[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 875 Reported in House (RH)]
Union Calendar No. 23
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 875
[Report No. 108-36]
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for security
improvements to over-the-road bus operations, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 25, 2003
Mr. Young of Alaska (for himself, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Graves,
Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Pascrell, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of
Texas, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Gary G. Miller of California, and Mr. Petri)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
March 13, 2003
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for security
improvements to over-the-road bus operations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Over-the-Road Bus Security and
Safety Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. EMERGENCY OVER-THE-ROAD BUS SECURITY ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation, acting through
the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,
shall establish a program for making grants to private operators of
over-the-road buses for system-wide security improvements to their
operations, including--
(1) constructing and modifying terminals, garages,
facilities, or over-the-road buses to assure their security;
(2) protecting or isolating the driver;
(3) acquiring, upgrading, installing, or operating
equipment, software, or accessorial services for collection,
storage, or exchange of passenger and driver information
through ticketing systems or otherwise, and information links
with government agencies;
(4) training employees in recognizing and responding to
security threats, evacuation procedures, passenger screening
procedures, and baggage inspection;
(5) hiring and training security officers;
(6) installing cameras and video surveillance equipment on
over-the-road buses and at terminals, garages, and over-the-
road bus facilities;
(7) creating a program for employee identification or
background investigation;
(8) establishing an emergency communications system linked
to law enforcement and emergency personnel; and
(9) implementing and operating passenger screening programs
at terminals and on over-the-road buses.
(b) Reimbursement.--A grant under this Act may be used to provide
reimbursement to private operators of over-the-road buses for
extraordinary security-related costs for improvements described in
paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (a), determined by the
Secretary to have been incurred by such operators since September 11,
2001.
(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost for which any
grant is made under this Act shall be 90 percent.
(d) Due Consideration.--In making grants under this Act, the
Secretary shall give due consideration to private operators of over-
the-road buses that have taken measures to enhance bus transportation
security from those in effect before September 11, 2001.
(e) Grant Requirements.--A grant under this Act shall be subject to
all the terms and conditions that a grant is subject to under section
3038(f) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49
U.S.C. 5310 note; 112 Stat. 393).
SEC. 3. PLAN REQUIREMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may not make a grant under this Act
to a private operator of over-the-road buses until the operator has
first submitted to the Secretary--
(1) a plan for making security improvements described in
section 2 and the Secretary has approved the plan; and
(2) such additional information as the Secretary may
require to ensure accountability for the obligation and
expenditure of amounts made available to the operator under the
grant.
(b) Coordination.--To the extent that an application for a grant
under this section proposes security improvements within a specific
terminal owned and operated by an entity other than the applicant, the
applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that
the applicant has coordinated the security improvements for the
terminal with that entity.
SEC. 4. OVER-THE-ROAD BUS DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ``over-the-road bus'' means a bus
characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage
compartment.
SEC. 5. BUS SECURITY ASSESSMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a preliminary report in accordance with the
requirements of this section.
(b) Contents of Preliminary Report.--The preliminary report shall
include--
(1) an assessment of the over-the-road bus security grant
program;
(2) an assessment of actions already taken to address
identified security issues by both public and private entities
and recommendations on whether additional safety and security
enforcement actions are needed;
(3) an assessment of whether additional legislation is
needed to provide for the security of Americans traveling on
over-the-road buses;
(4) an assessment of the economic impact that security
upgrades of buses and bus facilities may have on the over-the-
road bus transportation industry and its employees;
(5) an assessment of ongoing research and the need for
additional research on over-the-road bus security, including
engine shut-off mechanisms, chemical and biological weapon
detection technology, and the feasibility of
compartmentalization of the driver; and
(6) an assessment of industry best practices to enhance
security.
(c) Consultation With Industry, Labor, and Other Groups.--In
carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with over-the-
road bus management and labor representatives, public safety and law
enforcement officials, and the National Academy of Sciences.
SEC. 6. FUNDING.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Transportation to carry out this Act $99,000,000 for fiscal years 2003
and 2004. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
Union Calendar No. 23
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 875
[Report No. 108-36]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for security
improvements to over-the-road bus operations, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
March 13, 2003
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed