that is reasonably necessary in good commercial practice, (2) is derived primarily from grapes or from grape juice concentrate and water, (3) contains no fruit product or fruit flavoring other than grape, and (4) contains less than 8.5% alcohol by volume.

low alcohol wine act bill amends internal_revenue_code require mead low alcohol volume wine taxed rate wines containing alcohol volume mead wine contains grams carbon dioxide milliliters wine exception limit reasonably necessary good commercial practice derived solely honey water contains fruit product fruit flavoring contains alcohol volume low alcohol volume wine wine contains grams carbon dioxide milliliters wine exception limit reasonably necessary good commercial practice derived primarily juice concentrate water contains fruit product fruit flavoring contains alcohol volume


Summary:
Urban Agriculture Production Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an urban agriculture outreach program to award grants to support outreach activities for: (1) infrastructure, (2) land acquisition and conversion, (3) education and training, (4) technical and financial assistance to farmers or ranchers in urban areas, and (5) other activities that support urban agriculture. USDA must give preference to grants for activities in historically underserved communities.

The bill amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to expand the purpose and duties of USDA's Office of Advocacy and Outreach to include activities on behalf of urban farmers or ranchers.

USDA must award grants, on a competitive basis, for scientific and community-based participatory research related to urban agriculture. The bill provides specified funds for the grants and requires USDA to give priority to outreach activities to be carried out in historically underserved communities.

The bill amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to: (1) establish a program to provide loans and loan guarantees for projects or activities to establish, expand, and promote direct producer-to-consumer marketing and assist in the development of local food business enterprises; and (2) extend and provide additional funding for the Farmers' Market Promotion Program.

The bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and provide additional funding.

The bill amends the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 to require additional USDA reporting on farmers' markets and agricultural production in urban areas.

urban agriculture production act bill requires department_of_agriculture usda establish urban agriculture outreach program award grants support outreach activities infrastructure land acquisition conversion education training technical financial assistance farmers ranchers urban areas activities support urban agriculture usda preference grants activities historically underserved communities bill amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act expand purpose duties usda include activities behalf urban farmers ranchers usda award grants competitive basis scientific community based research related urban agriculture bill provides specified funds grants requires usda priority outreach activities carried historically underserved communities bill amends farmer consumer direct marketing act establish program provide loans loan guarantees projects activities establish expand promote direct producer consumer marketing assist development local food business enterprises extend provide additional funding bill amends farm_security rural investment act extend provide additional funding bill amends require additional usda reporting farmers markets agricultural production urban areas


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Charitable Agricultural Research Act

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction for a charitable contribution to an agricultural research organization directly engaged in the continuous active conduct of agricultural research, and (2) make prohibitions against expenditures to influence legislation applicable to such organizations.

(Sec. 3) Increases from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments made after 180 days after the enactment of this Act to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec amends internal revenue code allow tax deduction charitable contribution agricultural research organization directly engaged continuous active conduct agricultural research prohibitions expenditures influence legislation applicable organizations sec increases rate continuous levy payments days enactment act medicare providers suppliers unpaid taxes


Summary:
Timber Innovation Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a performance-driven research and development program to advance tall wood building construction in the United States.

"Tall wood building" means a building designed to be over 85 feet high and constructed with large panelized wood construction (mass timber), including cross-laminated timber, nail laminated timber, glue laminated timber, laminated strand lumber, and laminated veneer lumber.

 USDA shall for FY2017-FY2021 carry out an annual competition for a tall wood building design in accordance with the requirements for prize competitions carried out under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

In carrying out a wood innovation grant program, USDA may make a wood innovation grant to one or more specified eligible entities in order to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies in the development of innovative wood products for tall wood building construction.

USDA shall carry out a program of education and technical assistance for mass timber applications.

USDA shall collaborate and partner with one or more nonfederal entities, including governments of other countries, to:

 enhance tall wood building commercialization of the United States, develop technical assistance related to tall wood building commercialization, and carry out the program.

timber innovation act bill directs department_of_agriculture usda establish performance driven research development program advance wood building construction united_states wood building means building designed feet high constructed large wood construction mass timber including cross laminated timber laminated timber laminated timber laminated lumber laminated lumber usda shall fy2017 fy2021 carry annual competition wood building design accordance requirements prize competitions carried stevenson-wydler_technology innovation act carrying wood innovation grant program usda wood innovation grant specified eligible entities order accelerate adoption emerging technologies development innovative wood products wood building construction usda shall carry program education technical assistance mass timber applications usda shall collaborate partner nonfederal entities including governments countries enhance wood building commercialization united_states develop technical assistance related wood building commercialization carry program


Summary:
Urban Agriculture Act of 2016

This bill amends several agricultural laws to establish an Office of Urban Agriculture within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and make urban agricultural activities eligible to receive funding from various USDA programs.

The Office of Urban Agriculture must:

 manage programs, coordinate agencies, and advise USDA on urban agriculture and urban food systems; continue a community garden program; and establish a rooftop agriculture and outdoor vertical production program. The bill includes urban agricultural activities in several existing and new grant, loan, risk management, and research programs. It also authorizes and provides funding for several of the programs.

USDA must conduct various studies and collect specified data related to urban agriculture. USDA must also establish a voluntary farmer-to-farmer assistance and mentorship program.

USDA must take several actions related to soil assessment and remediation, including:

 establishing a coordinated soil testing protocol, coordinating and conducting research to inform the protocol and soil remediation practices with respect to soil contaminated with high levels of heavy metals or other contaminants, and establishing a national soil testing and remediation program to provide related technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers. The bill establishes pilot programs for USDA to: (1) increase municipal compost and food waste reduction activities; and (2) make grants for projects that strengthen marketplace links between healthy food consumption, good environmental practices, and direct public health outcomes.

urban agriculture act bill amends agricultural laws establish department_of_agriculture usda urban agricultural activities eligible receive funding usda programs manage programs coordinate agencies advise usda urban agriculture urban food systems continue community garden program establish agriculture outdoor production program bill includes urban agricultural activities existing new grant loan risk management research programs authorizes provides funding programs usda conduct studies collect specified data related urban agriculture usda establish voluntary farmer farmer assistance mentorship program usda actions related soil assessment remediation including establishing coordinated soil testing protocol coordinating conducting research inform protocol soil remediation practices respect soil contaminated high levels heavy metals contaminants establishing national soil testing remediation program provide related technical financial assistance agricultural producers bill establishes pilot programs usda increase municipal food waste reduction activities grants projects strengthen marketplace links healthy food consumption good environmental practices direct public health outcomes


Summary: Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS in India.

amends state_department basic authorities act provide assistance combat hiv aids india


Summary: Prosperous and Secure Neighbor Alliance Act of 2007 - States that it is U.S. policy to increase U.S. foreign assistance to improve security and promote economic development in Mexico, both of which are crucial to combat illicit drugs and drug-related violence and other criminal activities in Mexico and the United States. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to provide assistance to improve security and promote economic development in Mexico by: (1) professionalizing Mexican law enforcement personnel; (2) providing technology to assist Mexican law enforcement personnel; (3) strengthening the Mexican judicial branch; (4) supporting anti-corruption programs in Mexico; and (5) reducing poverty through targeted funding to enhance social development in Mexico.

secure neighbor alliance act 2007_-_states policy increase foreign assistance improve security promote economic development mexico combat illicit drugs drug related violence criminal activities mexico united_states amends foreign assistance act direct president provide assistance improve security promote economic development mexico mexican law enforcement personnel providing technology assist mexican law enforcement personnel strengthening mexican judicial branch supporting anti corruption programs mexico reducing poverty targeted funding enhance social development mexico


Summary: Global Democracy Promotion Act - Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.

foreign nongovernmental organizations shall ineligible assistance foreign assistance act solely basis health medical services including counseling referral services provided non government funds services violate laws country provided violate federal law provided united_states shall subject requirements relating use government funds advocacy lobbying activities apply nongovernmental organizations receiving assistance


Summary: Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to make Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic eligible for assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.

amends state_department basic authorities act belize dominican_republic eligible assistance combat hiv aids


Summary: Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide assistance for voluntary family planning programs in developing countries, including activities to: (1) improve public knowledge of voluntary family planning programs; (2) support public and private voluntary family planning programs, including networks for community-based and subsidized commercial distribution of contraceptives; (3) expand training for health care providers and educators; (4) provide improved coordination between voluntary family planning programs and programs that receive U.S. assistance for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; and (5) strengthen supply chain logistics for the procurement and distribution of safe contraceptives, including coordination with the supply chain for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. Gives priority to developing countries with acute family planning and maternal health needs.

amends foreign assistance act authorize president united_states_agency international_development usaid provide assistance voluntary family planning programs developing countries including activities improve public knowledge voluntary family planning programs support public private voluntary family planning programs including networks community based subsidized commercial distribution contraceptives expand training health care providers educators provide improved coordination voluntary family planning programs programs receive assistance prevention hiv aids sexually transmitted infections strengthen supply chain logistics procurement distribution safe contraceptives including coordination supply chain hiv aids prevention care treatment gives priority developing countries acute family planning maternal health needs


Summary: Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the President to furnish assistance for tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment, and elimination.(Current law authorizes such assistance.) Gives priority to activities described in the Stop TB Strategy (as defined by this Act). Revises related fund use provisions. Authorizes the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide increased resources to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership to improve the capacity of countries with high TB rates and other affected countries to implement the Stop TB Strategy and specific strategies related to addressing drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Authorizes: (1) FY2008-FY2009 appropriations for the President to carry activities to combat tuberculosis; and (2) set-asides from such amounts for global tuberculosis activities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

stop tuberculosis act amends foreign assistance act require president furnish assistance tuberculosis prevention treatment law authorizes assistance gives priority activities described defined act revises related fund use provisions authorizes president united_states_agency international_development usaid provide increased resources improve capacity countries high rates affected countries implement specific strategies related addressing drug resistant tuberculosis authorizes fy2008 fy2009 appropriations president carry activities combat tuberculosis set asides amounts global tuberculosis activities centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc